I’ve been back to the gym now for seven weeks. I’m a member of Anytime Fitness so I’ve frequented the gym in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but I also use the gym in Bryan, Ohio, near my sister’s house.
It was only last week when I first saw someone other than me wearing a mask while working out. Trust me, I’d rather not wear a mask while working out! And I’m the funny one that uses paper towel as a buffer when I touch ANYTHING. I’ll have to get a video of it sometime. Here is my protocol for everything I do at the gym…
- Spray down and wipe everything with disinfectant spray (I pick up the spray bottle with a towel so my skin doesn’t touch any part of it): bench, bar, the knob to adjust the bench, the pin to adjust the weights, any surface my hands touch.
- Use paper towel to pick up any free weight. I think it’s funny to see people spray down the bench when the more important thing to spray down or avoid touching are the high touch areas: free weights! It’s actually easy to do with the dumbbells, but I do it also with the free weights when loading up the barbell.
- Perform my exercise
- Spray down and wipe everything I touched with disinfectant spray
- Wash my hands thoroughly in the bathroom before leaving the gym
- Wipe down my phone with a disinfectant wipe before I touch anything in my car since I constantly touched my phone while working out
I get a lot of looks with my protocol, that’s for sure. But I got a lot of looks with the mask on in the first place. And sure, people will pick apart what I am doing. Don’t care. If I am going to risk it at the gym, I want to be as safe as I can.
I’ve tried out several masks while working out since I’ve been back to the gym. I tried a neck gaitor and a bandana but couldn’t stand the fabric touching my neck as I sweat. It was gross. One of the better masks I’ve used was a performance mask from a small company called Zensah. The mask fit around my face well, but I didn’t like the two straps (upper and lower) around my head.
But I have finally found a mask that will work, made by one of my favorite brands: Under Armour. When health officials began saying healthy people should wear facemasks, UA started building prototypes until they made the perfect one for athletes. It’s got the airflow you need, a cool feel, and the best fit for running or training.
It’s made from performance fabrics like polyester and spandex, which wick moisture away from your face. It has a comfortable fit, with a moldable nose bridge so that it stays securely on your face. Even better, unlike the vast majority of athletic face masks, it comes in multiple sizes. And it can be easily hand washed and reused as much as you want.
They are currently sold out, BUT it is available for pre-order that will ship on or before August 17. Click here to check out the mask and get yours!
Since you are a part of my fitness tribe, I wanted to share this with you first before writing a blog article about it.
Last, I wanted to address the many concerns I’ve received for wearing a mask while working out since it restricts oxygen. Yes. A mask restricts oxygen. I’ve researched many articles online about the impacts of wearing a mask while working out. Many people have many opinions. Just like for anything in life. That is ok.
I’ve determined that wearing a mask is the safe option for me and others around me. I would recommend easing into heavy cardio with a mask on. Pay attention to your heart rate since studies have shown that your heart rate elevates more with a mask since your body is using more energy to breath. I’ve also read that some restricted airflow can also help strengthen your breathing and overall lung capacity (similar to high altitude training). So it’s not all bad. Finally, I believe that working out with a mask is much healthier for me than not working out at all!
I hope this helps if you are thinking about going back to the gym or are already going back!
Disclosure: The product link above is an affiliate link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
