Are you always unable to perform at peak capacity during your workouts? Let’s fix that with a proper warm up routine!
Here are three tips to help you get started:
Tip #1: Save Stretching for After Your Workouts
Have you been stretching before working out? That’s probably one of the reasons you’re struggling in the gym. Studies show that static stretches make your muscles not only weaker, but slower as well.
But that’s a small price to pay for injury prevention, right? Well, research also shows that stretching before exercising does nothing to keep injuries at bay, so there’s really no reason to do it—unless the type of training you do requires increased flexibility.
The better time to do stretching is after your workouts as part of your cool down routine.
Looking for fun, supportive people to train with?
Book a drop-in at Canberra Martial Arts & Fitness and check the place out!
Tip #2: Recreate the Movements You’ll Be Doing
Instead of doing static stretches, do movements that mimic the exercises you’ll be performing. If you’re doing a full-body workout, for instance, then your warm up routine should consist of the seven fundamental movement patterns:
- Squat
- Lunge
- Pull
- Push
- Hinge
- Rotation
- Gait (i.e., walking)
In addition, if you’re working with heavy weights, you can also do a lighter warm-up set before each exercise to better prepare your muscles.
Tip #3: Don’t Do Too Much of It
Of course, the goal of warming up is only to prepare your body for intense physical activity, not tire it out before you even begin. So, make sure you do just enough to get your heart rate up and your muscles ready to go.
Say Goodbye to Crappy Workouts
Give these super easy warm up tips a shot on your next session and see for yourself just much more more you can actually do in the gym!
Looking for fun, supportive people to train with?
Book a drop-in at Canberra Martial Arts & Fitness and check the place out!