A headset microphone is one of the hardest-working parts of a fitness studio sound system.
Unlike a microphone used for a presentation or occasional performance, a fitness headset has to cope with movement, sweat and repeated use, often several times a day. In a busy studio it may also be passed from one instructor to another, which makes the demands on it even greater.
So choosing a headset microphone for a fitness studio isn’t simply about finding one with the right plug or picking a familiar brand. There are some important differences between microphones designed for general speech or performance and those designed specifically for fitness.
Sweat protection matters
Sweat is one of the biggest challenges for any microphone used in Group Exercise.
The microphone capsule sits close to the instructor’s face, while the cable and connector can also be exposed to considerable moisture during a class. Over time, that can cause problems with microphones that weren’t designed with this type of use in mind.
A fitness headset should therefore have protection designed into the microphone, rather than relying purely on careful use.
That doesn’t mean a fitness microphone can simply be put away wet after a class. Good care still matters. Wipe the headset dry after use and allow it to air dry before storing it.
Shared studio use is very different from individual use
There is a big difference between a headset owned by an instructor and one kept in a studio for everybody to use.
An instructor-owned microphone is normally adjusted once, looked after by the same person and used for a known number of classes.
A shared studio microphone can have a much harder life. Different instructors may adjust it differently, pull on the cable or put it away immediately after a class.
For a club running a busy Group Exercise timetable, physical construction and durability are therefore every bit as important as sound quality.
Choose the microphone for the type of exercise
Not every fitness class puts the same demands on a headset.
For regular Group Exercise, a good fitness headset needs to be secure, comfortable and capable of handling movement and perspiration.
Indoor cycling creates a particularly demanding environment. Instructors can generate considerable amounts of sweat and often remain in a relatively fixed riding position for long periods. A headset designed specifically for cycling can therefore make sense in a busy spin studio.
Lower-intensity classes may be less demanding, but that doesn’t remove the benefit of using a microphone designed for fitness.
Sound quality still matters
Durability shouldn’t come at the expense of intelligibility.
An instructor needs to be clearly understood over music without the system becoming harsh or difficult to listen to. The microphone also needs to reject enough surrounding sound to avoid unnecessarily picking up loudspeakers and increasing the risk of feedback.
We’ve heard significant differences between fitness headsets when connected to the same wireless system.
This is why we don’t judge a microphone simply by the manufacturer’s name on the box. How it actually performs in a fitness studio matters far more.
Bodypack compatibility and MultiMic
A replacement headset has to be compatible with the wireless bodypack as well as physically fit the connection.
Different wireless manufacturers use different connectors and wiring arrangements, so normally it’s important to make sure a headset has been designed to work with the system you’re using.
EMic, Aeromic and Cyclemic overcome much of this problem with Fitness Audio’s unique MultiMic connector technology. There are T4 4-pin and T3 3-pin MultiMic connector options, each designed to work across a range of professional wireless brands.
The principle is refreshingly simple: if the plug fits, it will work.
For example, a T4 MultiMic EMic can be used with compatible 4-pin transmitters from Fitness Audio, Shure, Mipro, JTS and a number of other manufacturers. T3 MultiMic provides the same flexibility across compatible 3-pin systems, including LD Systems, AKG and Samson.
That also means an instructor using their own EMic, Aeromic or Cyclemic may be able to use the same microphone across several studios using different brands of wireless equipment, provided they use the same T3 or T4 connection.
If you’re unsure which connection you need, send us the make and model of the transmitter or bodypack and we’ll check it for you.
Cable construction is important
The cable is another common failure point on fitness microphones.
It is repeatedly moved during classes and can be subjected to pulling and twisting. Never wrap the microphone cable tightly around the bodypack, as this puts unnecessary strain on the cable and connection.
In shared studios particularly, a lightweight cable designed for occasional presentation use may not survive for long.
Look at how the cable, headset frame and connector have been constructed, not just the microphone capsule itself.
Fitness headset microphones we use
We’ve worked with a wide range of headset microphones in health clubs and fitness studios over the years.
For shared studio use, the EMic is one of our regular choices. It was designed specifically for fitness and combines a waterproof, noise-cancelling capsule with a sealed and reinforced frame, steel cable and sweat protection around the connection. It carries a 12-month warranty when used for up to 20 classes per week.
For particularly demanding use, Aeromic is the premium option. It’s designed specifically for professional fitness instruction, with its construction and sweat protection intended for a much heavier workload, and carries a two-year No Sweat Warranty when used within its specified conditions.
For indoor cycling, Cyclemic has been designed specifically around the demands of spin instruction. Its J-curve construction helps direct sweat away from the microphone capsule and it also carries a two-year No Sweat Warranty.
We also regularly encounter microphones including the Shure SM31FH and Trantec fitness headsets in existing studio systems. The important point isn’t simply which brand is fitted. It’s whether the microphone suits the workload, instructor and wireless system it’s being used with.
Don’t forget the bodypack
Even the best fitness headset won’t solve problems elsewhere in the wireless system.
Intermittent audio, dropouts, crackling or poor range can come from the bodypack, receiver, aerial arrangement, frequency selection or the connection between the headset and transmitter.
If a studio repeatedly gets through microphones, it’s worth checking the complete wireless system rather than assuming every failure is simply another worn-out headset.
Choosing the right headset for your studio
For an individual instructor, the priorities may be comfort, sound and having a microphone they can look after themselves.
For a commercial fitness studio, we’d also consider the number of classes each week, whether the microphone is shared, the type of classes being taught and the wireless equipment already installed.
That’s why we don’t recommend one headset for every situation.
If you’re replacing a fitness headset and aren’t sure what will work with your existing system, send us the make and model of the wireless receiver or bodypack. A photo of the equipment and its connections is often enough for us to point you in the right direction.