Vee
Cathlete
Here is a something for Cathe-ite's who are considering buying a MP3 or media player. At the bottom of this post is a list of players. But first is a list of criteria to consider before you select which brand (Apple's iPod or alternative) to buy.
1. Is it worthwhile to buy an Mp3 player?
The primary feature of all players is the ability to plug headhones in your ears and listen to audio. Here are some of the things you can do in fitness, if you get a rudimentary mp3 player:
a. Use guided workouts from cardio coach http://www.cardiocoach.com and itrain http://www.itrain.com at the gym or outdoors
b. Listen to your own music or audio books when running outdoors, in the gym or when weight training in the gym
c. Download free fitness based audio podcasts and listen to them on the go or even workout with them. Examples:
• Fitness with Amy http://www.withamymac.com/#
• Power Yoga with Dave Farmar http://davefarmar.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=265144
Later this year:
d. Cathe’s STS Gym will be available as Audio for MP3 players! http://cathefriedrich.blogspot.com/
e. Tracey’s new Walking Strong DVD comes with an audio version of the workout to carry on an MP3 player to the gym.
All MP3 players (iPod or alternative brands) can be used to listen to podcasts. Itunes is a free software from Apple that you can use to get podcasts and buy music even if you do not own an iPod. It is super-easy to find and subscribe to podcasts from itunes (they will get automatically downloaded to your PC if you leave the PC on with itunes open). If you get itunes, you can search in the itunes store for free podcasts on fitness. If you use a player other than iPod you may need to then import the podcasts into different software on your PC that syncs content to the player. This is not as complicated as it sounds at all, but one of the reasons iPods are so popular is because itunes is so powerful to use to buy music as downloads, learn about and subscribe to podcasts, and then directly transfer the stuff you want to your iPod.
2. Does the player have a nice, bright color screen and the ability to navigate through the library of content on the player to find specific tracks easily?
Why should you care - As you pile content onto the player, finding a particular track or playing a workout (such as Cardio Coach) comprising of multiple individual tracks in the right sequence will seem important to you. Plus it looks pretty! Players usually allow you to browse through your collection by Album and by Artist. Some allow you to create your own playlist. A playlist is where you mix and match tracks into a customized list. You can create a playlist such as “My favorite love songs”, “Running Mix”. Apple’s iPod - because it uses iTunes, has neat features to organize music into playlists or even smartlists where you specify a rule (example pick up any track that has the work "tread" in it and organize it as a playlist called iTread collection"). Many other players support playlists as well. Some models offer folders rather than playlists. Folders are a less powerful alternative to playlists but they get the job done. Creative Zen V allows you to organize your music as folders (just as you would on the PC) so this is a work-around. You can store the tracks you need in a folder and access it as if it were a playlist. Creative Zen on the other hand, (the credit card sized model from Creative with video support) has playlist support.
3. Do I need a player that can play both audio+video or will a audio-only player do?
The newer models of flash based players play not just audio files, they can play video content such as movies, TV series. These players are called MP3+video players or media players. Although they are tiny with a small screen, the video reproduction is bright.
Video makes player choice difficult too! Unlike Mp3 which is the ubiquitous format for audio file that all brands of players support, for video there are multiple formats and very little standardization. Apple’s video capable models only support a format called MPEG4 H.264. Creative Zen supports WMV and MPEG4 simple format. And so on…! Before you can sync video to the player you have to make sure it is the right format. There are converter software products that allow you to convert DVD to the right format for your player (icloneDVDmobile is one) or convert from some other format to the format your player needs. You need to be a bit of a geek (not too much) to do this. It is not as simple as popping a CD in the drive and pressing the “Import” button on the screen as with audio.
iTunes allows you to buy movies and TV series episodes (but not yet fitness DVDs) – as downloads that you can transfer to your iPod. Recently they launched rental of downloads for less $$. The makers of most players have their own equivalent of iTunes store where you can buy or rent video content in a format that is compatible with the player.
