“Exercising with peers significantly boosts workout attendance.”
Rich Bowen Photography/Alamy
As a child, I steered clear of team sports; my hand-eye coordination was lacking, and my competitive nature led to more frustration than fun. However, new studies are challenging my perspective. Research indicates that group exercise, particularly in team sports, may provide greater health benefits than going solo.
A 2023 analysis showed that participating in sports—be it for fun or competition—boosts mental well-being, decreasing stress and anxiety levels, and enhancing self-esteem. These outcomes are notably stronger in team sports, suggesting they have a greater positive impact on mental health than other exercise forms, independent of physical activity levels.
The social elements of sports can amplify these physical advantages. Exercising with others increases the likelihood of attending workouts. In a 2024 study, over 770 participants received cash incentives for gym visits, with some required to bring friends. Those with workout partners attended about 35% more often than individuals who could go alone. Follow-up studies suggested this was due to greater accountability and enhanced enjoyment from exercising together.
Other research reveals that this enjoyment can even enhance performance. In one study, participants in a free community run reported feeling more energized when joined by friends or family, resulting in faster paces. Additionally, research on competitive rowers revealed that viewing pictures of loved ones while rowing allowed participants to endure about 20% longer compared to those who looked at images of strangers.
The exact reason remains unclear, but it likely relates to how we process fatigue. Ultimately, our brain governs our muscles, and fatigue serves as a protective mechanism, preventing us from overextending ourselves and risking injuries. Exercising alongside friends (or even just seeing their photos) signals safety to our brains, potentially delaying fatigue.
This concept aligns with a significant shift in exercise psychology, previously emphasizing competition as a performance enhancer. Increasingly, research is exploring the impact of cooperation. After all, our innate ability to run long distances likely developed through collective hunting, suggesting we may be inherently designed to exercise in groups.
This revelation brings me comfort, prompting a shift in focus from competition to collaboration in sports. I’m planning to run a half marathon with my best friend soon, and her suggestion to train together feels like the key to reaching the finish line.
Apple’s latest Beats-branded earphones offer the sound, fit, and Android compatibility of the popular Studio Buds but in a smaller, cheaper, and longer-lasting package.
The Solo Buds follow in the footsteps of last year’s Buds+, offering full integration with a range of Apple’s devices and Google’s Android, providing the best of both platforms.
However, Beats has trimmed some features and lowered the price to £80 (€90 / $80 / AU$130), half the price of the brand’s other truly wireless earphones.
The appearance is very similar to the Studio Buds and Buds+, and while the compact pill shape remains, the shape has been slightly improved for increased comfort. They are light, fit well, and come with four different sizes of earphone tips.
The tops of the earbuds protrude slightly from the ears, making them easier to grip. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
A hidden button just above the “b” logo allows you to control playback, access your phone’s voice assistant, adjust the volume, and more, although it doesn’t pause your music when taken out of your ears like AirPods do.
Unlike most earbuds, the Solo Buds do not have a battery inside the case to charge them when not in use. Instead, each earbud has a powerful built-in battery that provides 18 hours of playback on a single charge.
The case charges the earbuds when connected to a USB-C cable, but with no built-in battery, they are 40% smaller, 55% lighter, and easier to fit in your pocket. The earbuds also emit a chime when charging or in pairing mode instead of an indicator light on the case.
specification
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC
Battery life: 18 hr
water resistance: none
driver: 8.2mm
Earphone Weight: 5.7g each
Earphone Dimensions: 16.7 x 18.5 x 18.9mm
Case Weight: 22 g
Case Dimensions: 34.7 x 66.1 x 23.7mm
charging: USB-C
Perfect for Android or iPhone
It takes 80 minutes to fully charge the earbuds via USB-C. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Like the more recent Studio Buds+ and Solo 4, the Beats’ big advantage is their broad cross-compatibility with Android and iOS.
It integrates better with iPhone than the competition, with controls accessible in Quick Settings, instant pairing you only need to do once to use with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple products, and an Audio Sharing option so you can use two sets of headphones with one device.
If you have an Android or Google device, many of the same features are supported, including instant pairing, syncing and switching between Google devices, and spatial audio with compatible Pixel devices. The Beats Android app provides controls, a battery widget, settings, and other features.
The earbuds are also integrated with Apple and Google’s Find My systems, meaning you can locate them if you lose them, regardless of platform.
Good sound quality but no noise cancelling
The Solo Buds have good sound quality but lack noise cancellation. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
One big feature that was cut to achieve the lower price point was noise cancellation, so the Solo Buds rely entirely on silicone earbud tips to block out the outside world. They perform reasonably well when playing music, but they can’t completely block out the noise of your commute like the Buds+ can.
However, they are equipped with the same drivers as Beats’ more expensive earphones, so the sound quality is worth the price. They produce great, easy-to-listen-to sound with a decent amount of bass balanced with the highs. The earphones sound great across a range of genres and never sound shrill or cheap. Sound separation is solid, but they lack a bit of detail and aren’t quite on par with the best in the business.
