Technology: you either love it, OR love it now and hate it later. Many of us, including myself, sometimes end up sticking our noses on our phone screens before, during, and immediately after our workout. Thanks to all sorts of distractions our gadgets often offer. Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, finding the right workout app, choosing the right workout to do from that app, finding the perfect playlist and finally choosing the perfect song to start your warm-up with. Can you imagine how many Burpees you can fit in the time you spend using your phone?
Here lies the dilemma of working out with or without handheld gadgets. Most especially if a sweat sesh without music is not an option for you. I’ve seen a whole bunch of sports earphones that are wireless, yes, but not truly cord-free. That’s until the Samsung Gear IconX came out. I couldn’t be any more thankful for technology.
Since getting my hands on the Samsung Gear IconX, I always consciously (and confidently) left my phone in my gym bag without having to worry about music or tracking my workout. I have been easily updating my workout playlist each time I got on my laptop since these tiny things can store up to 4GB of music without having to connect to any device while playing.
These babies have also set a whole different standard when it comes to cord-free earphones. Designed to cut out the noise, the in-ear buds fit snugly and have absolutely no cord to connect them to each other. This smart fitness wearable knows when both buds are plugged in to your ears or when one is off. It automatically syncs with each other once you plug them in.
Being absolutely cord-free, the IconX has allowed me to move without limits. Choose the right bud size (three options come when you purchase a pair) and they stay put like glue. Trust me, I’ve tried them while doing inversions in yoga or jumping around while teaching NT Sweat. I never have to worry about my phone catapulting or my arms tripping on wires. Talk about FREEDOM.
Its advanced coaching feature keeps you motivated and allows you to track your workout. With all the distractions constantly trying to steal your focus, staying motivated and pumped up with great music throughout your workout is key to totally unleashing yourself. The Gear IconX notifies you whenever you hit a certain distance, complete a certain time and even reads your heart rate and you get to sync that to your Samsung or Android Phone via the S Health app.
If you really have to get on Spotify or the playlist you saved on your phone, the Gear IconX allows you to connect with any Bluetooth device too which is such a huge plus for me.
You’re probably going: “Okay, cool. But I’ve seen other wearables do that.” That’s true but we haven’t gotten to my favorite bit yet.
The Gear IconX has a Smart Touch and Ambient Noise feature that’s perfect for any active lifestyle. Frankly, I use mine even when I’m not working out just because they are so convenient. Skype calls, watching Netflix, building my playlist for my classes, my IconX earbuds come into play all the time. No restrictions!
The Smart Touch feature allows you to simply tap the main bud to control your device. One tap to play/pause or answer a call (yes, you can use them for calls!) Swipe up or down to adjust your music volume, hold to go through the menu and release to choose an option. No need for handheld devices or screens.
The menu includes an “Ambient Noise” feature that gives you the option to hear high-frequency sounds while you play music and work out. That means, you’ll know when a car is honking at you. Running outdoors has never been safer with earbuds on. Turn it off and zone out when you’re in a completely safe environment such as your living room or, in my case, the yoga studio.
One tiny downside to it, though, is the need to charge daily. Its battery runs for almost two hours on Bluetooth but extends for about an hour more if you play music loaded on the buds themselves. Once the buds run out of power, you can simply put them back in their pod, which works like an extra battery pack, to charge. Once they’re full, be sure to use them within the day or so or else the battery runs out and you’d have to plug the pod in again. I plug mine in every night for use the following day. Just don’t forget to bring an extra pair of regular earphones in case you need them.
I have been raving about the Samsung Gear IconX on and off line, among my peers, for months and I’m still loving them now. You can find them in Samsung stores nationwide.
Have you gotten hold of your Gear IconX yet? Hit me up and let me know how it has allowed you to unleash yourself.
