We’ve all been guilty of skipping our warm up before a workout session, especially when we’re crunched for time. Well, according to ACSM’s James Peterson, Ph.D., there are some very important reasons why we need to slow it down and take the time to warm it up.1. Warming up helps break down the chemical complex of oxygen. So what? Well, this enables it to separate from the blood and increases oxygen delivery to the muscle, crucial during a workout.
2. Warming up reduces the potential for muscle and connective injuries and increases body temperature.
3. It increases blood flow to exercising muscles and guess what? The more blood that reaches the muscles, the easier the delivery of nutrients required for energy production.
4. It increases blood flow to the heart. This one is key since more blood to the heart means a reduced risk for exercise-induced cardiac problems.
5. It decreases muscle viscosity (aka resistance). Warming up makes muscles suppler.
6. It helps promote sweating and sweating is great! It reduces the amount of heat stored in the body, something your body spends a lot of energy doing.
7. It enhances the speed of transmission of nerve impulses. What? Makes your motor skills better! You know how your body feels really slow in the morning when you’ve just gotten out of bed? You’re not warmed up.
8. Helps more blood reach muscles and connective tissue. The more blood reaching the muscles, tendons and ligaments, the more elastic the tissues. This means better performance and a reduced chance of injuries.
9. Lets the cardiovascular system know what’s coming. When you work out, you demand more blood and oxygen. Warming up helps the heart and blood vessels adjust to this idea.
10. Lets muscles know what’s coming. Warming up may actually make you less sore the next day.
So don’t skip that warm up and jump right in – the warm up is important!!!!
Posted by Troy Weaver, Senior Vice President, Y Family Centers and Member Experience, Y of Central Maryland
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