More than a Mask
More than a Mask
By: Mike Collette (Owner of Prototype Training Systems)
Many people have been excited to get back to their gyms after several months of being shut down here in Massachusetts. While some people were fortunate to be able to take their training outdoors as we did at Prototype or workout from the comfort of their own home while doing virtual classes, that hasn’t been the case for everyone.
Along with social distancing, enhanced cleaning, improved air circulation, temperature checks, and a whole host of additional protocols we have implemented to keep our members safe , Governor Baker has implemented a mandatory mask policy here in Massachusetts. Since that announcement, we have aligned with what the Governor has mandated and have made masks mandatory at all times while training at Prototype.
Not all gyms are making masks mandatory at all times. Some are fortunate to have enough space to keep people 14 feet away at all times and only mandate the masks while people aren’t in their designated workout area.
The reality for us at Prototype is that we don’t like taking risks and we want to keep our members safe while keeping things simple.
Regardless of how you may feel about the use of masks, as a gym owner, we have certainly got the short end of the stick at every turn in 2020. An industry that aims to help others and combat disease has been utterly demonized and viewed as potential “super spreader” locations. The actual facts don’t reinforce that idea, however. The data shows the exact opposite, but I digress.
With more local shutdowns and with harsh restrictions, not all gyms have been able to survive this year. Did you know:
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Over 6,000 local gyms are closed already
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- According to Yelp, more than 6,000 fitness facilities are closed already, including 57 percent temporary closures and 43 percent permanent closures, with no end to the pandemic in sight.
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Gym closure rate is 5x restaurants
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- The nation’s gyms and fitness facilities face higher closure rates than other hard-hit industries, like restaurants and bars, according to Yelp. Based on its respective size, the gym industry has a closure rate nearly five times the restaurant industry and one-third higher than the bar/nightclub industry.
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1 in 4 gyms face bankruptcy
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- Without government help, one-quarter of the 40,000 US fitness facilities could close by the end of 2020, according to an analysis by fitness industry association IHRSA.
Yeah, gyms have been hit pretty hard.
The crazy thing is gyms and fitness facilities are a place where people combat chronic disease and work to improve both their physical and mental wellness.
- Research has shown that exercise reduces the risk of infectious diseases like influenza and pneumonia and chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
- Exercise has been shown to protect against and reduce the risk of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a major cause of death in patients with COVID-19.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned that even being overweight may put individuals at increased risk of severe COVID-19.
- Stay-at-home orders, remote work/school, and other COVID-related measures have led to surges in rates of depression
, obesity
, and other health issues.
- Information is taken from the Community Gyms Coalition
With all this in mind, wearing a mask while exercising can’t be the worst thing, right?
Listen, I don’t want to wear a mask while I’m working out, I don’t believe anyone really wants to!
My first thought a few months ago was that wearing a mask would be a detriment if anything, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I wish things were normal, where we could give hugs and high fives after a workout. Where we can hang out after class is over. Where we can have big celebrations, parties, and events.
We just aren’t there yet, but hopefully soon.
I’ve been using a mask while training for the last few weeks and here are my thoughts:
- I’m a big fan of the neck gaiters
, specifically the performance material gaiters. You just need to get one that fits your face well. If you have one and it doesn’t fit, get a kids one, that might be more snug!
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- If you’re not a Neck Gaiter person, try the Under Armour Training Mask, I’ve heard it’s comfortable and easy to breathe in
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- Sneaking in breaths of air by pulling down the mask is actually to your detriment
, it also defeats the purpose of wearing the mask – the virus. When trying to acclimatize to the heat, for instance, you don’t keep doing back into an AC cooled building – that wouldn’t really help. You want to get used to it.
- If you absolutely have to do this, go outside and get some fresh air. It’s cold here in MA, which means the humidity should be down which makes it easier to breathe.
- There is no evidence that wearing a mask decreases your performance , this is more mental than anything else. The idea that you are breathing in what you breathe out (CO2) is just not aligned with the data. So remind yourself of that when working out! You’re not wearing an elevation training mask, those are hard to breathe in!
- You need to go at your pace and your comfort level . When breathing becomes tougher, most people panic. Just slow it down and regain composure.
- You will adapt . The human body is awesome and is capable of way more than working out with a mask. You have to do it more than once.
As with most things, it’s all about mindset. A tiny piece of cloth should not have control over what you do or do not do.
If you think it’s terrible and sucks – then it will.
If you embrace it and keep going, you’ll be fine and fitter at the end. Just imagine how good it will be without a mask when we are able to get back to that place?! It will make the hugs and high fives even better too.
So do me a favor… give it a try. Workout with your mask on more than a few times.
Look at it as a mental challenge, like completing “Murph”. Remind yourself that the short-term discomfort to keep your physical and mental health in a good place this winter is worth it.
Thank you and mask up!
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