Exercising With A Mask

Exercising while wearing a mask has become quite the talking point during these uncertain times. How does it effect my health? What if I’m not even around others while I’m exercising? Does it limit my performance? So many unknown questions. This article will help address the most common ones in three easy to understand key areas:

Exercising With A Mask

• Comfort - You need to find a mask that's comfortable for you to wear. You could have the best mask out there but if you don't like wearing it, well, you're most likely not going to wear it
• Breathing vs Transmission Rate - Cotton / Cloth masks work best as they have low transmission rates and still allow for circulation. Focus on deeper breathing as best you can
• Trials - Go out on walks with your face mask on and allow your body to get accustomed to how it feels. Then slowly increase intensity of your exercising

• More Information Below

Guidelines & Purpose

• Guidelines: Directly coming from the CDC, we're all recommended to wear a face covering (mask) when we are traveling about the general public. Mostly in places where social distancing is challenging. Think of places like your local super market, heavily trafficked city streets, or even at your go-to fitness facility.
• Purpose: Believe it or not, the face mask isn't really to protect you, as the wearer, but to protect those around you. You heard that right, the mask's sole purpose is actually to prevent your air from getting out, not other's air from coming in.  Thus, the idea is that, if you are in-fact sick, you have a lesser chance of passing that onto others.

• More Information Below

Exercise Science

• I'm guessing that you're wondering if you can put your body at risk of Carbon Dioxide poisoning / toxicity during exercises, be it in they gym or out, running, while wearing a mask right? That's certainly a great question and the short answer is most likely "NO". Since most masks, with the exception of medical-grade N95 types, don't create a solid seal around your mouth and noes, circulation can still occur.

• More Information Below

Exercising with a mask
Guidelines & Purpose
Exercise Science

1. Exercising with a mask

So do we have to exercise with a mask? All is going to come down to the lovely word: depends. It depends on your states regulations and if the gym you’re going to requires such from its customers during your visit. When it comes to exercising with a mask we can look at three specific key factors:

• Comfort – You need to find a mask that’s comfortable for you to wear. You could have the best mask out there but if you don’t like wearing it, well, you’re most likely not going to wear it
• Breathing vs Transmission Rate – Cotton / Cloth masks work best as they have low transmission rates and still allow for circulation. Focus on deeper breathing as best you can
• Trials – Go out on walks with your face mask on and allow your body to get accustomed to how it feels. Then slowly increase intensity of your exercising
  • • • “Watch out for trouble” – Take additional breaks to give your body the chance to catch up. Stop when needed
        • Dizziness
        • Shortness of breath
        • Tingling / Numbness

If you’re exercising with a mask outdoors, feel free find sports such as tennis / swimming / biking / etc. where you can social distance from others and then take the mask off.

2. Guidelines & Purpose  

• Guidelines: Directly coming from the CDC, we’re all recommended to wear a face covering (mask) when we are traveling about the general public. Mostly in places where social distancing is challenging. Think of places like your local super market, heavily trafficked city streets, or even at your go-to fitness facility.
  • The reason the USA went all in on masks is partly because:
    • Those infected may not be showing signs for a period of time while infected
    • Traditional masks are now readily available for the general public and medical-grade masks are strictly available to those only in fields of healthcare, mainly hospitals
• Purpose: Believe it or not, the face mask isn’t really to protect you, as the wearer, but to protect those around you. You heard that right, the mask’s sole purpose is actually to prevent your air from getting out, not other’s air from coming in.  Thus, the idea is that, if you are in-fact sick, you have a lesser chance of passing that onto others.
• Florida Atlantic University put together a study showing the benefits of wearing various face coverings in relation to how well they contain droplets from your mouth upon coughing:

“not fitted with a mask … The researchers observed droplets traveling up to 12 feet within approximately 50 seconds (of the cough)”

3. Exercise Science

I’ve read everything stating that these masks can inhibit CO2 poisoning. Or that your lungs are actually getting a better workout due to decreased oxygen intake. What does the science say?

I’m guessing that you’re wondering if you can put your body at risk of Carbon Dioxide poisoning / toxicity during exercises, be it in they gym or out, running, while wearing a mask right? That’s certainly a great question and the short answer is most likely “NO”. Since most masks, with the exception of medical-grade N95 types, don’t create a solid seal around your mouth and noes, circulation can still occur.

Adjusting the mask or removing such from your face, without first washing your hands can quickly defeat the purpose of the mask. The same goes when it comes to not properly washing the mask, if reusable. When all is said and done, just be smart about protecting others and protecting yourself by following proper recommendations and guidelines while exercising.

Do You Wear A Mask While Exercising? If so, how does it feel? What are you best recommendations to others who would also like to stay in shape and also healthy?