Small Mistakes That May Be Sabotaging Your Workouts

Not Taking Time To Warm Up

A warm-up is critical for gradually getting the body up to a peak heart rate and performance level and for promoting regular blood circulation. Think of the body as a vehicle during winter; when cold, this vehicle is more prone to malfunction (injury). For this reason, a proper warm-up is vital for preventing malfunction and achieving the desired level of performance. Research shows that increasing the heart rate before lifting weights has produced positive results for individuals in comparison to lifting weights without a cardio-based warm-up. There are many ways to use a warm-up within a workout, and a warm-up does not have to be just a run on a treadmill. Try cycling, skipping, or body weight exercises, such as planking and squats, as a warm-up.