Do you know how when you just get up from bed, your limbs may feel a bit numb and non-responsive? What about trying to talk as you answer the phone (after spending most of the day alone)? A similar thing happens when you try to work out. Sure, the motion may not be something special or difficult but the extra weight or the extra intensity may put you in a bit of an awkward situation. This is a situation that is so sudden that your body may not have the time to prepare for it yet. To avoid a scenario where this becomes a serious problem, you need to properly warm-up.
Here are five key reasons why a proper warm-up is such an important task.
Delivering oxygen to the muscle group
The first thing you can achieve through a proper warm-up is better delivery of oxygen to the muscle groups that you’re going to use that day. This means better performance and enhanced growth. You see, oxygen breaks glucose, which means that it creates energy for your muscles.
With proper blood flow and oxygenation of your organism, you will be able to train harder and better than ever before. On the other hand, the lack of oxygen will increase the level of muscle fatigue. This means that you shouldn’t be surprised if you underperform once you skip the warm-up.
Increases body temperature
One of the reasons behind the etymology of the phrase warm-up is that it increases your body temperature. According to experts behind Revive Physiotherapy, a warm musculature has a much lower injury chance. This is not just true for muscles, seeing as how the chance of tendon injury is lower, as well.
The thing is that this is really common knowledge. After all, if you asked anyone why warm-up is important, their first answer would be: “To reduce the likelihood of injury”. Still, people constantly downplay the importance of warm-up or underestimate its role in keeping you safe.
It lubricates your joints
There are some people who experience constant pain while in motion. Fortunately, the majority of warm-up exercises will also lubricate your joints, which will minimize the risk of joint pain. Even if it doesn’t completely eliminate it, chances are that it will somewhat soothe it.
Keep in mind that the most common cause of joint pain is either a result of an injury or arthritis. The older you are, the more likely it is that you will suffer from either (or both) of these issues. This also means that the older you are, the more important it becomes for you to properly warm-up before your workout session.
Preparing cardiovascular system
Another thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that you’ll soon engage in far more difficult exercises. These exercises will put more strain on your cardiovascular system, which is why properly warming up allows you to take this as a gradual approach. By warming up first, you’re giving your heart and blood vessels a prelude to your training (you’re giving them a chance to adapt).
Keep in mind that one of the biggest benefits of training is the increase of your energy and stamina. By warming up and then proceeding with the training, you will maximize the effectiveness of this. Sure, extreme efforts can put an extra burden on your heart but if you take time to prepare yourself, this additional stress will not be such a huge issue.
Helping you prepare mentally
Remember that your body is not the only thing at a test and under stress. Lifting a certain weight may seem like a mission impossible unless you gradually work your way up to it. With each successful test (a set with lower weights, distance, or target time) you will grow more confident. Keep in mind that getting into this mindset will already help boost your performance.
The thing is that some exercises require you to get a bit pumped up. Now, the trick lies in doing this without exhausting yourself. One of the best ways to do so is with a warm-up exercise or two. warm-up exercises are invented to get the blood pumping but also not to tire you too much for your main exercises/athletic activity.
In conclusion
The warm-up is crucial for your athletic performance. It prevents injury, lowers the chance of you developing a long-term health issue, and it allows you to get in the mood for exercise. Combined with high alertness and adequate stretch, a proper warm-Up can allow you to work out to your full potential and minimize the risk of an unforeseen accident. It takes just a couple of minutes and just a bit of your energy. In return, it provides a huge quality of life improvement and keeps you safe. By following these pieces of information you will see the improvement with your eyes.