Gym Hack: How to Listen to TV at the Gym (Using the Tunity App)

If you’ve ever wondered how to listen to TV at the gym when it’s muted, I’m about to share how using the Tunity app! It couldn’t be easier.

I discovered a little gym hack today that I felt like sharing!

And I realize this post is a little contradictory since my whole schtick is “I don’t watch TV, here’s all the things I do instead!” – HOWEVER. I make an exception when I’m at the gym.

Fun fact: I never grew up with cable or any of the ‘fun’ channels – so I was the weirdo who would go to the gym based on when a show I wanted to watch was airing live and watch it on a treadmill/elliptical/etc.

Now I know it’s easy to just throw YouTube, Netflix, etc. on your phone to watch what you want while working out. But sometimes I find it a little nostalgic to get sucked into shows on actual channels that I wouldn’t normally watch.

Case in point: This morning E! was streaming Sex and the City and I instantly got sucked in, but got tired of reading subtitles a few minutes in and looked for a solution to listen through my headphones. I know some of the featured TVs at Lifetime have the radio channel under the screen – but like…how do you even listen to the radio on your phone?

How can I listen to muted TV at the gym?

I eventually found an app called Tunity that allows you to scan the channel you’re watching. It automatically recognizes the channel, syncs up, and boom – you’ve got the audio on your phone! Tip: Just don’t scan during a commercial (the same commercials could be playing on lots of different channels :). Takes less than two seconds to scan + recognize the channel you’re on (you won’t look like a weirdo holding it up for a long time) and it works flawlessly!

And, it’s free! I skipped creating an account and was still able to use it.

How to use the Tunity App: Apple and Android

Why I like using the Tunity app to listen to muted TV (hint: multitasking!)

Even while you’re listening to the TV audio, you can use your phone like normal – the audio will play in the background. So you can still check e-mail, scroll social media, use your phone like normal, etc. – just like you would if you were sitting on the couch watching regular TV. I love the ability to multitask! (Vs. when you’re watching something on your phone, you’re stuck watching that on your phone).

How to listen to muted TV anywhere

I’m not a sports person but another useful application for Tunity would be grabbing audio to a muted TV in a bar, getting your nails done, anywhere multiple TVs are playing and you want to tune in.

You could even use Tunity if you’re at home and don’t want to annoy your spouse (I won’t name names), or want to listen to TV through headphones while you’re walking around the house vs. glued in front of the screen.

That’s it! Random life tip that I felt like sharing. Give it a try – I promise it’ll help pass the time at the gym and make you want to stay just a *little* bit longer!