Generally, experts say it’s safe to exercise with a face mask on. But it can often be more uncomfortable, says Conroy Zien, a running coach in Maryland. The more tightly-woven (and effective) the mask’s material is, the harder it is to breathe through. And since many outdoor exercises hone in on cardiovascular activity, the two efforts to breathe well and to keep from breathing in or breathing out virus particulate are in direct conflict.

“It’s counter intuitive to running,” he said. “You need oxygen when you’re running, you need breathability.”

The World Health Organization actually advises against wearing masks while exercising, as it may reduce the ability to breathe comfortably. Anyone with an underlying cardiovascular or respiratory condition should take caution when exercising with a mask on, too. If you’re going to be exercising with a face mask outdoors, you should do so solo (or with your immediate household). Try to stick to routes where you won’t encounter others or where you’ll be able to keep at least six feet from others. Zien recommends running early in the morning, or even in “inclement weather” to avoid others. “Unless you can go without seeing someone for an entire minute, you should probably wear a mask,” he said.

Just like with running, wearing a mask gets easier with practice, said Kaitlin Goodman, a running coach, marathoner and four-time Olympic Trials competitor. She agrees that wearing a mask can be an inconvenience, but to her, it’s a small one and “the least we runners can do to help limit the spread of COVID-19.”

“If you find it difficult to exercise with a mask and you’re frustrated by it, I suggest reframing how you think about mask-wearing.” she said. “Instead of thinking about what a drag it is to wear a mask while running, I try to put a positive spin on it and think of it as an added challenge that provides an extra aerobic benefit.