Key facts
- Raises body and muscle temperature.
- Combines general cardio with movement-specific prep.
- Improves performance and may reduce injury risk.
- Ramp-up sets prepare you for heavy lifts.
A good warm-up gradually readies your body for hard work. It usually starts with a few minutes of light cardio to raise your heart rate and temperature, followed by dynamic movements and lighter 'ramp-up' sets of the exercise you're about to perform.
Warming up improves performance — muscles contract more efficiently when warm — and lets you rehearse technique before the load gets heavy. Static stretching is better saved for after training; before lifting, dynamic mobility and progressively heavier sets prepare you best.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best way to warm up before lifting?
A few minutes of light cardio, some dynamic mobility, then progressively heavier ramp-up sets of your first exercise prepares both your body and your technique.
Should I stretch before working out?
Dynamic movement is better than long static stretches before training. Static stretching can briefly reduce strength, so it's usually best saved for after your session.
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