Singapore Personal Trainer|The Fitness Truth

Conjuring up the motivation to exercise can sometimes prove to be difficult.  Because of this, we are tempted to skip the most essential part of a workout, the warmup.  Warmup exercises may seem time consuming when you are trying to fit it into your routine, however, to omit this crucial part of your workout will only hurt you and your body in the long run. 

Thankfully, warmup exercises do not necessarily have to a long drawn out process.  An effective warmup can be completed in as little as five minutes.  A properly performed warmup will accelerate your heartbeat which, in turn, will increase blood flow to your muscles as well as stretch out the muscles you will be targeting during your exercise. 

The purpose of warming up is to allow your body to build-up the intensity it will need to benefit from your workout.  Preparing your heart, with a gradual build-up of movements is the safest way to increase your heartbeat.  When your blood begins to pump faster it provides oxygen to the muscles used during your workout.  The warming up will “wake up” muscles that haven’t been used all day as well as prevent any injuries that can be sustained during a workout. 

These mini-exercises can improve your form and flexibility.  For example, lunges are a great way to prep the body for exercises targeting your ability to remain balanced, such as yoga or pilates.  Alternatively, stretching your calves and taking a brisk walk will properly prepare your body for cardiovascular activities such as running and aerobics. 

A properly executed warmup can only benefit you and your body when exercising.  Keep in mind these mini-exercises prepare your body for more strenuous activities and help build up the intensity, which will make shedding those extra pounds an attainable feat. Take the stairs instead of the elevator or jog instead of walking on your way into the gym.  These are simple ways to get your blood pumping and your muscles ready to go.