Body · Training
Why warm up?
The short version
A warm-up should prepare you for what you're about to do.
It doesn't need to be 30 minutes, complicated or the same every time.
The full version
What it's for
Warming up raises body temperature, gets the joints and muscles you're about to use moving, and gets your head into the session. Warm-ups generally help performance in the session that follows. Their effect on injury risk is less clear.
What a useful warm-up looks like
A few minutes of general movement to get warm. Some movement-specific preparation for what's coming. Then lighter practice sets of your first exercise, gradually increasing the intensity until you reach your working weight.
Make it relevant
If you're bench pressing, several lighter bench sets are probably more useful than 20 minutes of unrelated movements. Heavier or more explosive sessions — sprints, jumps, heavy squats — usually deserve a bit more build-up.
What actually matters
Five to ten minutes, specific to the session, building up gradually. Use the warm-up in your workout and ramp into your first lift.
Key takeaways
- 01Prepare for what you're about to do
- 02Lighter sets of your first lift work well
- 03More build-up for heavy or explosive work
- 04Short is fine
Related
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