When you don’t have much time, you may feel tempted to skip a warm-up and jump right into your workout. However, ignoring pre-workout preparation can have unwanted consequences. 

Having a warm-up routine is crucial to the success of any workout. Doing a few stretches and completing a warm-up is beneficial before you even think about running, taking a fitness class, or using the machines at the gym.

Here are some critical reasons to stretch and warm up before any physical program.

BOOSTS BODY AND MUSCLE TEMPERATURE

A dynamic warm-up with active stretching can raise your body temperature, which research confirms is extremely helpful to your muscles, even your heart muscle. As your body temperature increases, oxygen then becomes more available to your muscles. This allows them to contract more efficiently. The result is that you are able to perform more strenuous tasks with less effort. 

INCREASES FLEXIBILITY

Since stretching increases blood flow to your muscles, it allows your body to increase its flexibility in both the long and short term. In addition, it allows for a greater range of motion and eases the stress on your joints and tendons. As an added benefit, stretching may also help delay the reduced mobility that can come with aging.

It’s best to add stretching after you’ve already completed your warm-up. That’s because stretching before your muscles are properly warm can lead to injury. 

LOWER YOUR RISK OF INJURY

The last thing you need when you’ve been so committed to attending boot camp sessions and working out at the gym is to become injured. Warming up and stretching can improve muscle elasticity, so you have less chance of hurting yourself or overheating during your workout.

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

Studies show that warmed-up muscles can support your work out more effectively. Science leaves no doubt that preparing your muscles for exercise boosts your performance across all routines.

SUPPORTS YOUR MINDSET

If you exercise regularly, take a boot camp class, or work with a trainer, you know that jumping straight into a workout without the right frame of mind makes it even more challenging. However, by stretching and warming up, you can better prepare for your activity and take time to get focused.