The Importance Of Warming Up Before A Workout
Contributing post
When you are working out at home or at the gym, you need to be warmed up before you start. The warm-up is the first part of any workout and it should be the very first thing that you do before you step into a gym environment. It doesn't need longer than ten to fifteen minutes of your time, but you need to get your muscles warmed and ready to go.
Many people skip the stretching before their workout, but there is a reason that you need to get it done. You want to make sure that you don’t injure yourself in the course of your workout. Of course, if you are the one who hasn't worked out, you can hardly find lawyers who are passionate about pursuing justice if you didn't injure yourself because of negligence on the part of the gym! You need to make sure that you are not going to give yourself an injury in a gym, and if you do you need to know that it’s because you didn't warm your muscles properly and they then seized upon the stairs towards the exit! With the right workout, you’ll perform better and feel great when you work out. Below, we’ve put together a few strategies to make sure you can get your sweat on properly!
Photo by andrew dinh on Unsplash
Do more than just stand and stretch. Static stretching looks good on TV but when you were a kid, your coach would get you to move around and warm up. You need to get your blood pumping around your body to get ready for your workout. In doing so, you’ll slow down your chance of an injury.
Start slowly with your workout. You want to do some dynamic stretches and keep moving with them. High knees, for example, are a great example of a good warm-up movement.
You want to elevate your heart rate over a fifteen-minute time period. This will ensure that you are suitably ready for the extra workout to the body afterward. You also want to increase your blood flow. This carries oxygen to your muscles during the workout and it’s important to do this early so that you can move the byproducts away from your muscles.
Keep your movements repetitive for your workout. You want to prepare your body so if your workout is going to be a sprint, then jogging lightly on the spot is a smart place to start. Knee hugs and leg kicks are also a great workout option if you are planning to run!
Keep stretching in between dynamic movements. You want to ensure that your body is warm and able to take the brunt of the workout that you’re about to embark upon.
Not being ready for your workout is going to lead to torn and sore muscles, the potential for cramping (ouch!) and it’s going to prevent you from being able to complete your workout properly. Don’t increase your chance of injury; warm-up right the first time!
For more fitness inspiration and barre workouts visit Nadia Murdock Fit on Instagram @NadiaMurdock and the NMFIT Blog!