Face masks for working out that won’t make you feel like you’re inhaling sweat and fabric with each gasping breath? They do exist.

It’s hard to believe that it’s officially been a year since the coronavirus upended all our lives. And now that the end is sort of in sight with widespread vaccinations, the shift to reopening is happening slowly, with new rules. In California, indoor gyms are now open (btw: you can find a master list of current Outdoor Workouts in Los Angeles here), but many still require masks to be worn during the workout. So what are the best face masks for working out available now in 2021?

I did some digging (and guinea-pig testing) and found the 5 Best Face Masks to wear during a workout that avoid all the usual issues. Most masks get soaked and soggy from your sweat and heavy breathing, and the result is—disgusting. You inhale your own spit. IYKYK. I’m not still traumatized by it or anything.

Another problem with most masks is they don’t wick away or absorb moisture while you’re working out, and that trapped moisture then frequently leads to maskne (aka acne caused by your mask on your cheeks, nose, and chin). Speaking of, you can find more info in this article on maskne from Shape Magazine.

Masks need to stay mostly dry while you sweat.

Let’s talk about some other musts. A good mask for working out must be:

• Sweat-wicking (stays mostly dry)
• Breathable
• Adjustable
• Comfortable

A note on wearing face masks while working out: the way you breathe matters.

I get that wearing a mask while sweating can be uncomfortable. Oftentimes people find the sensation suffocating, so I want to remind you to try to relax and try to focus on controlling your breathing. Try to relax—anxiety will just make it more difficult. Wearing a mask is actually a great mild challenge to strengthen your lungs and breath capacity. Once you start breathing deeper, you’ll find it a lot easier to tolerate breathing through the mask.

Skeptical? Well, if you’ve ever taken a spin class, you know what an intense cardio workout it is. But I’m happy to report that you can totally do it in a mask. I have! It is slightly more challenging only because it requires you to be more mindful of how you breathe. But this is a good thing, because it will help you improve your overall fitness performance whether you’re wearing a mask or not.

Here’s how to breathe better:

Aim to take slow, deep breaths in the lowest part of your belly.

If you’ve taken my online Meditation course about Breathing techniques (Shortcut to Calm, a great way to improve your breathing and mindfulness), you’ve learned how to do this deep breathing during your meditation practice. Think of inflating your ribs like a balloon. Focus on the airflow coming from the lower parts of your lungs and diaphragm, and not on how the air is coming in and out of your nose. Relax your face, mouth, and throat. Try to breathe in a steady rhythm.

If you’re struggling, back off on your workout. This goes for whether you’re wearing a mask or not–you always want to be able to breathe steadily during your workout, especially cardio. If you’re ever pushing yourself to the point of being red-faced and gasping, you’re over-activating your body’s stress response, which can actually make your workout work against you and cause more inflammation than good.

One last thing about wearing masks—

It’s all about how you choose to look at the situation (like every situation we face). For me, it’s a clear and easy way to protect others and myself, and to demonstrate that I care about the health of those around me, vaccinated or not. And if you have the right mask, it’s really not uncomfortable either. Dare I say I sometimes… enjoy wearing one?

My top mask of choice to stay comfortable while working out is number one on the list below. Remember that choosing to wear reusable face masks helps both you and the environment (but don’t worry, I do you have you covered on a top-rated disposable option as well!). They can all be machine washed with warm water, and I hang mine dry to keep them lasting longer. And they’re really the best of the best when it comes to handling a workout.

Let’s get into it!

The 5 Best Face Masks For Working Out in 2021

1. Onzie Mindful Masks

Onzie is one of my favorite activewear brands, and they now make my favorite mask to workout in (it’s what I’m wearing in the photos on this page)! One of the first companies to react to the coronavirus by pivoting to create and sell masks, Onzie had the right idea from the start: why not take up-cycled activewear performance material and use it to create masks? The result is the unisex Mindful Mask that is comfortable, breathable, cool (in temperature and style), sweat-wicking, flexible, and sustainable. The definition of a top mask to work out in.

You can currently choose a random assorted 2-pack for the masks, or select specific colors and styles in pre-made bundles. The masks are created with “a multi-layer fabric made of Full Flex Spandex technology for the exterior with a high performance inner lining and soft touch spandex straps.” Onzie also makes a line of Mindful Masks for Kids!

Even better: During their Mindful Mask initiative, Onzie donated thousands of masks to local hospitals, as well as a portion of proceeds to healthcare workers across America through the Center For Disaster Philanthropy. Gotta love a company that makes good products with a good cause.

