By Dan Bockmann, D.C.
If asked, most of us would probably agree that we should "warm-up" before we exercise. But do we really need to? In a word, yes.
Whether you're Colt McCoy of the Longhorns or just a weekend jogger, warming up before you exercise is elementary. Think of your car. In cold weather, warming up your car before driving can keep you from doing serious damage to your engine.
Your body is much the same. A warm-up serves as a gradual introduction to exercise, preparing your body for the work you're about to do. Jumping straight into a workout "cold" can set you up for an injury, and keep you from performing at your best.
If asked, most of us would probably agree that we should "warm-up" before we exercise. But do we really need to? In a word, yes.
Whether you're Colt McCoy of the Longhorns or just a weekend jogger, warming up before you exercise is elementary. Think of your car. In cold weather, warming up your car before driving can keep you from doing serious damage to your engine.
Your body is much the same. A warm-up serves as a gradual introduction to exercise, preparing your body for the work you're about to do. Jumping straight into a workout "cold" can set you up for an injury, and keep you from performing at your best.
Here are some benefits of a proper warm-up:
- "Pre-heating" muscles. A warm muscle contracts more forcefully and relaxes more quickly, which increases both speed and strength. Also, you're much less likely to overstretch and injure a warm muscle.
- Dilating blood vessels. This reduces resistance to blood flow and lowers stress on your heart.
- Engaging your cooling system. Starting to sweat during a warm-up helps cool your body more efficiently, and prevents overheating during your workout.
- Increasing range of motion. Warm, flexible muscles give you the freedom of movement you need to exercise safely.
- Releasing hormones. Energy-boosting hormones are produced during a warm-up, which triggers the burning of carbohydrates and fatty acids as "fuel."
- Mental prep. Your mind clears, focuses, and relaxes as you warm up.
So, why don't most people warm up before exercise? The most common reason we hear is "time." Either they don't have enough of it, or they don't want to spend it warming up. This is unfortunate. A solid warm-up only takes 10-15 minutes, and can even be a part of the workout you already have planned
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- "Pre-heating" muscles. A warm muscle contracts more forcefully and relaxes more quickly, which increases both speed and strength. Also, you're much less likely to overstretch and injure a warm muscle.
- Dilating blood vessels. This reduces resistance to blood flow and lowers stress on your heart.
- Engaging your cooling system. Starting to sweat during a warm-up helps cool your body more efficiently, and prevents overheating during your workout.
- Increasing range of motion. Warm, flexible muscles give you the freedom of movement you need to exercise safely.
- Releasing hormones. Energy-boosting hormones are produced during a warm-up, which triggers the burning of carbohydrates and fatty acids as "fuel."
- Mental prep. Your mind clears, focuses, and relaxes as you warm up.
So, why don't most people warm up before exercise? The most common reason we hear is "time." Either they don't have enough of it, or they don't want to spend it warming up. This is unfortunate. A solid warm-up only takes 10-15 minutes, and can even be a part of the workout you already have planned
CLICK HERE to read the rest of the article
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