How to Choose the Best Exercise Face Mask
Mask training is not always fun, but sometimes you have to. If you are potentially going to approach other people while exercising, or if you are exercising indoors, a mask is a must. So let’s talk about how to choose the right mask and I’ll tell you what I think of some of the popular workout masks I’ve tried.
Know the limitations
First, the bad news: Even at this stage of the pandemic, we don’t know which non-medical masks work best. There are many models available, but no one has systematically tested them, and there is no consensus on which measures would be considered “good enough”. So don’t expect a definite answer; it simply does not exist.
Masks are also only part of a strategy to prevent transmission of COVID. This is not a magical force field. No mask is perfect. However, even with a mask on, I would never train in a small room with many other people screaming or breathing heavily, like in a bicycle studio. Too many people will have droplets ejecting them onto the sides of their masks, pushing through the openings in the front and erupting straight out of their nose if they decide they don’t need to wear masks properly.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that masks can make exercise difficult. During cardio exercise, it is more difficult for them to absorb enough air. This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it’s worth knowing. If you think mask training is really unpleasant, plan off mask training as well, provided you find a safe place to do it. (Some have speculated that this side effect of wearing a mask could make your workouts more effective – like athletes moving to Colorado to breathe thinner air. How soon we forget! There was a fashion for wearing high-altitude training – modeling masks a few years ago . They do not work.)
All of this goes to show that as someone with exercise-induced asthma, I truly love having a running mask this winter. Masks warm and moisturize the air you breathe. If you wheeze while running in cold weather , try this – and then talk to your doctor because exercise-induced asthma may benefit from other treatment strategies, such as inhalers.
Best (?) Masks I’ve Tried
My favorite workout mask is the Adidas model . The site says it’s sold out until October, but I’ve seen the singles hit eBay for about the same price as the original three-pack. I caught one and I’m glad I did.
I love this mask because it’s light enough to be breathable and comfortable, yet the fabric is strong enough that I can believe it’s a decent drip barrier. It also has a pocket for you to add extra filter material, and the earloops are nice and soft.
The UnderArmour mask is considered a top-notch mask and has a matching price tag of $ 30 for one. It’s thicker than Adidas, but otherwise comfortable. But here’s the best feature: It’s stiff in the front, so no matter how hard you breathe, you won’t suck in a piece of fabric. The wire along the top of the mask also keeps exhaled air out of your eyes (and keeps it from fogging up your glasses).
Zensah makes another mask popular with athletes , although this one seems to be less protective. It is one layer, definitely breathable, but elastic and with more visible holes than the others. It also fits snugly around your mouth and nose that you’ll either love or hate. (For me: I hate it.) Its strap is different from most masks: there are two straps that go around the back of the head, not around the ears.
How and when to use the mask
Personally, I hate wearing masks while exercising, so when I want to go jogging I try my best to look for secluded trails in the woods or almost deserted suburban streets. I also climb a lot at home, in the garage, or in the driveway. This is a legitimate choice, although if you live in a busy area you can still wear a mask when exercising outdoors.
Try on your mask before bringing it to the gym. Open and close your mouth to see if it really stays in place. Breathe in some air as if you were doing nine reps out of 10 squats. Adjust the mask if necessary or replace it with a different one.
And then wear it right. Tearing it off the nose during the climb is to destroy the entire target. Don’t turn it off while you’re breathing heavily, even if that means you need a little more rest between sets or if you need to lower your cardio intensity.
Try not to touch the mask. If you need a sip of water, unhook one of the earloops, grab a drink, and put it back on. Wash your hands at the end of the day. It is good to carry a plastic bag with you to store the mask soaked in sweat and breath, as well as to have a clean dry mask to wear at home. After removing the mask, wash or disinfect your hands.
And be sure to wash your mask when you get home. If you’re like me, you have some really good exercise masks and the rest of your mask wardrobe is a motley bunch of cotton for everyday use. You can wash the mask in the sink with hand soap and hot water, then hang it to dry on a second shower curtain rod you should already have in your shower for rinsing your sportswear.