I have no problem wearing a mask or social distance or observing any measures to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. However, during high intensity workouts in the gym, I find it quite annoying that I am policed to always have the mask on above my nose.
Let me explain, before going into the gym, I wear my mask. I sanitize and while in the gym I try to keep my distance while wearing the mask despite preventing the discomfort of my breathing.
A few days ago, I was taking part in a heavy leg day session in an almost empty gym with no one anywhere nearby. After three heavy sets of squats for 10 reps each, I sat down for a respirator and pulled my mask down under my nose. Behold and behold a blended instructor from all over the room I should pull my mask back up. I said to him, “Bro, there is no one around and I did some heavy squats”.
This senseless policing of masks in the gym is surprising. I know that the instructor is just doing his job and pointed out that in the local collection procedure he states: “(1) No person may, without reasonable excuse, be without a covered face mask to cover a nose , the person’s mouth and jaw when the person is in public; or
the person is traveling in a vehicle, ship or aircraft ”.
I would imagine that these rules were made for normal situations rather than distress.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend wearing a cloth mask (not surgical masks or N-95 respirators) when social distance is difficult and when wearing one it is practical.
I also turned to Google for answers.
I typed the following: “Does the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend wearing face masks during exercise during the coronary virus pandemic?”
The answer was: “People should NOT wear exercise masks, as masks can reduce the ability to breathe comfortably. Sweat can make the mask get wet faster which makes it difficult to breathe and boosts the growth of microorganisms. The important preventive measure during exercise is to maintain a physical distance of at least one meter from others. ”
So it is ridiculous to enforce the use of masks for people who behave at my level.
Typically, gyms, which are in accordance with various laws enacted to fight the coronavirus, should make the choice of wearing a mask up to the individual practitioner.
Some of my colleagues have shared that they have canceled their membership because they believe that wearing a mask during intense exercise will do more harm than good.
For that reason, gym membership here has plummeted. I firmly believe that if a mask is made optional in the gym or forced for certain classes only, a spike will be present.
Let me reiterate that I agree with putting all measures in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, but in my humble opinion, I believe that the listed orders for the use of masks provide rules to be followed only in normal circumstances .
Do these rules still apply for high intensity sessions? Do I have to keep my sweaty mask on at all times even though the gym is checked and only a limited number of people can come in at a time to adhere to social isolation rules?
I think the rules are there to protect everyone but at the same time, the use of mask wear (always) needs to be revisited during high intensity exercises here.
I mean, think about it, sports leagues and tournaments around the world have resumed, but I don’t see cricketers, footballers, basketball players, tennis players, jockeys, boxers or even golfers competing with masks. There is a logical reason for that.
I digress.
Masks aside, the gyms are taking other measures to reduce the possible spread of the virus. They have added cleaning stations, rearranged equipment to be further apart, limited use of lockers / bathrooms and checked guest temperatures with touchless thermometers. Reminders on keeping machines clean and maintaining social distance are also all over the place. I want the mask police to apply common sense.