I was wondering what people have found to be the solution to headphones while training… I used to use the ones that came with my Ipod but they suck, tried the nike ones and didn’t like them either… HELP!
David J.
ASU SUN DEVILS
I’m going to get slammed for this one…but…who cares…slam away. I use a small cheap ear peice in my right ear while biking. Not everytime but about 4 days per week, I ride very day. I put the mp3 player in my jersey pocket and run the wire up through my jersey and out the collar. I only use 1 ear piece, never both! I think I got it at Radio Shack for a few dollars. I don’t use them while running, I hate the bouncing up and down. Also…I don’t use them if I ride with anyone else.
I am not making this up. There is a current, and recently installed, city ordinance in Dearborn, Michigan against exercising outdoors with headphones. I don’t know the number or the name of the legislation, but it is real. I don’t know that it applies to running and walking, but I am certain it applies to cycling.
Dearborn city government is pretty conservative and includes code violations for places advertising “massage therapy” even if it is a chiropractor or physical therpay clinic. As far as the city is concerned, “massage therapy” falls under the guidelines of “adult entertainment” and must be treated as such. The three massage therapists in the city currently operating had to petition for variances from the code to get certificates of occupancy.
Anyway.
It’s safe to use headphones on a treadmill and an indoor trainer and a good way to keep annoying people away at a health club. But I think it is too dangerous outside. Too many things can go wrong. A guy was actually killed by a train a few years ago near hear wearing headphones.
I would recommend against doing it outside.
All I have to say is - he should have been paying attention!! I can hear cars coming from behind, well before they get to me. If the headphones caused him to be hit because he didn’t hear the train, his headphones were way too loud AND he wasn’t paying attention. I’ll bet I can hear better on my bike with the one ear piece in my right ear then 99% of the motorists out there with windows up (or down ) and their radio on or talking on the cell phone or babbling with other people in the car.
In most jurisdictions bicycles are “motor vehicles”. ALL traffic laws apply. In those jurisdictions it is illegal to drive any motor vehicle while wearing headphones in both ears. It is legal, in most places to use a headphone in one ear. (I was a cop for 22 years)
I guess I am a bit surprised that, as a peace officer, you do not condemn the use of headphones for training.
In fairness to you, however, I seem to recall alchohol being involved in the (in)famous train track/headphone incident here in Dearborn.
I only use the Sony yellow ones, they are fairly water resistant, if they get too wet and stop working, just hang them out to dry and they’ll work again the next day. One warning, I think they have changed the color so they are now white/gray with just a little yellow.