Warming Up

Consider your warm up as the very first and essential part of your exercise routine.

By warming up we are safely taking our bodies from a state of rest to a state of exercise.

Reasons Why We Warm Up

  • increases the body and muscle temperature and makes the blood supply and energy to the muscles, ligaments and tendons more efficient.
  • lessens the risks of injury because the muscles and joints become more supple and flexible.
  • heart rate and respiratory rate is increased so the body and muscles receive a greater quantity of oxygen and energy to the muscles, enabling you to train more efficiently.
  • stimulates and prepares the mind (ie. co-ordination) for the exercise ahead.
  • introduces the class to each other.

Ways To Warm Up
In the gym we could spend 5 minutes on a stationery cycle, rowing machine or practise some low impact and low intensity aerobic moves. Outside we could go for a fast and dynamic power walk, or practise some gentle skipping.

Cooling Down
Cool down is the opposite to warm up. When we cool down we take our bodies from a state of exercise almost back down to a resting state meaning that we gradually lower the intensity of our training and our heart rates. This can be done over a period of approximately 5-10 minutes depending on the individual fitness level.