I will never understand earphones use outside

Aesop101

I often go for walks and hikes. I love the outdoors. When I'm out I look for critters, listen to the sounds of nature, and watch the people doing whatever they do. I also like to hear when a bike or pedestrian approach. Then of course if I cross a street I like to hear an auto approaching.

So I never understand how you can be out with those elements and choose to blind yourself to the beauty around and the hazards as well.

A year or so back there was a guy jogging on the beach with his headphones on when a ultra-light struck him and killed him. Imagine jogging on the beach with the sea gulls and the ocean and tuning them out. Then of course not hearing the ultra-light approaching.

geckoseven

Music has a euphoric affect about it, it also helps drown the noise of traffic, and other distractions.

andyj1984

When I am walking to and from work (its about 40 minutes each way) I always listen to music, but I am walking through the city centre, and frankly what I am listening to is preferable to the noise made by cars, buses, people, etc...

When I go hiking or biking I never take music with me, since the sound of nature is much better. I think it depends on where you are walking/biking/exercising.

mckshowie

if you run to music... you tend to run about 15% faster and work harder. and you can't hear yourself huffing and puffing...

Kimmer2011

When I'm listening to upbeat, fast music, I walk faster. Also, although my walk isn't unpleasant, it isn't as idyllic as walking on a beach, listening to waves and birds. I never have it so loud that I can't hear what's going on around me.

firedrgn2000

It's not for everyone and you are entitled to your opinion. I use headphones when out walking for exercise because the music keeps me going. I keep my volume down enough so that I can hear what's going on around me. When I go for hikes in nature, I don't take music along with me, only when I'm exercising.

TheGoktor

I have one earbud in when I am out running because I need to hear my cues, plus my playlist helps me with my run. I can still hear everything going on around me though! When I walk into town to the market, I really don't want to be listening to people arguing with each other, shouting at their kids, or just being...well, people, I suppose.....so I put both earbuds in! I don't have my music so loud that I can't hear traffic or oncoming buggies!

When I'm out for a walk, like the OP, I want to be able to experience nature at its fullest - it wouldn't occur to me to have my ears in then!

Aesop101

I will always err on the side of safety. Then I like greeting people along the way. Most victims became victims because they weren't paying attention to their environment.

It's neat to hear a rustle in the leaves and see a small critter scurrying about. It's neat to hear birds and learn the songs they sing.

Cletc

if you run to music... you tend to run about 15% faster and work harder. and you can't hear yourself huffing and puffing...

This is why I don't listen to anything while jogging....I'll over-do it without realizing it

:drinker:

TheMaidOfAstolat

I will always err on the side of safety. Then I like greeting people along the way. Most victims became victims because they weren't paying attention to their environment.

It's neat to hear a rustle in the leaves and see a small critter scurrying about. It's neat to hear birds and learn the songs they sing.

I always have my music with me when I'm out for a run...I also carry my pepper spray, lol. I won't allow myself to become a victim.

When I hike...I don't listen to music though...I do enjoy the sounds of nature.

Kityngirl

When I walk or run for exercise, it's usually around the city so there isn't too much to listen to besides cars. I don't have earbuds either so I can pretty much hear everything going on around me unless I blast the music. If I'm out on a leisurely walk or hiking in the woods then I don't take my music with me. To each their own. :happy:

kapeluza

If I am walking through my neighborhood, I don't use any headphones just for safety. When I walk at a jogging trial, there is a very popular one here with many joggers, then I use headphones simply because you don't have to cross streets or worry about oncoming traffic!

Ezwoldo

When ever I go for a ride alone I always have my I pod on otherwise I get bored and go home too early, helps me focus better, I don't really worry too much about the other things on the road as they are quite roads anyway.

jabbogurl

I can't run without my headphones. If my music goes out during a run, I almost lose all motivation and its so hard to finish. As far as safety issues, I stay on the sidewalks and the jogger path. My neighborhood isn't busy during the day when I run, but I still pause when crossing the street and check for traffic. Never had an issue, even with all of the construction and building of houses going on.

laceylovespink

When I run I think I sound like a hippo. In races ecspecially, I don't want to be worrying about what I sound like to everyone else...weird, I know. Recently I've been running with just one earphone in, i wish someone MADE just one earphone so the other wouldn't have to be hanging all of the time...

TheGoktor

When I run I think I sound like a hippo. In races ecspecially, I don't want to be worrying about what I sound like to everyone else...weird, I know. Recently I've been running with just one earphone in, i wish someone MADE just one earphone so the other wouldn't have to be hanging all of the time...

