How to Play Music in the Swimming Pool

It's possible to swim and listen to music at the same time.

Swimming is one of the most rhythmic forms of exercise and relaxation, and nothing gets your rhythm going like your favorite music. But music players and swimming pools don't really go well together. Or do they? Through a variety of technologies, you can bring your iPod into the pool, listen to your Zune underwater or swim to your favorite mp3s. Your options range from low-tech to hi-tech, from pretty cheap to pretty pricey. Here's what you need to know to start enjoying music during your swim.

Instructions

1. 

   You can get a waterproof case for an iPod or another mp3 player and go swimming with it.

   Waterproof your music player. Several manufacturers sell waterproof housings for music players, custom-tailored to fit an iPod, Nano, Zune, Samsung or other popular type of music players. The waterproof enclosures come with a built-in set of waterproof earphones that plug in to your music player. They are made of clear, pliable plastic that allows you to operate controls through the plastic cover. Companies like Otterbox and H2O Audio offer many variations on the waterproof housing for music players. Do a search on the name of your player along with the search words "waterproof case." You'll find many options available at a wide range of prices.

2. Use an in-the-ear pool player. If a waterproof case strikes you as a little iffy, consider buying a music player specially made for use in the water. These work just like music players you're used to, with drag-and-drop capabilities to build up your playlists, and familiar controls to play your music. They only difference is that they work under water.

   Search the internet for the terms: waterproof music player. You'll see dozens of products from H2O Audio, Nu Dolphin, Speedo Aquabeat, Freestyle Audio and many more.

3. 

   Bone-conduction waterproof music players like the SwiMP3 don't use earbuds.

   Consider bone-conduction music players. Not everyone is comfortable with in-the-ear earphones or earbuds when they are swimming; for those folks, a waterproof bone-conduction music player is just the ticket. These devices don't use conventional earphones. Instead, a small speaker sits on each side of your head against your facial bones. You can adjust them to rest against your cheekbone or your temple. Music is conducted directly through your bone instead of through your ear canal. The music quality is excellent, though the overall volume is not always as loud as an in-the-ear player might be. Bone conduction music players stay in place by clipping onto both sides of swim goggles, so don't plan on using them if you're not the goggle type. The Finis SwiMP3 has pioneered the bone-conduction technology for use by swimmers.

4. Wire up the pool. If you're a money-is-no-object type of spender, why not install an underwater sound system for your swimming pool so you and your guests can enjoy some music. Waterproof swimming-pool speakers cost a few hundred dollars each, with extra costs for installation. A single speaker can handle a medium-size pool, but you'll need more than one for a full-sized swimming pool. EV Underwater Pool Speakers is one of the premier manufacturers of this type of technology. As a novel alternative, you can also opt for waterproof, wireless speakers that float in your pool. Search for the Grace Digital Audio Aqua Sounder, and you'll see the options there.

Tips & Warnings

• It's pretty tricky trying to work the controls of a music player while you're swimming. Set up a playlist you know you'll like so there won't be much need for any adjustments in mid-swim.

References

• Wellness Reports: Swimming With Music
• Money CNN: Making a Splash
• PC World: Grace Digital Audio Aqua Sounder