Equinox experts share their top picks for HIIT, Pilates, and more.
Fitness experts know their workouts will benefit the most from music if it's emitting from a high-quality pair of earbuds or headphones.
“I look first for comfort, then sound quality, then durability and ease of use,” says Lauren Saint-Louis, Tier X coach at Hudson Yards in New York City who recently tried out Master & Dynamic's MW07 True Wireless Earphones (now available in The Shop).
Here, she and four other Equinox experts share their top picks.
Master & Dynamic MW07 True Wireless Earphones
“This is a great pair of light, compact, and easy-to-use earbuds. They have a crisp sound and feel very noise-canceling. I’ve worn them during cardio and core work and they never feel like they’re going to fall out, even during sprints. Plus, you can’t really feel them in your ears, which is nice.” -Saint-Louis
Bose SoundSport Free wireless headphones
“I like my headphones to be waterproof, shockproof (I always drop them at some point), and for them to have a battery life of at least four hours. This pair has worked really well for me. They sound great, and they stay in when you're sweaty or you accidentally hit them with your towel while wiping away sweat.” -Michael Wollpert, marathoner, Ironman, and group fitness manager at Gold Coast in Chicago
Powerbeats Pro
"Fit is a top priority for me. The Powerbeats Pro fit snugly and I don't have to stress about them falling out while hitting explosive, plyometric movements." -Tanner Patrick, group fitness instructor who teaches several HIIT and circuit classes, including Tabata and Ropes & Rowers at Plano in Texas
Bose QuietComfort 35
"I wear these during reformer Pilates sessions when I prefer silence so I can concentrate. Their noise cancellation feature allows me to tune out every external sound and really focus on my breath, mind-body connection, and precision of movement. I also love that these stay on during beat-driven bodyweight workouts and make me feel, quite literally, like I'm at a concert." -Kara Duval, Pilates instructor at various locations in Boston and former ballerina
Yurbuds Inspire 300
“I sweat a lot, so I look for earphones that are water resistant. I wore the Yurbuds Inspire 300 for years and I swear by them; they never fell out and even stayed secure during adventure races with my dad.” -Meagan Delatte, an adventure racer, runner, dancer, and group fitness instructor at Gold Coast in Chicago