Has anyone told you to “warm up” before you exercise or play sports? It seems simple enough, doesn’t it? What’s easy to do is also easy not to do, and the biggest mistake people make is skipping this important component of exercise. Learn how to warm up properly (and why it’s so important) so you can be more effective with your physical activities.

Source: ACE Fit | Fit Life | The Common Mistakes People Make When Warming Up

WHY

Most people sit for long periods of time or lie in bed before they exercise. Warming up helps you shift gears both mentally and physically. It’s preparation—kind of like chopping vegetables before cooking. The way you prepare your veggies changes the meal. And cooking them can be more challenging if you skip chopping or do it poorly. The same is true of your body when you warm up incorrectly or skip it all together.

When You Warm Up…

• The brain shifts its attention to physical activity mode.
• Joints move through their full ranges of motion.
• Your heart rate increases gradually instead of abruptly.
• Blood circulates through your system.
• The muscles practice movements to come.
• The likelihood of injury decreases.