If you walk at a treadmill or cycle for a steady state workout, you can watch a movie or TV series on a player. When running or doing cardio at high intensity I do not find video watching particularly conducive.
Tracey Staehle’s Core Conditioning workout is available as individual exercise files that are so affordable (you can buy just one exercise for under $2, or the whole workout) as video downloads at her site www.fitbytracey.com. (In iPod or MPEG4 H.264 format only). It is not easy to always “see” to follow along with video instruction if you use a player in the gym or at home for resistance training. I wear mine on a wrist band. When I am doing a dumbbell row or push up, there is no way I can watch the screen. So I mainly rely on the verbal cues. Yet I love converting my Cathe DVDs to video and taking them on the iPod to the gym.
There are many pretty good free video podcasts available like:
a. Ridgeline Fitness has instructions for some great stability ball exercises available as free itunes podcasts. There are paid versions too. http://www.ridgelinefitness.com/content/view/28/32/
b. Pilates on 5th http://www.pilatesonfifth.com/Videos.shtml
Some video podcasts have started offering multiple alternative formats to iPod. For instance when www.yogatoday.com was allowing users to download their one hour session, they had two options (iPod and one other).
4. Is the player Flash memory based?
a. Flash memory is more compact than the alternative which is hard-disk based players. So flash player models tend to be more compact. Bulky players are more cumbersome to wear/carry when working out.
b. Flash based players are usually skip free. The sound will not jump when you do.
c. Hard disks have moving parts so players that use hard-disks to store your content may not take kindly to high-impact exercise.
5. How much capacity or storage space does the player have?
The more memory you have, the greater the chances that you can carry “everything” on your player (your exercise audio and videos, your songs, your podcasts). However, it is very easy to change content on the player. It only takes a few minutes at your PC. Even with a 2 GB player, you should be able to get organized with music and workouts for 5 to 7 days before needing to change the content on the player. Some players let you insert an additional SD card for more memory (examples: Creative Zen and Sandisk Sansa View) like you would with digital cameras and some mobile phone models. This is useful because you don’t even need to sync content to the player. You can copy audio/video on these SD cards from your PC and insert them into the player and bingo - they are ready to be played.
6. What Extras does the player offer?
Many non iPod players support FM radio. If you may wish to listen to radio while working out, check if the model you are buying has FM built in.
Some players like a few Sandisk Sansa models have a stopwatch. Useful to time yourself for planks.
Sony NW ST03F/5F has some cool sport features like a calorie burn counter, tracker, pedometer, stopwatch and a pace matcher that lets you pick songs to match the tempo of our workout
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NW-S205F-Sports-Digital-Armband/dp/B000GIQR12
But it has a fairly rudeimnetary screen. Here is a nice review of sports features of various players http://sports-mp3-player-review.toptenreviews.com/
Some Samsung YP models have inbuilt Bluetooth. Bluetooth is the technology that allows you to go wireless. If you get bluetooth headphones, having no headphone cords creating a tangle while working out can be liberating. You can even leave you iPod in the backpack or in a corner of the gym and exercise as long as you are within 10 meter distance. Caution – Bluetooth headphones that are suitable for sport like the Jaybird Gear or Ety9 from Etymyotic are as pricey (sometimes even pricier than a player!)With players that do not have inbuilt bluetooth, you can still use wireless Bluetooth headphones but you will need a bluetooth adaptor that plugs into the headphone jack.
Samsung YP-K5 media player has inbuilt speakers that are highly rated for their clarity and power, given the tiny size. So if you want the option of both using headphones and freedom from headphones, consider this. http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-YP-K5JAB-Player-Built-Speakers/dp/B000ICKNPW/ref=pd_sim_e_title_20 You can use it as your alarm clock and it will wake you up by singing your favorite song.
