Portable Speakers for Fitness Classes: "All-in-One" vs "Powered" : Which One is Best for You?

Music is an essential part of any fitness routine, and the right speaker system can make all the difference. With so many options available in the market, choosing the perfect speaker system for your fitness classes can be overwhelming. In this blog post, we’ll help you weigh the pros and cons of the different types of portable speakers and decide which one is best for you.

What is a portable speaker?
Portable speakers, as the name suggests, are made to be transportable and easy to use. They come in different sizes and styles and are ideal for boot camps, outdoor workouts, or any location where you don't have access to a permanent sound system. Portable speakers also come with Bluetooth connectivity, so you can easily connect them to your phone, laptop, or tablet to stream music wirelessly.

Within the family of "portable speakers" are two general types: "Powered speaker" systems and "All-in-One" systems. There are a few main differences between these types of systems...

Powered speaker systems use power from a wall outlet. This makes them less portable than All-in-One systems which are battery-powered/rechargeable. On the other hand, powered speakers (compared to an All-in-One of the same size) will provide louder, higher quality audio, and therefor an overall superior listening experience for your participants. 

One significant advantage of powered speakers is that they are usually more affordable than all-in-one speakers, making them the perfect investment if you are just starting in the fitness industry. However, powered speakers are typically sold alone and lack a microphone system, which can be a significant factor if you want to interact with your students. With that said, this allows you the freedom to choose the type of microphone system to use with the speaker. But the microphone system does not come built into the speaker like it does with an All-in-One system. 

All-in-one portable speakers come with a built-in microphone system, aux cable input, Bluetooth, and are battery-powered. All-in-one speaker systems are ideal for any setting where you do not have access to a wall outlet and need to project music and voice together. They are also ideal for anyone looking for a very simple setup that requires no cable connections. 

Choosing Between Powered Speakers and All-in-One Speakers
If you are a solo fitness trainer looking for something easy to carry around and very quick to setup or move around, then an All-in-One system is the way to go. If you are instructing a larger group or are more focused on the overall audio experience then a powered speaker system should be considered. 

Image above: All-in-One system example, Fit-1010 with EMic fitness headset.

Image above: Powered speaker example, ZLX-12BT

Powered speakers and All-in-One portable speakers are great options for:

• outdoor fitness classes
• indoor fitness classes
• deckside aquatic aerobics fitness classes
• fitness instructors that move around to many different facilities and need to bring their own equipment (speaker and mic) with them
• fitness instructors that do not want to rely on the center's audio system or microphone equipment

Recommendations for Powered and All-in-One Speakers
When it comes to portable speakers, some fitness instructors may be familiar with popular brands and models like the JBL Flip 5, the Bose SoundLink Mini II, and even the Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 2. And although these are good speakers for certain applications, these speakers are not recommended to be used in professional settings and are not compatible with a wireless microphone system.

For all-in-one portable speakers, some of the top picks include:

• Expedition XP312w Speaker 300 watts, Bluetooth, AH9/Qe Wireless Headset Mic & Handheld
• Fit 800 Battery-Powered Portable System with E-mic Fitness Headset Microphone
• Anchor Audio Liberty Pair (U4, COMP) Portable Speakers with 4 Wireless Microphones

For powered speakers, some of the top picks include:

• Samson SARS112A powered speaker with 2-inputs and Bluetooth
• Electro-Voice ZLX-12BT powered speaker with 2-inputs and Bluetooth
• Electro-Voice Evolve30M powered column speaker system with 2-inputs and Bluetooth

Best accessories for portable speakers for fitness instructors
As a fitness instructor, your portable speaker is your best friend. However, it’s essential to have the right accessories to enhance your overall audio experience. A great accessory to consider is a waterproof case or a speaker cover. Whether you’re doing yoga on the beach or leading a spinning class outside, a waterproof case will ensure your speaker stays protected from water damage. Another essential accessory is a durable carrying case. You want to make sure your speaker stays safe wherever you go, especially during transportation. View cases and covers for portable speakers HERE.

Image above: Anchor Audio Go Getter Rolling Case

Another recommended accessory is a tripod stand. A tripod stand allows the audio to be evenly distributed over your participants. Without a tripod stand users typically report issues with microphone feedback because of how microphones pickup audio from a speaker being used at ground level. Getting the speaker raised up near head-height will provide a much more enjoyable audio experience where the people in the back of the group can hear just as well as the people up front. 

CLICK HERE to view our selection of tripod stands. These are also often available as a frequently bought together item for most of our portable speaker options. 

Choosing the perfect speaker system for your fitness classes can be challenging. If you need assistance in finding the BEST portable speaker, do not worry, we are here to help. Request a quote HERE.

With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming. However, weighing the pros and cons of powered speakers and all-in-one portable speakers can help make the choice easier. We hope this article has given you a better understanding of the differences between the two speaker systems and helps you make an informed decision on which one is best for you! Please reach out to us at sales@avnow.com if you have any questions at all.