Why warm up?

Before any exercise session it is to warm up. A warm-up prepares us mentally as well as physically for the work we will be doing, and becomes particularly important when we perform more intense exercise sessions.

A proper warm-up should involve light aerobic work which puts your major joints such as your shoulders, hips, knees and spine through their range of motion. If you are tempted to skip your warm-up and delve straight into the real workout - think twice! A warm-up is important because it:

1. Increase body temperature. Increasing your body temperature will reduce potential muscle injuries, as the muscle tendons and ligaments will be warmer and more pliable when contracting.

2. Increases blood flow to the muscles. The more blood reaching the muscles, the greater the supply of oxygen and glucose required for energy production.

3. Increases blood flow to the heart. The greater the supply of blood to the heart, the less potential difficulty there is for exercise-induced cardiac problems.

4. Improves contractibility of muscles. A warm muscle will be more elastic and supple, which helps it to be more efficient.

5. Boosts nerve transmission. Your nerve-muscle co-ordination will improve, which will mean better performance of certain motor movements.

6. Prepares the cardiovascular system for the work to be done. A steady warm-up will give your heart, lungs and blood vessels time to meet the demands of your workout. Without it you can quickly experience shortness of breath, discomfort and fatigue, as your body struggles to meet the physiological demands placed upon it.

7. Encourages effective oxygen uptake. Warmer temperatures in the muscle encourage the chemical combination of oxygen and blood (oxy-haemoglobin) to break down, freeing the oxygen for use by the muscle to produce vital energy.

So the next time before you exercise, warm up first and you’ll save yourself from a lot of unnecessary injuries and enjoy a more effective workout session.