Get Your Ear Tip Size Right

When it comes to workout headphones, one of the most common issues is that they don’t stay in place during heavy cardio. This is often due to a fit problem. Stock silicone tips are designed to fit the average ear, but they may not be the right option for everyone. If your earbuds feel like they’re working their way out mid-workout, it’s likely a fit problem.

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Memory foam tips can solve two problems at once: they mold to your ear canal for a passive noise seal, and that same seal creates enough friction to keep earbuds locked in during movement. Many earbud manufacturers, such as Apple, offer custom ear tips for their products. For example, you can buy new ear tips for your AirPods for around $10. Alternatively, you can look for third-party options, but be sure to choose ones that are specifically designed for your earbuds.

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Another option is to use ear hooks, which can be purchased separately or come built-in with some earbuds. Ear hooks are designed to clip onto the earbud body and hook around the outer ear, keeping them securely in place during exercise. They’re often made of a sweat-resistant material and can withstand heavy use. Some earbuds, like the Suunto Spark open-ear headphones, come with built-in ear hook designs. If you’re in the market for new earbuds, consider looking for ones with this feature.

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Dial in an EQ Specifically for Your Workout

Most people leave their EQ on the same setting they use for podcasts or everyday listening, but this may not be the best choice for a workout. A track that sounds perfectly balanced at rest can sound thin and tinny during intense exercise. A general rule of thumb for a workout is to use a mild bass boost and a slight treble lift to punch through ambient noise. Everyone’s preferences are different, so experiment with different EQ settings to find what works best for you.

Many earbud companion apps, such as Shokz, Bose, Beats, Jabra, and more, allow you to save custom EQ profiles. This means you can set up a specific EQ setting for your workout and easily access it with a single tap. If your earbuds support saved EQ profiles, take advantage of this feature to enhance your workout experience.

Bonus hack: if you use podcasts to pace easy workouts, try speeding them up slightly to around 1.25x. This can help increase your stride turnover without you consciously trying to run faster. It’s a small change that can make a big difference in your workout.

Program Your Headphones to Trigger Your Workout Routine

If you have a pair of headphones you use exclusively for workouts, you can set up your phone to automatically trigger your workout routine when you connect those headphones. On iPhone, this can be done using the Shortcuts app under Automation. Create a new automation, choose Bluetooth as the trigger, and select your workout headphones specifically (not ‘any device’). Then, set it to run when they’re connected. You can chain in an action, like opening Strava, the second your running headphones pair.

The same trick works for call management. If you don’t want to be interrupted by a phone call mid-run, build a second automation that turns on Do Not Disturb (or a custom Focus) when your workout headphones connect, and switches it back off when they disconnect. This can help you stay focused and in the zone during your workout.

Keep Them Clean, Protected, and Sweat-Resistant Longer

IPX ratings tell you your earbuds can survive sweat, but they don’t tell you sweat won’t slowly degrade them over time. If your earbuds ever get properly wet (not just sweaty), most manufacturers recommend wiping them down with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Then, make sure you actually let them air dry for a couple of hours before using them or putting them back in the case.

Where you can actually extend their lifespan further is the case itself. Any soft case is basically decorative – it does nothing against a water bottle or dumbbell landing on top of your gym bag. A rugged hard-shell case, like the one for AirPods, is one of the cheapest upgrades you can make.

Reroute Your Cables to Control Where Sweat Actually Goes

If you’re still running with wired headphones, cable routing matters. Most people let the cord hang straight down the front of the chest, which means the sweat rolling off your collarbone might run straight down the wire toward the connector at the earbud. That connection point is where corrosion starts, which could eventually kill your wired headphones.

The fix: loop the cable up and behind your ears first, then let it drop down the back of your neck. Gravity pulls sweat down your back instead of pooling at the jack. It also stops the cable from bouncing against your chest with every stride, which is a nice bonus.