Ok, how many times have we skipped the warmup and headed straight for the weights? I guess we all take for granted all the wonderful things that the body does on its own. It can heal, it can breathe, it can digest all by itself, but it could do even better with some help from us to ensure it keeps on working for the long run; and not to suffer damage from the wear and tear of vigorous exercise.
Exercising is important, but exercising safely is crucial when it comes to long term goals, and the main goal is to stay healthy and prevent injuries, so we are able to stay active in our later years. Warming up and stretching are some of the main ingredients for a safe and effective workout and just like in any recipe, you got to pre heat the oven before you can put your buns in to grow… then let it cool before you can eat it.
So, let’s start from the beginning and focus on the warmup, as it is the first step in order to raise the heart rate, so the body can get ready to operate at high energy levels. Not only does it elevate body temperature, but the cardiorespiratory system increases to provide more oxygen to the muscles and the brain, speeding up signal transmission through the nerves, fostering better motor control, balance, and coordination; you are basically letting your body know that it’s about to get serious, so it can gather all the energy it needs where it needs to go. It is like turning the keys in your car’s ignition, it gets the engine ready to hit the road.
It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to trigger these changes within the body, in turn your risks of incurring injuries, getting sore or feeling tired during your workout is greatly reduced. Beyond injury prevention, an effective warmup can enhance your performance, as your muscles become more supple and responsive you are able to lift heavier with more power and agility. In addition, it promotes the flow of synovial fluid around the joints, enhancing lubrication for mobility, improving the elasticity of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and aiding in a better range of motion.
It sounds complicated but all you got to do is start moving, and your body will automatically do the rest. From walking to jogging, any light physical activity, or aerobics will do to kickstart this process. Even if you choose to warmup on a cardio machine, you can adjust it to match how you are initially feeling, and then build up from there.
We all want to climax but it’s not as much fun without making out, right? So, try to enjoy this part of your workout and feel the body connecting with the brain, the adrenaline rise with each breath you take, the sweat dripping from your neck is the sign that you are ready for it. When you skip a warmup, you miss out on all that magic and end up risking strains, sprains, tears, joint injuries and even arrhythmia. But the risk can be easily reduced by simply making the warmup a vital part of your workout, the first step to your personal physical journey.
As you turn up the heat within, take the time to set your intentions for each workout, make it a ritual, and remember that the main goal is to remain strong and prevent injuries, so you can keep active for the long haul. The body is just like a machine, cannot run smoothly under exertion when the necessary parts are cold, so honor your body with the care it needs to keep taking good care of you for many years to come.