7. Wearing/Holding/Carrying - which will be best for me when I exercise?
I like a wristband to wear a video player (I have an iPod Nano) on my wrist while exercising - both for cardio and resistance training at the gym. Some people use a case to protect the player and prop it on the treadmill. I have seen people not bother with a case and drop the player into a pocket. A player with a built in clip to pin the player onto your tee or tracks can be very convenient (like the Sandisk Sansa Clip). Armbands, wristbands, cases, lanyards are available for almost all reputed player. It makes sense to check those options before choosing a model.
8. Nike +iPod sports kit - is that a reason enough to get an iPod?
Worth checking out if you run outdoors. Tracks time, distance, mileage, calorie expenditure. Allows you to store your information on the Nike site and compare your performance over time, or with other people on the Net. http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MA365LL...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201024775&sr=8-1 The Nike+ sport armband for the older model Nanos (1st gen and 2nd gen from Nike are pretty cool (they accommodate the iPod and tiny receiver that reads from the transmitter you wear in your shoe). As of Jan 2008, the armband from Nike for the new 3rd Gen model iPod Nano has not been launched.
9. Will I need accessories for the player?
Some players come with great sounding speaker docks. Some come with car kits to listen to music in your car off the player.
A Catheite should consider Cathe's plans to offer workouts in downloadable format as an alternative to DVD so you can choose which format to buy. Some players come with cables that let you play music and video from your player on the TV. You can decide if that is something you need. For instance after Cathe’s workouts are available as downloads, imagine Leg day. You will be able to make your own leg workout by taking one exercise from Cathe’s Butts and Gutts and another from her Legs and Glutes and the third from her Slow and Heavy Legs DVDs! You can then connect the player to the TV to workout at home. Alternatively, you can carry the player to the gym, strap it using a band to your wrist and do all squats and lunges at the Smith-rack.
Caution: Cathe's plans as I understand from her forum are to support iPod video format. If connecting to a TV is important for you and you see yourself wanting to buy Cathe's workouts as downloads rather than DVD, it makes considering an iPod to avoid the hassle of converting. http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP.../ipod_accessories/cables_docks&nplm=MB129LL/A
The list of options
Here is a list of compact-sized, reputed players that I think are suitable for use during exercise. Most have multiple storage size options ranging anywhere from 1 GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, to 32 GB within each model, so check out what the pricing for each available option is before you buy. Some come in multiple color options. This list is not comprehensive.
This first list is of flash-based Mp3 audio players with good screen/navigation features. This list of players cannot play back video:
a. iPod Nano refurbished 2nd Gen
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=4DBD22E0&nclm=Certified
b. Sandisk Sansa Clip, what I believe is the smallest player with a screen that you can clip onto your clothes
http://www.amazon.com/Sansa-Clip-GB...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201029485&sr=1-2
c. Creative Zen V
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Port...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201028527&sr=1-2
d. Samsung YP K3 ultra slim
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-YP-K3...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201029299&sr=1-2
List of flash based media players (MP3 audio and video):
a. iPod Nano 3rd Gen (newest iPod nano model)
http://www.amazon.com/iPod-Nanos-Co..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0GM7AAGTVG6RSFYFTW91
b. Microsoft Zune Flash
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.ht..._rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=331564401&pf_rd_i=283468011
c. Archos 105 Flash
http://www.amazon.com/ARCHOS-105-2G...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201028652&sr=1-41
d. Sandisk Sansa View (sleek newer model)
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201028188&sr=1-2
e. Sandisk Sansa e280
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=06PHXZ3TV9APP8WE90EM
f. Creative Zen
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Zen-...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201028477&sr=1-2
g. Samsung YP K5 with built in speakers
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-YP-K5...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201029157&sr=1-5
h. Samsung YP P2 Slim with a touch screen
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-YP-P2...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201029157&sr=1-1
i. Sony NWZ series
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0TX5F32K2WD5Y8F77JW4
j. iRiver 1CLIx
http://www.amazon.com/iRiver-1CLIx8...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201027885&sr=1-39
k.iPod Touch with its beautiful, wide, touch screen. Uber cool. Rather bulky and heavy for exercise use though.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...B723641&node=home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_touch
