What’s The Science Behind Winter Warm-Ups?

Hello Ziddis! It is the season of finding a sweet spot between the sheets and wanting to exist there forever as we fight tooth and nail with our New Year’s resolutions! Whoever thought starting the new year was winter was clearly not thinking straight! Winter mornings can feel like a challenge to your routine, but that is exactly why “warm up” (literally) is important. Let us understand the science behind winter warm-ups and why they should not be skipped.

Importance of warm ups

During cold months, our body tends to take longer to warm up. Think of it as a car parked in the snow. This makes the muscles and joints feel stiffer. When our muscles are cold they are less elastic and more prone to getting injured. This is the science behind the importance of warm ups. Here is how warm up helps us:

• Improves blood flow to our muscles
• Reduces muscle stiffness
• The rush of blood through our veins makes our bodies feel warmer
• Increases oxygen delivery to the tissues
• Improves your range of motion
• Reduces the risk of strains and sprains.

Morning warm up activities

Waking up morning could feel tough and pulling yourself to work out even tougher during the winter. But, having a morning workout routine can help. Here are a few morning warm up activities you can add to your workout:

• Dynamic Stretches: Arm circles, leg swings, twists, bends and shoulder rolls can improve your range of motion and ease up the joints
• Light Cardio: Jumping jacks, on-the-spot jogs and brisk walking can help get your heart rate to warm your core.
• Functional Exercises: Lunges and squats just to stretch your lower body could be helpful.
• Breathing Exercises: Some yoga and deep breathing are good to relax your muscles and mind.

Gym Warm Up Activities

Kudos to you if you pull yourself to show up at the gym. To make the next part of your journey simple, try out these warm up activities:

• Foam rolling for 5 minutes to roll out tight muscles, release tension and improve blood flow.
• Brisk walking on the treadmill for a short time
• Leg kicks, downward dog, arm swings and body twists
• Train with a resistance band for your warm ups at the gym for some low-impact stretching.

Takeaway

Warm up is not just a choice it is a ritual and a holy grail to keep yourself safe and away from injuries. Especially in winter, you would want to make it a rule that you warm up. While you are at it make sure that you are giving your body what it truly deserves like the best supplements to equip it. Invest in good quality creatine from MuscleBlaze to optimise your performance and reach your goals faster! So this winter, don’t skip the warm ups and your body will thank you.

Sources:

https://www.verywellfit.com/try-these-warm-up-exercises-before-your-next-workout-5179930

https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/warm-up-exercises

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zs2jxsg/revision/2