Now that many state and local mandates have been made requiring patrons of any indoor public business to wear a mask, many concerns have arisen regarding wearing a mask during exercise. While it may be unfavorable, it is necessary. Similar to how your body adjusts to exercising in higher elevation, your body will adjust to wearing a mask during exercise.
First and foremost, here are the guidelines you should be following while visiting gym and fitness centers, per the CDC:
Prepare before you go
- Use options for online reservations and check-in systems when available.
- Look for any extra prevention practices being implemented by the facility, such as new plexiglass barriers, staff wearing masks, and closing of shared locker room space.
- Be prepared that locker room access may be limited to the restroom area only, prohibiting the use of showers and changing areas.
Use social distancing and limit physical contact
- If you attend a group training session, be sure to maintain as much distance as possible between yourself and other individuals, and use masks.
- Maintain at least 6 feet of separation as much as possible in areas that may lead to close contact (within 6 feet) among other people.
- Don’t shake hands, give high-fives, do elbow bumps, or touch others.
Take extra precautions with shared equipment
- Ensure equipment is clean and disinfected. Wipe down machines and equipment with disinfecting wipes and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol before using machines.
- Do not share items that cannot be cleaned, sanitized, or disinfected between use, such as resistance bands and weightlifting belts.
Wear a mask
- Wear a mask when interacting with other people to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus.
- Wearing masks is most important when physical distancing is difficult and when exercise type and intensity allows.
- Wash your hands before adjusting your mask—review information about proper use, removal, and washing of masks.
Wearing a mask can be very uncomfortable and difficult, but it doesn’t have to be a nuisance to wear a mask (except for those who have a hard time wearing a face covering at first, especially those with breathing issues already).
To everyone adjusting to this new normal, here are five common mistakes that you may be making while wearing a mask, and how to correctly wear it to make things more comfortable for you.
- Wearing the mask incorrectly. Just like clothes, masks come in different sizes and designs, so make sure you are wearing the mask that best suits you. The mask should fit snugly across the face and should completely cover the nose and mouth and extend below the chin.
- Removing the mask incorrectly. While removing the mask, take it off by unlooping it or untying it from the ears, so you don’t have to touch the front with your hands.
- Touching the mask too much. Once the mask is on, try to leave it alone and touch it as little as possible. This helps avoid contaminating the mask or your hands. Face shields can reduce the urge to touch your face.
- Pulling down the mask to talk. Doing this defeats the purpose of wearing a mask. It will take some time to get used to, but it is very important to keep the mask in the right place. Again, adding a face shield can help you resist the temptation to touch your face.
- Not practicing good hygiene. This is a rule that should always be followed, but ALWAYS remember the importance of washing your hands or using hand sanitizer. You should sanitize before putting on a mask and after you remove it.
We understand this is a very strange time in the world right now, and our members’ health and safety is our top priority. While it is uncomfortable to wear a mask while exercising, those 5 tips should give you some insight into how you can more comfortably wear a mask while exercising, so you can stay active and in shape at the same time.
We look forward to seeing you- don’t forget to mask up!