1. Is it worthwhile to buy an Mp3 player?
The primary feature of all players is the ability to plug headhones in your ears and listen to audio. Here are some of the things you can do in fitness, if you get a rudimentary mp3 player:
a. Use guided workouts from cardio coach http://www.cardiocoach.com and itrain http://www.itrain.com at the gym or outdoors
b. Listen to your own music or audio books when running outdoors, in the gym or when weight training in the gym
c. Download free fitness based audio podcasts and listen to them on the go or even workout with them. Examples:
• Fitness with Amy http://www.withamymac.com/#
• Power Yoga with Dave Farmar http://davefarmar.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=265144
Later this year:
d. Cathe’s STS Gym will be available as Audio for MP3 players! http://cathefriedrich.blogspot.com/
e. Tracey’s new Walking Strong DVD comes with an audio version of the workout to carry on an MP3 player to the gym.
All MP3 players (iPod or alternative brands) can be used to listen to podcasts. Itunes is a free software from Apple that you can use to get podcasts and buy music even if you do not own an iPod. It is super-easy to find and subscribe to podcasts from itunes (they will get automatically downloaded to your PC if you leave the PC on with itunes open). If you get itunes, you can search in the itunes store for free podcasts on fitness. If you use a player other than iPod you may need to then import the podcasts into different software on your PC that syncs content to the player. This is not as complicated as it sounds at all, but one of the reasons iPods are so popular is because itunes is so powerful to use to buy music as downloads, learn about and subscribe to podcasts, and then directly transfer the stuff you want to your iPod.
2. Does the player have a nice, bright color screen and the ability to navigate through the library of content on the player to find specific tracks easily?
Why should you care - As you pile content onto the player, finding a particular track or playing a workout (such as Cardio Coach) comprising of multiple individual tracks in the right sequence will seem important to you. Plus it looks pretty! Players usually allow you to browse through your collection by Album and by Artist. Some allow you to create your own playlist. A playlist is where you mix and match tracks into a customized list. You can create a playlist such as “My favorite love songs”, “Running Mix”. Apple’s iPod - because it uses iTunes, has neat features to organize music into playlists or even smartlists where you specify a rule (example pick up any track that has the work "tread" in it and organize it as a playlist called iTread collection"). Many other players support playlists as well. Some models offer folders rather than playlists. Folders are a less powerful alternative to playlists but they get the job done. Creative Zen V allows you to organize your music as folders (just as you would on the PC) so this is a work-around. You can store the tracks you need in a folder and access it as if it were a playlist. Creative Zen on the other hand, (the credit card sized model from Creative with video support) has playlist support.
3. Do I need a player that can play both audio+video or will a audio-only player do?
The newer models of flash based players play not just audio files, they can play video content such as movies, TV series. These players are called MP3+video players or media players. Although they are tiny with a small screen, the video reproduction is bright.
Video makes player choice difficult too! Unlike Mp3 which is the ubiquitous format for audio file that all brands of players support, for video there are multiple formats and very little standardization. Apple’s video capable models only support a format called MPEG4 H.264. Creative Zen supports WMV and MPEG4 simple format. And so on…! Before you can sync video to the player you have to make sure it is the right format. There are converter software products that allow you to convert DVD to the right format for your player (icloneDVDmobile is one) or convert from some other format to the format your player needs. You need to be a bit of a geek (not too much) to do this. It is not as simple as popping a CD in the drive and pressing the “Import” button on the screen as with audio.
iTunes allows you to buy movies and TV series episodes (but not yet fitness DVDs) – as downloads that you can transfer to your iPod. Recently they launched rental of downloads for less $$. The makers of most players have their own equivalent of iTunes store where you can buy or rent video content in a format that is compatible with the player.
If you walk at a treadmill or cycle for a steady state workout, you can watch a movie or TV series on a player. When running or doing cardio at high intensity I do not find video watching particularly conducive.
