Sometimes a workout can only feel complete with an awesome playlist thrumming in the background. However, American soldiers have long been banned from wearing earbuds at the gym while wearing their PT uniforms. What’s a serviceman in need of a beat to do?

According to the Army Times, the music situation in military gyms is looking up. The Army’s head honcho approved a proposal that would make it okay to wear earbuds with the PT uniform. However the policy change is still being finalized, so service members will probably have to wait a bit longer before busting out the buds.

“Until the new policy is published, as an Army directive or as an update to AR 670-1, soldiers are to adhere to the current policy,” said Paul Prince, an Army spokesman.

He added, “We are working diligently to implement the change as soon as possible while making sure we have properly vetted the proposed guidance through the Army Publishing Process,” he said.

In addition to simply waiting for the policy to take effect, soldiers will also have to navigate several key caveats to the rule.

– Are you leading a workout for a military-sponsored event? Are you attending one? No earbuds.

– Is your listening device of choice something that wraps around the top of your head? Sorry, in-ear headphones only.

– Are you running outside? Nope, safety risk, take ’em off.

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army Photo by Visual Information Specialist Gertrud Zach/released)