Advertisement
question

What is the importance of a warm up?

Kristy Lee Wilson - Sharecare Fitness Expert
Kristy Lee Wilson - Sharecare Fitness Expert on behalf of Sharecare Fitness
Fitness
answer
The purpose of a warm-up is to prepare your body for physical activity. The warm-up is generally used to increase body temperature, increase heart rate and breathing rate, and also help you mentally prepare for exercise.

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) recommends that a complete warm-up include both a general and specific warm-up. A general warm-up includes activities and movements that are not necessarily going to be performed in your actual workout, and should last approximately 5-10 mins at a low-to-moderate intensity. Walking on a treadmill or using the elliptical machine before a resistance training workout is an example of a general warm-up. A specific warm-up involves movements that closely mimic those of the actual activity you will be performing. For example, performing push ups prior to an upper body resistance training session.


National Academy of Sports Medicine
National Academy of Sports Medicine
answer
The warm up is used to prepare the body for activity. The main objectives are to increase heart rate and breathing, increase body temperature, and also psychologically prepare the body for exercise.

The warm up should consist of 5-10 minutes of low-to-moderate activity, before moving into the main exercise intensity.

This should be used for cardiovascular exercise, resistance training, and even flexibility training.

Continue Learning about Stretching

How can I prevent my feet from feeling tight by mid-day?
Try doing some static stretches against a door or wall to help with tightness in the feet. Learn mor...
More Answers
Why is ballistic or excessive stretching bad?
Why is ballistic or excessive stretching bad? Ballistic stretching activates reflexes that signal th...
More Answers
How can I decrease the tension I feel in my outer thighs?
How can I decrease the tension I feel in my outer thighs? A great way to decrease tension and sorene...
More Answers
What are FITT guidelines for stretching?
What are FITT guidelines for stretching? Learn more from our experts about FITT guidelines for stret...
More Answers

Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.