Buy: Mindful Masks, $24 (pack of 2) via Onzie

2. Adidas Face Covers

Adidas Face Covers are sporty, chic, and unisex. The flexible material and stretch bands around the ears provide full coverage, comfort, and ease of use. They’re made with two layers of fabric that are soft, breathable, and ready for your workout.

These masks are very similar to Reebok Face Covers (btw: they’re owned by the same parent company, and Reebok’s masks also come highly recommended), but I prefer Adidas’ because they’re made out of Primegreen, a high-performance recycled material. Always bonus points for sustainability.

Adidas Face Covers come in two sizes (XS/S or M/L), so you can get a fit that’s better suited to your face. They also have different color pack options, so be sure to explore their options to fit your look!

Buy: Face Covers, $20 (pack of 3) via Adidas—Choose XS/S or M/L

3. Athleta Activate Face Mask

As I embarked on my research for this post, I asked my Instagram followers and fellow Facebook Group members about their favorite face masks to wear for working out, and time and time again Athleta came highly recommended. Like Onzie, Athleta makes their Activate Face Masks out of the same material as their activewear—in this case, their performance-driven, comfortable TurboDry™ fabric. They dry sweat as quickly as it comes, and stay feeling light and airy against your skin through long usages.

These soft and breathable masks are were designed specifically with your active lifestyle in mind, and are perfect for yoga, spin, and beyond. They have adjustable, soft knit ear loops for all-day comfort and a moldable nose piece. The masks have even been proven to have an average 90.3% particle-blocking performance to keep you safe both in the gym and on the street. Athleta also makes a line of similar Made to Move face masks designed for kids.

Buy: Activate Face Mask, $30 or 2 via Athleta

4. Under Armor Sportsmask

This is for all my serious athletes, or those who just want the best of the best. Introducing the Mercedes of the workout face mask collection: the Under Armor Sportsmask. This unisex face mask truly is the perfect face mask for athletes. As their website says: “It’s got the airflow you need, a cool feel, and the best fit for running or training.”

Specifically designed to be worn for those participating in serious sports, the Sportsmask is really everything you could want in a workout mask. Made with high-performance UA materials, the mask has a structured design that sits up off the face and lips. It has three layers: the outer layer made with light air pockets, an open cell foam to reduce moisture, and an iso-chill fabric interior that is actually designed to stay cool against your skin and features an anti-microbial treatment.

The Under Armor Sportsmask comes in five different sizes, from XS to XXL. It has a less “sleek” look, but it’s all about function, anyway. The best part? It has built-in UPF 50+ sun protection (you know I’m a big fan of sun protection). Safe to say this mask puts in the work—so you can, too.

Buy: Sportsmask, $30 or 2 for $40 via Under Armor

5. Sudilo Disposable Face Masks

If you’re looking for a disposable option, look no further than Sudilo Disposable Face Masks from Amazon. They’re the perfect option for a workout because they’re super light and breathable, don’t get soggy, and are this chic black color. They have 3 filter layers for protection, an adjustable nose piece, comfortable elastic ear pieces, and they’re highly affordable.

I know, because I put one of these face masks through the TEST. My cousin had a small outdoor wedding a few weeks ago for family, and we had a dance floor. I initially was wearing a super cute fancy silk face mask in rose gold that was the same shade as my dress—it was a 2021 Inauguration monochrome vibe, but that mask was definitely more pretty than functional. Once I started dancing, the fabric pulled into my mouth with every breath and I was actually gasping.

Luckily, I’d brought one of these Sudilo Disposable Face Masks as a backup. I pulled it out of my jacket pocket, swapped it out, and it stayed put, sturdy, dry, and breathable as I proceeded to dance for 2 hours straight. Safe to say, it passed the test.

Buy: Sudilo Disposable Face Masks, $11 (pack of 50) via Amazon

A note on disposable masks: please cut the strings when you throw them away! This will help protect marine and wildlife that may encounter the mask as trash in the future. Otherwise, they can get potentially caught and strangled in the mask strings.

(Photo credit: Mary Joe Weichel for Carbon38—get 15% off with code AMYBAA15, btw—at Elevate Training)

Enjoy being in WORKOUT CLASSES again, everyone! It feels so good to be together again, even if we do have to wear masks. It’s been a long pandemic, but we’ll be out of it soon. Stay safe and socially distanced out there, and have fun reconnecting with other people again! A big lesson of this whole experience has definitely been that we all need each other, sometimes more than we remember.

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Do you know of any other good face masks for working out in 2021? Let me know—drop a Comment in the Disqus section below!

xo,

Amy

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