Exercising your body has several essential benefits for your physical and mental state of being. However, it is vital that our bodies also stay prepared for the exertion of energy and body-building process from the exercises. That is why warming up before exercise is essential.
Making a few minutes available to warm up increases blood flow and heart rate and loosens up tight muscles. Consequently, your workout experience features you at peak performance, while the chances of muscle injuries or rapid fatigue are significantly reduced. Here are some of the reasons why you should not skip your pre-workout warm-up routine.
1. Reduce Your Chance of Injury
Skipping your warm-up routine is synonymous with muscle strains and other injuries. According to Mayo Clinic, improper preparation of your joints and muscles are among the leading causes of acute muscle strains. One way to counter such muscle strains is by conditioning your body through warm-up exercises before the prime workout. Speak with your trainer or health professional to learn what warm-up exercises will condition your muscles for specific workout regimes and help you avoid muscle injuries.
2. Increase Workout Performance
For optimal performance while you work out, always incorporate a few minutes into a warm-up. While in relaxation, our blood flow is often low and minimal through the muscles, making them tight.
A light warm-up increases blood flow, which in turn supplies oxygen to your muscles. That will prime and ready your muscles for the workout activities that require and build your muscles. As such, your workout will be more efficient for your body’s wellness.
3. Activate Chemicals for Your Muscle Cells
Movement and flexibility during workouts often depend on your body’s calcium ions. During a workout, those ions are transferred to your muscle cells. The less the calcium ions, the more strenuous the movements will prove to be. A hack that arms your body with calcium ions before a full workout is a warm-up exercise.
According to research, low warm-up routines can pre-load and activate up to 8.5% more of your quads’ muscle fibers. In turn, this will also increase your performance and equip you to perform the exercises less tediously.
4. Prepare Yourself Mentally
Workouts can be a tough habit to keep up consistently. Preparing mentally is key to how you handle the different effects of your workout regime. As such, warming up doesn’t always have to be only physically demanding.
When you warm up, prepare for the day’s workout routine, visualize the benefits you will gain from working out, and plan on refreshing after the workout. Once you make it a habit, light warm-ups also signal your brain that training is what follows, helping you stay ready.
5. Increase Your Heat and Body Temperature
How well your muscles perform will vary with the body temperature. Muscles tend to function with greater power and energy when your body heat is high. Working out right after you wake up won’t be as fruitful and engaging as your body heat usually is lower.
However, warming up through jogging or light squats will raise your body temperature, in turn heating your muscles. Higher body temperatures also mean your body sufficiently uses nutrients required to contact your muscles and boost exercise performance.
The best warm-ups are in line with your current workout regimes and exercises. It is vital for your performance and safety to always start your workout sessions with a low-intensity warm-up.
