The Best Masks To Wear While Exercising

By Aaron Boike, B.S. Kinesiology, ACE Certified Personal Trainer, USECA Certified Running Coach

As Covid-19 continues to grow in numbers across the country, many of us are looking to take extra precautions to ensure we’re keeping ourselves and our communities safe. Chances are, there are some people who wear masks at your favorite local gym, and others that don’t. Most mask mandates across the country give a pass to the normal rules when it comes to working out in a gym, although you are mandated to wear a mask as you enter and exit the facility, as well as when you’re not actively exercising. With the virus in a new and dangerous phase in much of the country, masking up at the gym seems more and more like the responsible thing to do, at least temporarily until things are back under control.

But let’s face it..most face coverings are pretty uncomfortable in general, and even more so when working out. Common issues raised with wearing a mask while active include; difficulty breathing through the mask (although, research shows no drop in oxygen levels when breathing through a mask), the mask getting wet during the workout and becoming uncomfortable, and the fit of the mask making it difficult to keep on during more vigorous activity. These are all legitimate problems, but luckily we have a lot more options for masking up than we did earlier in 2020, and we’re going to outline a few of the best to keep you working out safely during the pandemic.

The Standard Disposable 3-Ply Mask

These masks can be found at virtually all major stores these days and they are actually a great choice to use during workouts. These masks are made of three layers of paper to filter out particles going in and out of the mask. Some brands offer a light mesh between layers for added filtration. Surprisingly, these masks are a comfortable and effective mask to use during workouts. The three layers offer good filtration while being exceptionally breathable. In addition, the fit of these masks are solid due to the plastic or wire nose bridge that most models feature. This helps to fit the mask tightly to your nose, holding it in place during workouts. For those with smaller faces, simply twisting the ear loops into an “X” makes for a tighter fit. Due to the concave shape of these masks, they rarely get saturated with moisture during workouts at the gym, but this may be an issue for hot weather workouts or more intense cardio. In a pinch, these can be a cheap and solid option during your workouts.

The KN95 Mask

The KN95 is a mask that is made to the chinese standard for medical filtration (as opposed to the N95 in the US, which is proven to be more effective), and offers some level of filtration for both particles going out of and into the mask. Perhaps the biggest highlight for this type of mask during workouts is the fit and comfort. The KN95 fits most faces very securely, and of the masks we’ve tested, moves the least during intense exercise. It also has a structured concave shape, making it very easy to breathe while wearing. Since the majority of the material of the KN95 isn’t actually touching the face, they stay dry easily during even more intense workouts. You can find KN95’s at many major retailers, including Amazon.com.

Cloth Masks Made of Moisture Wicking Materials

There are a ton of brands now that are cloth making masks made specifically for activity. These masks stand out from the crowd due to their high tech moisture wicking material. This material is more breathable than standard multi-ply cotton and is also much lighter. These masks come in various shapes and sizes, and have a variety of features and benefits as far as fit. Some of our favorites include the Rawlings Sport Mask, the Outdoor Research Face Mask Kit and the BOCO Gear X Performance Mask.

The Multi-Layered Neck Gaiter

While there is still a bit of controversy over the effectiveness of the standard single-ply neck gaiter when it comes to spreading Covid-19, research does suggest that having multiple layers does make the neck gaiter more effective and has a bigger impact than the actual shape of the face covering itself, as long as it covers both the nose and mouth. There are now a handful of brands making multi-layered neck gaiters that are specifically designed to be used as masks. In addition, they are an awesome accessory for the colder months, as they can double protection for your neck or head from the elements (note that you’d want to wash your gaiter after using it as a mask to ensure no virus particles are on the mask). Buff, one of pioneers in performance gaiters, makes a great option called the FilterTube.

We hope you found some good options to help you mask up for your next workout. If we all do our part, we can keep our favorite gyms safe and allowed to remain open during the pandemic!