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Myth Buster: Is a warm up really necessary?

Yes!

If you are committed to a fitness regime but miss out the warmup, then you will be doing yourself a disservice as you are not going to get the results you deserve.

A good warm up will raise your heart rate, increase your core temperate, improve joint lubrication and warm up your muscles. This in turn will engage the nervous system and help you to have a range of movement and control that you would not have had without the warmup.

A warmup is not the same as the main event. It is not necessary to progress it as you would your workout.

So, what should a warm up include? The acronym RAMP is an easy way to remember;

Raise — Raise your heart rate and temperate

Activate — Switch on those muscles that you will be using

Mobilise — Loosen off joints

Potentiate — Increase gradually. For resistance training, start with sets with lighter weights and increase to heavier or if performing cardio — start slower and build up the speed

A warmup is beneficial for everyone but even more important if you spend the day sitting. The few minutes that it will take to complete will be worth it to maximise your results and avoid injury.