Phase 4 Group Fitness: What to Expect

Is it safe to exercise with a mask? In short, yes. The New York Times reported that the response to exercising with a mask varies from person to person and also from mask to mask.  In short, for the general population, exercising with a mask is a-okay. It is recommended to avoid paper, surgical masks and opt for a cloth mask made from breathable, synthetic materials and have two layers of fabric or less.

I attended a group indoor cycling class at Studio three on its re-opening day, and after receiving a lot of questions about my experience, I wanted to outline things to consider before returning to your favorite group exercise studio. 

Studios have your best interest in mind, so please be kind 

When I arrived at Studio Three, I noted that the usual entrance is now a designated exit, and the new entrance on the other corner of the building made it so people coming for class and people leaving a class don’t cross paths. Everything was clearly marked with signs and arrows to follow, and hand sanitizer was readily available in multiple places. Before approaching the front desk, I needed to stop and get my temperature checked through a contactless app that would ONLY take my temperature if I was wearing a mask. I then checked in, got my cycling shoes, and headed into the cycling studio. The number of bikes in the room was dramatically decreased as all of the bikes were at least six feet apart and surrounded by plexiglass. 

All of these precautions made me feel very safe and assured me that the studio was doing all it could to prevent the spread of infection. However, I can’t speak for all studios. If there is something at your studio that makes you feel unsafe or you think could be improved, I recommend advocating for yourself and kindly giving feedback to the employees. 

There are many reasons your heart rate and breathing may feel different

The number one question I received is, “What was it like to ride with a mask on?” And it was hard. But it was hard for a number of reasons. First off, it has been over three months since my last indoor cycling class. I have done no other sort of extended, endurance-based cardio during quarantine. My workouts have been primarily circuit style, consisting of strength training movements with kettlebells or just bodyweight intermixed with plyometric movements. And FULL transparency, I didn’t always give every workout my 100% effort from start to finish. It’s pretty easy to throw in the towel and sell yourself short when you’re alone in the comfort of your own living room… ya feel me? Cycling for forty-five minutes would have made my heart rate elevate and my lungs burn more than usual, anyway. The addition of the mask did make it slightly more challenging, but it didn’t inhibit my ability to complete the class. 

Knowing that your first group exercise class in over three months will be challenging as it is, plan accordingly. Get at least 7 hours of sleep, stay hydrated, and nourish yourself well. Your body will really appreciate it. 

Take it slow 

Although I said that I was able to finish the class and that the mask didn’t inhibit my ability… I never said that it wasn’t very hard and very humbling. The resistance level and RPM ranges that the instructor called out often put me at my max, and I had to scale back. I spent a few minutes letting this make me mad, but then I decided to give myself grace. It’s very unreasonable to give up endurance training for months and then expect myself to walk in and crush a forty-five minute ride. 

So, I changed my mindset and promised myself that I would still give 100%, even if my current 100% looked more like my previous 70%. I set goals for myself that were challenging, but reasonable. And I left feeling both accomplished and motivated to improve. 

Overall, if you are comfortable with attending a group fitness class and you’re comfortable with your studio’s new practices, I say go for it! Find a mask that works for you, create the right mindset, and enjoy. 

If there are any additional questions you have that I can help you with, please don’t hesitate to email me or send me a DM on Instagram!

In Grind and Wine,

Ashley