I agree! I have to tuck my spare into my armband otherwise it tends to whip me! :laugh:

Behavior_Modification

You must not live in or near a city because if you did you might understand. You don't hear nature in the city.

Plus if I listen to upbeat music I will go faster to keep up with the beat.

Heather75

I don't listen to music when I run, because I would have an irresistible urge to start dancing, which would make me look like an bigger *kitten*.

Also, I run on a nature trail and I like to hear the sounds of nature. Plus. no killers can sneak up on me.

Jovialation

I dont leave the house alone without headphones. Especially if Im going to be on public transit. I just dont like to run the risk of interacting with strangers

LorinaLynn

I run faster with music. I have it low enough that I can hear traffic and stuff.

But what irks me about ear buds is that they make the wind noises seem louder. When it was cold out that psyched me out. It doesn't bother me now that the wind is "a cooling breeze" rather than "an arctic blast."

nurse_carolyn

music is an inspiration to people to help them get through their workouts but you do have a good point

shelcof

I go either way depending on my mood...if its a peaceful morning, I love to listen to the birds. BUT there are times when I need some good kick butt music to keep me moving

lovejoydavid

I just dont like to run the risk of interacting with strangers

There it is!

lovejoydavid

if you run to music... you tend to run about 15% faster and work harder. and you can't hear yourself huffing and puffing...

Just like caffeine, the perfomance ehancement of music seems to wane with extended use. It is currently advised to try at least one run a week without, so as to jumpstart the benefit. I actually have never run a half or full marathon with my music (some won't let you anyway).

Jovialation

I just dont like to run the risk of interacting with strangers

There it is!

Social anxiety. Im nervous enough out in public as it is. I dont need people making it worse.
It really makes me twitch when they try to get me to take out the earphones to talk to them, too.

Besides the fact that my mind in anything resembling silence tends to run away with itself.

Seajolly

I always wear headphones when I'm out for a walk or jog in my neighborhood, but it's never too loud that I can't hear a car approaching or something moving in the brush next to me. I walk on a busy road so it's important that I can hear people or cars nearby, but I also listen to music at the same time because it helps me go farther and work harder because it is distracting and makes time go by faster.

When I'm walking or jogging in the woods (for a hike) or on the beach, I don't listen to music because the sounds of nature are relaxing.

peteyTwang

Unfortunately, we don't all have that luxury of being in such close proximity to nature so wearing headphones obviously can depend on where and what kind you choose as well --- headphones are not all alike! after plenty of trial and error these are the ones i use PMX 680i- http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headphones_sport-line_504604

you can still hear external noises... they do not budge, complete sweat/waterproof - you can run them underwater to clean them! ... and this just happened since the last time I posted something about them here on MFP in one of these headphone threads...when my iPhone started crapping out a bit giving me some intermittent sound issues and I thought it was the headphones I sent the headphones back to sennheiser and they sent me a brand new set NO QUESTIONS ASKED!

i have been told there are other brands with this behind the ear attachment setup - i don't know if that's true or what they are but the way that they sit on your head is the best feature.... on top of not being able to hear external sounds wearing traditional iPod in-ear earbuds... those styles get saturated with sweat when you run or exert yourself and very quickly this will cut out left and right channels and make them not only unlistenable but VERY uncomfortable

wriglucy

I can see using music for working out and running and all. But just for a leisurely walk and not a work out...I agree. I like the nature too. I work and go to school at a big university, and the majority of students listen to music to and from class. Like...the second they get out the door...they're putting their head phones on. We like to call it "ipod oblivian," because so many of them don't realize what's going on around them.

But hey...to each their own

lovejoydavid

I just dont like to run the risk of interacting with strangers

There it is!

Social anxiety. Im nervous enough out in public as it is. I dont need people making it worse.
It really makes me twitch when they try to get me to take out the earphones to talk to them, too.

Besides the fact that my mind in anything resembling silence tends to run away with itself.

I am a huge advocate of public transportation, but I end up bike commuting quite a lot. And, it is not for fitness! It is, in fact, to avoid weirdos.

Samerah12

I don't listen to music when I run, because I would have an irresistible urge to start dancing, which would make me look like an bigger *kitten*.

I believe I have perfected the dance-run. As well as the air guitar/air drum/air violin-run. Its a fine art.

To each his own. Don't want to listen to music? Don't listen to music!

RoadDog

Running or walking with earphones outdoors inhibits your ability to be aware of your surroundings and makes you a potential victim of predators -- human or non-human.