Women's Health July 29, 2026 0 Comments

These Workout Headphones Didn’t Just Survive My Toughest Sessions — They Transformed Them: Here’s How You Can Too

Ever wonder if your headphones could double as your personal fitness coach? Well, let me tell you, the latest Apple AirPods Pro have gone beyond just pumping your jams—they’re quietly tracking your heart rate, steps, and calories right through your ears. It’s like having a gym buddy who never says a word but knows exactly how hard you’re grinding. From sweaty sprints to heavy lifting, these earbuds deliver crystal-clear sound and a fit so snug you might forget you’re wearing them—until you check your Apple Health app and see just how much effort you’ve put in. And if you ask me, ditching yet another fitness tracker for something this sleek? Total game-changer. Ready to dive into why these might just be your next workout essential? LEARN MORE

The Apple AirPods Pro have always been a reliable pair of headphones for me, and the latest third generation is even better. Whether I’m biking or struggling through heavy reps, it delivers a premium experience, including impressive sound and a comfortable fit. And the latest edition further proves its God-tier status: heart rate, step, and calorie tracking.

It has a sensor that deciphers your pulse through your ear canals, which then calculates calories burned based on heart rate. I like to keep tabs on my heart rate during high-intensity cardio, so it’s a great alternative to wearing a fitness tracker. Just make sure the fit is right to get an accurate reading (four silicone ear cup sizes are available).

It also has motion sensors that can track your steps. All data transfers to the Apple Health app, so you need to own an iPhone or iPad. Luckily, I recently converted (sorry, Android).

When I’m grinding hard at the gym, I want to hear nothing around me except my hype house music. The active noise cancellation drowns out any grunters, loud gym music, TVs, and general unnecessary background noise. I feel like it’s just me and my music, so that I can laser-focus on the task at hand.

But when I need to maintain awareness during outdoor runs, I turn on transparency mode to hear oncoming traffic and people nearby. I also like that it automatically lowers my music when it detects me talking to someone.

It has an IP57 rating, meaning it’s sweat and dust-resistant, and can be submerged in a meter of water for up to 30 minutes in case of any accidental puddle drops (been there). As someone who sweats a lot, each bud repels moisture very well and doesn’t fall out of my ears when jumping or running. Plus, sweat never clogs my ears—something I experienced with regular AirPods.

Battery life could be better for all-day wear, but it’s good for workouts (assuming you’re not working out all day). I hit the gym after work, and the power is always drained after an eight-hour day. On the flip side, it’s easy to juice up in 15 minutes with the charging case (it offers up to 30 hours of battery life per charge). To fully restore the battery, make sure to charge overnight.

Read More: Best Fitness Trackers