Creative nomad mp3 players

Mobile music - Workout Motivation - minidisc and MP3 players - Brief Article

Anything that helps get you through a workout without threatening to explode your heart or enlarge your prostate is a good thing. And nothing is quite as harmless or effective as music. With the market for minidisc and MP3 players spitting out smaller and better items each year, we checked out the latest in digital music to find the units that can get you over that final fitness hump.

1. AUDIBLE OTIS

While you can download music to the Otis, its strength lies in storing spoken-word content, of which it can hold 20 hours' worth. If you'd rather listen to an audio book, hear your favorite section from the New York Times read aloud, or listen to Bob Edwards from National Public Radio, then this is your best option. Audible.com charges for its content; monthly or yearly subscriptions are available. $120; www.audible.com

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

2. SONY MZ-900DPC MD WALKMAN

Can you can ask for more on a long run than 320 minutes of skip-free music on one disc? That the disc be small? How does the size of two minidiscs stacked on top of each other sound? A nonstop wall of inspirational music awaits your next cardio blast. Turn it up! $260; www.sony.com

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

3. APPLE IPOD

MP3s don't sound better or download faster than this. With five gigabytes of storage and a firewire connection that makes downloading music as smooth as drawing a hot knife through butter, this siren can store 100 CDs' worth of music. Yep, one hundred. For runs that never seem to end. Compatible only with MAC OS 9.2 and 10.1. $399; www.apple.com

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

4. SONICBLUE RIOVOLT SP250

Best for marathon hikes. Not only does the SP250 play regular CDs, but also CDs with MP3 and WMA files, which can hold up to 20 hours of music on one disc. If that's not enough, the unit also comes with an FM tuner and eight minutes of shock protection for when the trail gets knobby. "I'm going out, sweetheart! See you tomorrow!" $160; www.sonicblue.com

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

5. CREATIVE LABS NOMAD II C

There may not be any gigabytes in the Nomad, but there's still plenty of space: 64 megabytes (about two hours of music) that are upgradeable to 192 mb for some serious play time. It even has voice playback for those who like to listen to the sound of their own musings. $115; www.creativelabs.com

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

6. CASE LOGIC CD SPORTS BELT ($22) AND MP3 PLAYER CASE WITH ADJUSTABLE ARMBAND ($12)

Case Logic allows you to pull your music player out of your pocket and put it in the secure carrying case, making it easier than ever to take your music wherever your next cardio challenge leads you. Made from rugged, washable neoprene. www.caselogic.com

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]