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Fitness and wellbeing expert Nicola Addison says, "The warm up prepares the brain and body for what is to come during the workout. Slowly increasing the heart rate and in turn blood flow with help mobilise the joints and lengthen the muscles.
"A good warm up also reduces the chance of injury. We cannot expect the body to go from zero to hero instantly - think of it as a car that needs warming up on an icy day!"
When you start your gym warm up you should notice an increase the heart rate. Your joints will become looser, which is beneficial because it increases blood flow to the muscles. Also, your circulation should start to improve. All these elements combined should ready your body for any activity to come. Also, stretches before exercise can be great for improving flexibility and for improving general joint movement. According to the NHS feeling stretched before an exercise such as running can really help the joints move through their full range of movement more easily.1
Once you reach the end of your workout you're probably tempted to have a much-deserved rest. But before you do it's important to cool down. After each workout you complete, it's essential to gradually decrease intensity levels to help lower your heart rate and send your body back to a restful state. It will also help to prepare your muscles for your next your workout.
Nicola says, "Cooling down and completing some dynamic stretches will aid recovery by returning the muscles to their normal length, will help any muscles soreness, will help reduce levels of lactic acid in the blood and will generally help your body along with its repairing and recovery process."
These six warm up tips are suitable for any age or fitness ability, says Nicola. You don't need any equipment, simply complete each set of reps in order, twice. Don't forget; the warm up is about increasing range of movement rather than repetitions or pace, so take your time and focus on exaggerating each move
As a Register of Exercise Professionals-accredited training provider, Nicola consults for leading health and fitness brands and regularly contributes to press publications.
Find out more about Nicola Addison, or read more about Healthspan's health experts.
Nothing beats a healthy, balanced diet to provide all the nutrients we need. But when this isn't possible, supplements can help. This article isn't intended to replace medical advice. Please consult your healthcare professional before trying supplements or herbal medicines.