*Full disclosure, I am using the restrictions and safety procedures we have implemented in my gym (CrossFit Recursive in Madison, Wisconsin) which adhere to all COVID-19 Safety Guidelines mandated by our city, county, and state. Your experience might be different if your gym has other safety procedures.

This is the first in a series of articles on how just a slightly different perspective can change how we deal with the stress of COVID-19.

There has been quite a bit said of all of the negatives the current global pandemic is imposing on us. Job loss, remote work/school, missed social opportunities, etc. We are all familiar with these and most likely impacted by many of these issues (and probably more.) I want to take this in a different direction though…what if we took a step back and looked at this from a positive point of view?

The first positive is probably also the most noticeable: MASKS. We require masks to be worn by everyone while indoors – this means while working out as well. At first it seems like a big deal, maybe even a deal breaker. My observations and experiences the last couple of months have been vastly different than my initial predictions though.

Is it difficult to breathe through a high intensity workout with a mask on? Absolutely! Does that mean it isn’t a good idea, or even a positive? It sure doesn’t. We are all getting far more efficient at producing work with restricted oxygen. This artificially imposes oxygen deprivation on us, which makes it hard to breathe now, but is improving our ability to operate with less oxygen in the future. That should directly translate to an increased work capacity once that mask is removed. People train with masks on (or in high altitudes) for this very purpose. We just got a free boost to our training efficiency and results!

Say I showed you a new movement or exercise, something like a Clean & Jerk, a Burpee, or a Box Jump. After I taught how to safely complete the movement and explained how it would benefit you and help you reach your goals, would you tell me that it was too hard, or made it too difficult to breathe and refuse to do it? Probably not (except maybe for Burpees). Working out with a mask has the same potential benefit. Sure it is uncomfortable while you are doing it, just like Burpees, but it comes with built in benefits – just like Burpees!

Now, not only are we creating a safer environment for ourselves and our gym friends, we are also making additional gains in our fitness. It is the very definition of a win/win! Come to class, and wear your masks, you are just making yourself better!

Whenever we come across adversity, we have two options. We can say “Why me?” and lament our situation, or we can figure out how to get the most out of the struggle. Life will never stop putting us in difficult situations, but it will always be up to us to get the most out of it!

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