Do We Really Need to Warm Up Pre-Workout?

Warming Up is absolutely critical before starting any exercise, even walking, especially as you get a little older.

“Why?” I hear you ask.

Because….

It tells your body and your brain that they need to start working.

Gets your blood swishing around.

Oxygen pumping.

Joints lubricated and most important of all –

muscles and tendons warmed up for action.

Warming up also reduces the stress on your heart, gets your metabolism ready to burn your fuel more efficiently, and sets your nerves firing so they can respond when you need them.

The Perfect Warm-Up:

5 – 10 minutes of

• Slow walking
• Power walking
• Jogging on the spot
• Low step ups
• Slow rowing
• Slow cycling
• Skipping

is all you need to set yourself up.

Warming up decreases the incidence of muscle strain by increasing the efficiency of muscle contraction.

Not only will this help you physiologically, but it helps to set a process in place so that your body knows what to expect.

You may need to warm up for longer if:

• You are going to do something more strenuous or
• It is quite cold

Research evidence suggests stretching is of little benefit, and may be detrimental in the warm up stage.