10 Reasons To Warm Up

Warming up is the process of preparing your muscles and joints for exercise. Here are 10 reasons to give your body a gradual start before a workout or strenuous activity.

A warm up … 

1. Reduces post-workout soreness.
2. Lubricates joints and connective tissues, reducing wear. 
3. Increases blood flow to working muscles, delivering vital oxygen and nutrients essential for producing energy.
4. Warms and loosens stiff muscles, creating a more productive workout and reducing the potential for injury. 
5. Improves muscle control by speeding up neural messaging to the muscles.
6. Provides greater range of motion in your joints.
7. Allows you to workout longer or harder because your energy systems are able to adjust and prevent excessive build-up of lactic acid in the blood. The more strenuous the workout, the more calories burned.
8. Psychologically increases your ability to focus on the task at hand.
9. Prepares the heart and blood vessels for increased demands, reducing the chance of cardiac problems.
10. Warns your body that strenuous activity is ahead. Without advance notice, your body will release a surge of damaging stress hormones in response to immediate, high intensity activity.

All in all, a gradual warm up keeps your body in good working order and makes your workout more productive and—best of all—more enjoyable!

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Sample Warm-Up Routine