An iPod's the one and only request on my birthday list. I can't wait to stuff my ears with motivating music as I jog this summer. Right now I'm stuck plugging headphones into the gym treadmill, trapped by the often boring TV flavors of the hour.

As MP3 players sweep through fitness, new downloadable fitness offerings are sprouting up. Downloadable training coaches are for sale touting audio, video or audio/video combinations to make sweat pour off the bods of fitness fanatics everywhere. If interested, don't miss this Consumer Reports-of-sorts article on downloadable coaches. You'll learn how to identify good sites from poor-quality, non-certified offerings. The article also shares feedback on several top sites tested such as:

• Cardio Coach
• iTrain
• Podfitness
• PumpOne
• Sound Body Trainer

That's Fit readers are constantly extolling the virtues of working out to a personalized mix of songs. I can't wait to join in the fun, and perhaps push a bit harder with a coach in my ear!

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When I was 16 I'd walk the two miles to work with my new Sony Walkman orange headphones blasting Let's Hear It For The Boy from the Footloose soundtrack. I had the volume turned up to 8 or 9 most of the time, way over the safe decibels level. From my youthful point of view these new earphones were so awesome I could turn up the volume to the point of pain. I wonder if this is why I now have trouble deciphering table dialogue in a loud restaurant.

According to recent focus group research teenagers feel invincible to hearing loss. Students admitted awareness of the hazards of loud music, but they also reported keeping their MP3 players at maximum volume. What else is new? This is right in line with their self-perceived immortality about lots of risky behaviors.

Researchers also determined many parents are not in the loop regarding hearing risks associated with MP3 players. Most of the students interviewed never had to nod their head to a parental warning. Researchers suggest not only do parents need to discuss responsible use of MP3 players with their kids, manufacturers should equip MP3 players with danger zone decibel indicators. Here's a guide for now -- to stay within safe volume levels do not turn your earbuds higher than 60 percent of full capacity. For over-the-ear headphones, 70 percent capacity is the recommended max.

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The American Academy of Audiology wants to help you protect your kids' ears and has kicked off a campaign called Turn it to the Left to help kids remember to turn down the volume of their personal music players. One in eight kids suffer early hearing damage, but because kids aren't aware of the warning signs, they may not even realize they've set themselves up for trouble. Symptoms of hearing loss include ringing in the ears, difficulty understanding other people when they talk, and distorted sounds.

Hearing is critical to children's development, and early hearing loss will also exacerbate age-related hearing problems in the later decades. Learn more at the AAA's website.

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Looking for the sleekest attire possible for your cycling exploits? Look no further than Peal Izumi's Microsensor mp3 bib.

Sure, like other bibs, this snazzy outfit will reduce wind resistance, protect your skin from friction against the bike, and prevent rashes by wicking away your sweat -- but, more importantly, it has a 512 megabyte mp3 player and embedded controls. That way you merely have to tap your leg to switch tracks, crank up the volume, and kick out the jams for the final sprint.

The only drawback is the price -- which, at $499, isn't exactly cheap. But if you're a serious cyclist, I can see how this could definitely improve your ride.

[via productdose]

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