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. |