How to Warm Up Body

How to Warm Up:

A short warm-up stokes your blood flow and preps your body for exercise. Your muscles respond better to challenges if they're loose and warm. Warm-ups should take 5 to 10 minutes.

You'll know you're done when you feel ready for more of a challenge.

Warm up with a slow-paced aerobic activity. Go for a walk; use a treadmill or elliptical trainer on a low setting, or bike at an easy pace. Start slow and gradually ramp up your pace and intensity:

Why Warm Up Body?

You want the obvious? Yeah, I can do obvious. You see the obvious answer all the time:  Mostly people complaining about how agonizing this pain in his back is. 

Hurt it lifting a case of pop out of his wife's trunk after getting groceries. What? A case of pop! Injury prevention is the number one reason to warm up. How's that for obvious. 

But yet injury happens all the time; people hurting their backs via such evil means as boxes, groceries, and unfortunately, weights. The lower back is especially vulnerable due to its common use in extended and weak positions.

Sure, but why are there so many sad injuries that have occurred to most at some point or another?

Why Warm-Ups and Cool-Downs Are Key:

Warm-ups and cool-downs take just a few minutes, and they make all the difference for a great workout. Here's how to do both right.

Before Strength:

Choose an easy cardio activity that warms up multiple muscles at once, such as treadmill walking, slow jogging, or easy pedaling on a stationary bicycle.

Or home in on specific muscle groups, do 100 reps of the body part, if doing shoulders, do 25 punching bags in each direction with no weight, 25 shoulders presses to the side, and 25 to the front.

Don't come to an abrupt stop after vigorous exercise. That can make you feel light-headed and dizzy. Cooling down keeps your heart rate and blood pressure from dropping rapidly:

Cap off your workout with 5 to 10 minutes of easy cardio. Just dial down the intensity of what you're doing, whether it's running, indoor cycling.

Try ending every session with stretching, which boosts flexibility and may lower your risk of injury. Do it slowly and gently. Breathe into each stretch and don't bounce. Gentle stretches such as shoulder rolls and hip rolls are also perfect post-workout.

Try chinning drops, too: Lower your chin to your chest and hold for a count of five. Do take longer warming up if you plan a high-intensity workout. Extend it to 10 minutes instead of 5.

Don't go from zero to 60. Start at a slow pace, and give yourself enough time to gradually bump things up. Do stretch when your muscles are warm. Stretching cold muscles can cause injury.

Don't push a stretch too far. If it hurts, go into the stretch more easily, breathe deeply, and relax into it. Do hold each stretch from 15 to 30 seconds.