What should be included in a warm-up routine?

A warm-up routine is designed to prepare the body for physical activity by gradually increasing heart rate, enhancing muscle elasticity, and enhancing joint mobility. Including gentle cardiovascular activity in the warm-up serves as an effective way to elevate the body temperature and increase blood flow to the muscles. This process helps to reduce the risk of injury and improve performance during the main workout.

By starting with low-intensity movements, such as brisk walking, light jogging, or dynamic exercises, the body is gradually acclimatized to the demands of the more strenuous activity that will follow. This gentle approach allows for a smooth transition, both physically and mentally, into a more intense workout session.

In contrast to this, static stretching alone does not properly prepare the muscles for activity since it may not adequately increase heart rate or blood flow. High-intensity interval training is too demanding to be used in a warm-up, as it is designed to push the body to its limits and is not suitable for preparing the body. Additionally, while strength exercises targeting major muscles are important in a fitness regimen, they are more appropriate for the main workout rather than the warm-up phase, where the focus should be on increasing overall readiness for exercise.