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HEALTH & WELLNESS DIRECTORY / FALL 2020 5 By Eileen Mozinski Schmidt Special to The Freeman With masks more a part of day-to-day life, fitness-minded persons may be considering how to best incorporate face coverings into their workout routines. There are several things to consider when working out while wearing a mask, said Ryan Bloor, owner and person- al trainer at Right Body Fitness LLC in Waukesha. He said to start with a focus on strength training. "Strength training won't require quite as much breath- ing effort as cardio. We all need more strength for quality of life purposes anyway, so this is a good time to prioritize time with weights," he said. In addition, he said a per- son can lower the intensity of a cardio routine if needed. He said a "conversational" type cardio may be better than high intensity interval work when wearing a mask. "This lower intensity car- dio is actually better for stress relief as well, which many of us could use nowadays," he said. Managing one's expecta- tions is also helpful, Bloor said. "You aren't in worse shape because you are breathing heavier with a mask, you simply have a restriction that needs to be managed," he said. "Lower intensity and shorter duration for now isn't a bad thing. Keeping exercise a normal part of your routine is what matters most." Jenna Derby, a personal trainer who works in the Waukesha area, agreed. "Don't go in thinking you're going to do the exact same things. Just tone it down a little bit," she said, noting that masks can limit air flow. "Start at a lower level and build up from there. Your body will get used to that." Derby recommended opting for cloth masks, as surgical masks can become damp. Or, bring a second mask as a backup. She added that masks can cause wearers to sweat more, making it especially important to stay hydrated when exercis- ing. For those who cannot wear a mask, Derby noted that Zoom workout sessions are offered by a variety of places and can provide a "really effective workout." One aspect of exercise remains constant, whether one dons a mask or not, Bloor said. "In the end, exercise needs to get you out of your comfort zone, but not so uncomfort- able that you hate it. When you hate it, you won't do it," he said. "Being realistic and not feeling guilty for doing 'less' work is important for all of us right now." Masked up and working out A look at ways to exercise while wearing face coverings