Tracey Staehle’s Core Conditioning workout is available as individual exercise files that are so affordable (you can buy just one exercise for under $2, or the whole workout) as video downloads at her site www.fitbytracey.com. (In iPod or MPEG4 H.264 format only). It is not easy to always “see” to follow along with video instruction if you use a player in the gym or at home for resistance training. I wear mine on a wrist band. When I am doing a dumbbell row or push up, there is no way I can watch the screen. So I mainly rely on the verbal cues. Yet I love converting my Cathe DVDs to video and taking them on the iPod to the gym.
There are many pretty good free video podcasts available like:
a. Ridgeline Fitness has instructions for some great stability ball exercises available as free itunes podcasts. There are paid versions too. http://www.ridgelinefitness.com/content/view/28/32/
b. Pilates on 5th http://www.pilatesonfifth.com/Videos.shtml
Some video podcasts have started offering multiple alternative formats to iPod. For instance when www.yogatoday.com was allowing users to download their one hour session, they had two options (iPod and one other).
4. Is the player Flash memory based?
a. Flash memory is more compact than the alternative which is hard-disk based players. So flash player models tend to be more compact. Bulky players are more cumbersome to wear/carry when working out.
b. Flash based players are usually skip free. The sound will not jump when you do.
c. Hard disks have moving parts so players that use hard-disks to store your content may not take kindly to high-impact exercise.
5. How much capacity or storage space does the player have?
The more memory you have, the greater the chances that you can carry “everything” on your player (your exercise audio and videos, your songs, your podcasts). However, it is very easy to change content on the player. It only takes a few minutes at your PC. Even with a 2 GB player, you should be able to get organized with music and workouts for 5 to 7 days before needing to change the content on the player. Some players let you insert an additional SD card for more memory (examples: Creative Zen and Sandisk Sansa View) like you would with digital cameras and some mobile phone models. This is useful because you don’t even need to sync content to the player. You can copy audio/video on these SD cards from your PC and insert them into the player and bingo - they are ready to be played.
6. What Extras does the player offer?
Many non iPod players support FM radio. If you may wish to listen to radio while working out, check if the model you are buying has FM built in.
Some players like a few Sandisk Sansa models have a stopwatch. Useful to time yourself for planks.
Sony NW ST03F/5F has some cool sport features like a calorie burn counter, tracker, pedometer, stopwatch and a pace matcher that lets you pick songs to match the tempo of our workout
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-NW-S205F-Sports-Digital-Armband/dp/B000GIQR12
But it has a fairly rudeimnetary screen. Here is a nice review of sports features of various players http://sports-mp3-player-review.toptenreviews.com/
Some Samsung YP models have inbuilt Bluetooth. Bluetooth is the technology that allows you to go wireless. If you get bluetooth headphones, having no headphone cords creating a tangle while working out can be liberating. You can even leave you iPod in the backpack or in a corner of the gym and exercise as long as you are within 10 meter distance. Caution – Bluetooth headphones that are suitable for sport like the Jaybird Gear or Ety9 from Etymyotic are as pricey (sometimes even pricier than a player!)With players that do not have inbuilt bluetooth, you can still use wireless Bluetooth headphones but you will need a bluetooth adaptor that plugs into the headphone jack.
Samsung YP-K5 media player has inbuilt speakers that are highly rated for their clarity and power, given the tiny size. So if you want the option of both using headphones and freedom from headphones, consider this. http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-YP-K5JAB-Player-Built-Speakers/dp/B000ICKNPW/ref=pd_sim_e_title_20 You can use it as your alarm clock and it will wake you up by singing your favorite song.
7. Wearing/Holding/Carrying - which will be best for me when I exercise?
I like a wristband to wear a video player (I have an iPod Nano) on my wrist while exercising - both for cardio and resistance training at the gym. Some people use a case to protect the player and prop it on the treadmill. I have seen people not bother with a case and drop the player into a pocket. A player with a built in clip to pin the player onto your tee or tracks can be very convenient (like the Sandisk Sansa Clip). Armbands, wristbands, cases, lanyards are available for almost all reputed player. It makes sense to check those options before choosing a model.
