How should I warm up my muscles before stretching?

Before exercise, a thorough warm up should be performed to help ensure your muscles are working through their proper range of motion. If you have any tight or stiff muscles the first step will be to relax them through self myofascial release by foam rolling any tight or sore sports for 30 seconds. Follow this up with lengthening by stretching to get them back to their proper functioning length. Stretch any tight muscles for 30 seconds with static stretching to get them back to their proper functioning length. Follow this up finally with an active dynamic warm up by moving the joints and muscles through a full range of motion, by performing exercises like prisoner squats, lunges with rotation, and push-ups. Once all the major muscle groups and joints of your body are at their proper working length and moving through a full range of motion, you can start your workout.