There’s no equalizer or other adjustments available, and they lack the spatial audio tech found in the company’s more expensive earbuds, making movies and TV shows less immersive when watching them on Apple devices, though the Solo Buds are compatible with Google’s spatial audio system in Pixel devices.
Call quality was very good in both quiet environments and noisy city streets, and although my voice sounded slightly compressed, it did a good job of blocking out background noise during calls.
sustainability
The case is much smaller and does not contain a battery but does contain some electrical components visible in a transparent red color. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
Apple does not disclose the expected lifespan of the battery but should last for more than 500 full charge cycles while retaining at least 80% of its original capacity.
Apple offers out-of-warranty repairs “Battery Service”. The company has not released environmental impact statements for its headphones and other accessories, but it offers trade-ins and free recycling for products, including non-Apple products.
In comparison, Beats Studio Buds are £160, Studio Buds+ are £180, Apple AirPods 3 are £169, and Fairphone Fairbuds are £189. £129Nothing Ear (a) is priced at £89.
verdict
The Solo Buds are a great set of budget earphones that straddle the line between Android and Apple platforms better than the competition.
For just £80, you get more than the basics: great sound quality, extremely long battery life, a small case, and a very comfortable fit. Perfect integration into the iPhone is something only Apple can offer, and Android offers much the same functionality with the Beats app.
There are some shortcomings compared to the brand’s more expensive earbuds and competitors, the biggest of which is the lack of noise cancellation, which may be a turn-off for some, as well as the lack of hands-free Siri support, water resistance rating, and Apple spatial audio, but these may be negligible given the price.
The battery is not replaceable and the earbuds are not repairable, so they are ultimately disposable, which will cost them a star.
Strong Points: Great sound quality, cross-platform compatibility with enhanced features for iPhone and Android, great battery life, small case, compact and comfortable for long periods of use, stable button control, low cost.
Cons: No noise cancellation, no Apple spatial audio, music doesn’t pause when removed, not repairable.
The Solo Buds are great, affordable earbuds that fit in your pocket. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The Solo 4 headphones are an improvement on the fan-favorite headphones that made Beats famous, upgraded with longer battery life, improved sound quality, and the latest features favored by Apple and Android.
The original Solo HD was launched in 2009 and was updated in 2016 as the Solo 3 after Apple acquired Beats. Now in its fourth generation, the Solo headphones are the company’s smallest and lightest at £200 (€230 / $200 / AU$330), making them cheaper than the £350 Studio Pro.
The design remains essentially the same but has been updated with premium materials and color options. While competitors have moved away from this shape, Beats continues to offer on-ear headphones that sit on top of the ears rather than around them.
A slight reduction in pressure on the sides of your head and softer ear cushions make these headphones more comfortable than previous models. They fold up for easy transport and come with a compact, easy-to-use case.
The “b” logo in the ring surrounding it and the volume buttons are easy to use as they make a satisfying click sound when pressed. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian
The left ear cup houses a Beats button with playback controls and a volume rocker, as well as a small, easy-to-miss white LED next to the 3.5mm headphone socket for the detachable cable, indicating power and connection status – a rare feature on wireless headphones these days.
The right cup houses the power button and a USB-C socket for charging the headphones, or for wired listening or calls with USB-equipped devices. The battery lasts up to 50 hours with Bluetooth playback, and the headphones can also be used without battery power using the included 3.5mm analog cable.
specification
weight: 217g
size: 177 x 158 x 68mm
driver: 40mm
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm, USB-C audio and charging
YC’s Black Alumni Tells How They Raised $107 Million
Cold outreach with a warm touch: Here’s a quick pitch I emailed to investors
sometimes non-traditional The route will lead to the best results. Zack Coeliusis a managing partner at Coelius Capital and started out as an entrepreneur. Over the past 20 years, he has founded many companies and after successfully exiting one of his ventures into the world of angel investing through a syndicate.
and after a while that His connections led him to VC, but not as part of a group. Essentially, Coelius’ connections and reputation allow him to serve as the sole general partner (GP).
In this column, I’ve summarized the takeaways Coelius shared with me about his experience getting his foot in the door, how to leverage favor, and the strategies he found most useful as a solo GP.
Focus on the founders first
If you want to become a VC, you should get involved with some VCs, right? Not necessarily, Coelius says.
That’s the problem largely Entry-level investors go to VCs first. But unless you’re a close friend of the VC, they probably aren’t offering you quality deals. Investors keep the best deals to themselves, so you probably won’t have access to the best unless you start making significant changes.
Not ready to put your trust fund or wealth from a successful exit to work? Coelius has a better and cheaper proposition. It’s about making friends with the founders. Then please help them.
At the end of the day, it all comes back to relationships. The more you support VCs, founders, and the startup community at large, the more prestige you’ll gain.
This requires a lot of networking, but being able to bridge the gap between founders and VCs can be a huge boon for founders. And if you can be helpful at a critical time, you’re more likely to be rewarded and get involved in the deal.
But don’t give it away. No one likes to be bound by strict agreements. Rather, it’s a “you get what you give” situation. Founders don’t want to feel like you’re tying them down, so keep it casual.
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