8. Nike +iPod sports kit - is that a reason enough to get an iPod?
Worth checking out if you run outdoors. Tracks time, distance, mileage, calorie expenditure. Allows you to store your information on the Nike site and compare your performance over time, or with other people on the Net. http://www.amazon.com/Apple-MA365LL...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201024775&sr=8-1 The Nike+ sport armband for the older model Nanos (1st gen and 2nd gen from Nike are pretty cool (they accommodate the iPod and tiny receiver that reads from the transmitter you wear in your shoe). As of Jan 2008, the armband from Nike for the new 3rd Gen model iPod Nano has not been launched.
9. Will I need accessories for the player?
Some players come with great sounding speaker docks. Some come with car kits to listen to music in your car off the player.
A Catheite should consider Cathe's plans to offer workouts in downloadable format as an alternative to DVD so you can choose which format to buy. Some players come with cables that let you play music and video from your player on the TV. You can decide if that is something you need. For instance after Cathe’s workouts are available as downloads, imagine Leg day. You will be able to make your own leg workout by taking one exercise from Cathe’s Butts and Gutts and another from her Legs and Glutes and the third from her Slow and Heavy Legs DVDs! You can then connect the player to the TV to workout at home. Alternatively, you can carry the player to the gym, strap it using a band to your wrist and do all squats and lunges at the Smith-rack.
Caution: Cathe's plans as I understand from her forum are to support iPod video format. If connecting to a TV is important for you and you see yourself wanting to buy Cathe's workouts as downloads rather than DVD, it makes considering an iPod to avoid the hassle of converting. http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP.../ipod_accessories/cables_docks&nplm=MB129LL/A
The list of options
Here is a list of compact-sized, reputed players that I think are suitable for use during exercise. Most have multiple storage size options ranging anywhere from 1 GB, 2GB, 4GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, to 32 GB within each model, so check out what the pricing for each available option is before you buy. Some come in multiple color options. This list is not comprehensive.
This first list is of flash-based Mp3 audio players with good screen/navigation features. This list of players cannot play back video:
a. iPod Nano refurbished 2nd Gen
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=4DBD22E0&nclm=Certified
b. Sandisk Sansa Clip, what I believe is the smallest player with a screen that you can clip onto your clothes
http://www.amazon.com/Sansa-Clip-GB...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201029485&sr=1-2
c. Creative Zen V
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Port...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201028527&sr=1-2
d. Samsung YP K3 ultra slim
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-YP-K3...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201029299&sr=1-2
List of flash based media players (MP3 audio and video):
a. iPod Nano 3rd Gen (newest iPod nano model)
http://www.amazon.com/iPod-Nanos-Co..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0GM7AAGTVG6RSFYFTW91
b. Microsoft Zune Flash
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.ht..._rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=331564401&pf_rd_i=283468011
c. Archos 105 Flash
http://www.amazon.com/ARCHOS-105-2G...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201028652&sr=1-41
d. Sandisk Sansa View (sleek newer model)
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201028188&sr=1-2
e. Sandisk Sansa e280
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=06PHXZ3TV9APP8WE90EM
f. Creative Zen
http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Zen-...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201028477&sr=1-2
g. Samsung YP K5 with built in speakers
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-YP-K5...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201029157&sr=1-5
h. Samsung YP P2 Slim with a touch screen
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-YP-P2...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201029157&sr=1-1
i. Sony NWZ series
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0TX5F32K2WD5Y8F77JW4
j. iRiver 1CLIx
http://www.amazon.com/iRiver-1CLIx8...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1201027885&sr=1-39
k.iPod Touch with its beautiful, wide, touch screen. Uber cool. Rather bulky and heavy for exercise use though.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...B723641&node=home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_touch
