WHILE some quarantine protocols allow physical exercises outside, the task of fusing new routines are challenging.
One notable practice and or mandatory requirement is wearing face masks.
Wearing face masks and observing physical distancing is one way of protecting ourselves from any virus or airborne contaminants.
The best place to exercise is at the safety of our homes where you don’t have to wear face masks during routines. But some may still prefer the outdoors for many reasons. The question is when doing the exercises, do we need to wear face masks? What are the pros and cons of wearing a mask and not wearing a mask during outdoor physical exercises?
The primary concern of wearing and not wearing face masks during outdoor exercise is health safety.
While exercise is better without masks, it is too risky because we are with other people outdoors.
Experts, however, say that we can still do our exercises with a face mask on. We must be observant of how we feel and be mindful of signs such as wooziness, shakiness, coldness or tingling and shortness of breath.
This signs should not be ignored as it signals your body to slow down, get a sip of water or temporarily remove the mask and do some deep breathing or regulated inhales and exhales.
Wearing a face mask during workouts would definitely decrease the level of performance compared to doing it without the facemask.
One trainer said, while we prefer not wearing a facemask during an exercise workout, we cannot risk getting the virus so we must adjust. Wearing a facemask is just like going into altitude training, or being in a colder place where the air is denser than in a warmer place making it harder to catch air for breathing. Hence, training your lungs' stamina.
There is no denying that due to the virus and with no medicine or vaccine yet, we cannot be negligent about the safety protocol and be selfish.
We do not protect just ourselves but we protect ourselves to protect our loved ones who can get infected by us if we bring home the virus.
So, while we fancy getting fit by going out for our exercise routine, we should also be cautious of safety and sanitizing protocols and guidelines while we are outside and when going home.
Stay safe and stay healthy.