If you are trying to squeeze in a little time for a workout, you might be tempted to skip warm-ups. However, they can reduce injury and prevent muscle strain. Whether you are training for a sports event or doing cardio exercises, taking a few minutes to stretch is essential. This is because it prepares your body for the activity you are about to engage in. Here are five reasons why you need to warm-up before a workout.
- Increases your endurance
A great session can prime up certain organs like your lungs and heart to endure strenuous phases. It also improves muscle elasticity and enables oxygen and nutrients to be delivered to the muscles through the bloodstream. Also, your mind gets prepared for what is ahead when you experience increased alertness and focus as your temperature rises. Your energy also increases as you engage in metabolic activities that occur during the rise.
- Prevents injury
Warm-ups can be an effective tool against injury. This is because they make the muscles more flexible and warm. This makes your muscles less likely to sustain injuries from sudden movements or rigorous training. Also, by engaging in pre-workout exercises, you can lubricate your joints and comfortably engage in high impact activities without causing friction or dislocating your joints. It would also be advisable to consult your doctor if you have already sustained injuries from a previous training session, as they may encourage you to engage in sports injury physio for recovery.
- Prepares your cardiovascular system
It is not uncommon to experience a heart attack when exercising. While this may affect people who have a history of cardiovascular issues, studies have shown that a few minutes of warm-up can increase blood flow to the heart gradually and limit the strenuous demands of exercise. With these warm up exercises, you also help your arteries widen and raise your blood pressure, which decreases the workload on your heart.
- Improves performance
If you are a sportsman, then you probably know the impact of warm-up on your physical performance. With most sport activities, there is a need to train a group of muscles to enhance your game. Warm-ups make you agile and fast when employing these muscles. Also, engaging in different activities can enhance your reaction time and help you respond quickly to any issues that may arise during a game. More importantly, these warm-ups keep you in shape and prevent a decline in performance. You can maintain mental focus and prevent stiffness, so feel free to consider this.
- Boosts hormone production
A few minutes of stretching can release endorphins in your body which can improve your mood. It also produces cortisol, making fatty acids and carbohydrates available to serve as an energy reserve. Psychologically, it also keeps you in a positive mindset and provides mental clarity, so feel free to consider this.
Next time you are tempted to dive right into your exercise routine, take a moment to warm up to get the best results.
