Gyms Should Sell $2 Earbuds

Intro

Have you ever gotten to the gym only to realize you left your earbuds at home? It’s not the end of the world, but it’s definitely not the ideal gym experience. What if you could buy cheap earbuds from the gym?

The Idea: disposable earbuds for sale at the front desk of gyms.

How it would work

Initially, I envisioned reusable earbuds that gyms could sanitize and rent multiple times, spreading the cost across users. This would require a thorough sanitation system (see next section) and mechanisms to prevent theft.

However, I discovered that earbuds can be bought in bulk for less than $1.30 per unit. After thorough research, which included expert input (ChatGPT) and a small survey (Justin Mashaal asking six of his friends), I determined that gyms could likely price the earbuds at $2 per pair. In doing so, they’d be increasing revenue, improving the member experience, and avoiding worries about sanitation or theft!

Reusable Sanitation System

If gyms were to invest in a reusable system, it would have two components. First, earbuds would be placed inside a consumer-grade UV-C sterilization box (~$130) for a 3-5 minute cycle. Second, silicone sleeves ($0.15 each) that slip over the earbud tip, preventing physical contact with users’ ears.

Although reusability reduces cost per unit over time, this system requires significant volume to recoup the high upfront cost. Coupled with lingering hygiene concerns from customers, it’s much simpler for gyms to sell cheap disposables instead.

Conclusion

For under $100, gyms could stock 75 earbuds and pilot this idea. No heavy lifting required.