In my experience, you’re 100% right about those over-ears. I tried training in my Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones once and they were basically falling off during my warm-up... super annoying. Plus, sweat ruins the leatherette pads fast, so it’s good you're looking for a change before they get trashed. For your HIIT and heavy lifting, I would suggest going with the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds. They’re definitely the best balance of that punchy bass you like and a secure fit. Here is why they actually work for high-intensity stuff: - Fit & Stability: They use these polyurethane foam tips that kinda expand in your ear canal. If you "roll" the tips between your fingers before putting them in, they lock in place really well. I've done burpees and mountain climbers in them and they didn't even budge.
- Sweat Resistance: They have an IPX4 rating. It’s not waterproof-waterproof, but it handles heavy gym sweat just fine. Just wipe 'em down after.
- ANC Power: Since you’re worried about loud gym music, these have the best noise cancellation of any Sony bud. It’s almost on par with the over-ears, honestly. The Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds are also a decent option cuz they’re lowkey the most comfortable buds Sony makes. They’re lighter, so they have less "swing" during explosive movements. But tbh, the ANC on the XM5 buds is way better for drowning out annoying gym playlists. If you're worried about the price of the XM5s getting beat up at the gym, maybe check out the Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds. They’re way cheaper, so if you lose one or they get gross over time, it’s not a huge loss, and they’re surprisingly solid for the price. Anyway, I’d go with the XM5 buds if you have the budget. Just make sure you test all the tip sizes to get that 'locked-in' feel. Good luck with the HIIT! 👍

sooo i went through this last year. basically, high-intensity stuff like HIIT creates a ton of lateral force that most 'lifestyle' buds just cant handle. if the seal breaks, you lose all that punchy bass ur looking for. i used to baby my high-end gear at the gym until i realized the tech specs just dont align with heavy sweat and burpees... just sharing my experience with some budget-friendly alternatives:
- Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones: these are super light. honestly, weight is the biggest factor for stability during movement.
- Sony WF-SP800N Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Digital Headphones: i found these have 'arc supporters' that literally lock into your ear fold. the XM5s you mentioned are nice but for the gym... idk, the weight distribution feels off for mountain climbers. the C700N is waaay cheaper and handles the movement better imo. gl!

tbh i saw this earlier and i kinda have a different take than the folks suggesting the high-end flagships. if you're doing burpees and mountain climbers, weight is your biggest enemy. even the best noise canceling doesnt matter if the bud is flying across the room, right? instead of dropping 300 bucks on the flagship buds, id honestly suggest looking at the Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless Headphones. they are super light and way more compact, which means they dont catch as much momentum when you're moving fast. my little diy hack for these is to skip the expensive foam tips everyone talks about because they just soak up sweat and get nasty after a week of hiit. i actually bought some cheap generic silicone wing covers that slide over the housing. it adds that mechanical grip you need for floor work without ruining the sound profile. plus, if you accidentally crush them with a dumbbell (which i totally havent done... lol), you wont feel like you just threw away a car payment. sometimes simpler is just better for the gym environment.

Honestly, if you look at the market research for fitness audio, Sony has really been pivoting their design language lately to fix the stability issues you are seeing. While the flagship models are tech masterpieces, they often miss the mark on high lateral movement because they rely on friction rather than mechanical grip. If you want to stay in the Sony ecosystem but need that locked-in feel for burpees, you should look at their newer specialized fitness-oriented designs.

• Sony LinkBuds Fit Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds: These were basically built to solve the exact problem you are having. They feature new air cushion supporters that hook into the ear fold, which provides way more security than the smooth housing of the XM5 series.
• Sony Float Run Off-Ear Headphones: From a practical standpoint, if you find that ear pressure during HIIT is too much, these are a great alternative. They use a neckband for total stability during explosive movement, though you do sacrifice some of that deep noise cancellation you mentioned. The reality is that Sony is finally catching up to the ergonomic standards of traditional sport brands. The Fit model specifically uses a much more textured, grippy material compared to the premium matte finish on the XM5s, which tends to get pretty slippery once you start sweating heavy. Tbh, for mountain climbers and floor work, having that physical wing tip is the only way to ensure the seal does not break when your jaw clenches or your head moves fast.

Good to know!

Honestly, before you drop a few hundred on a new pair, have you tried the DIY route for fit? I consider myself a bit of a tinkerer and I've found that you can basically hack your way into a stable fit without needing to pay for top-tier professional sports models. I had the same sliding issue and instead of buying new gear, I started doing some self-service on my setup to make them gym-ready:

• Swapping stock tips for high-density memory foam. It creates a custom seal that handles sweat way better than the factory silicone and stops that annoying wiggle.
• Using generic silicone wing sleeves. They are super cheap and add that mechanical grip you need for burpees.
• I actually use a pair of Sony WF-C500 as my gym beaters. Since they are simpler, it is way easier to maintain them myself if the charging pins get gunky from sweat. Tbh, I think people overcomplicate the sweat resistance thing. Just being practical and cleaning the contacts yourself with some isopropyl alcohol after a heavy HIIT session works wonders for durability. It is way more cost-effective than buying a new flagship every time you start a new routine!!! Anyway, just some food for thought before you spend more cash.