Maybe people go straight to the workout without any stretching or warm-ups. However, these people aren't aware of the injuries and damage you are doing to both your body and workout in the long run. Before you skip out again, here's how to properly warm up and avoid injuries BEFORE you start your exercise.
Importance Of Warming Up
The most important thing you can do when working out is warming up properly, so why aren't you doing it? You should be thinking of your muscles like rubber bands. Those that haven't been used yet are tight, constricted, and cold. If you immediately begin a tough job, these un-stretched rubber bands will get pulled apart very quickly and will snap. Do you want this happening to your muscles? No - didn't think so. That's why it's essential and necessary to not only stretch before a workout, but to complete actual warm up exercises.
Benefits Of Warming Up
Warming up before your workout has many benefits, and not just for your muscles. By jumping around and getting your muscles loose, active, and warm, you will keep yourself strong and injury free. Additionally, an effective warm up leads to a more effective workout by activating your central nervous system and getting your muscles ready to produce your best effort. This also leads to improved circulation, which will help you perform better in each exercise. When your body is properly warmed up, your muscles and joints are ready for maximum flexibility as well. So not only will you be able to perform each exercise with proper form, but you will maximize results and minimize the risk of injury.
Best Warm Up Exercises
In order to properly warm up and avoid injuries, you need to be doing the right warm up exercise - correctly of course. You want to do what you can, and complete a proper warm out without completely exhausting yourself. See some of the best warm up exercises below to get started!
- Jump rope (2-3 minutes)
- Jumping Jacks (around 50)
- Forward and side leg swings (10 each)
- High knees (30 seconds)
- Push ups (10-20)
- Lunges (5 for each leg)
- Arm swings (10 for each arm)
- Shoulder rotations (10 for each shoulder)
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-Gina