The Importance of Workout Warmups

Finding time to work out can be difficult. So for many, this may result in skipping out on their pre-workout warmup.

However, doing this can be very dangerous and is not advised. In fact, the warmup should be viewed as the most important part of your routine.

In this article we’ll tell you exactly why this is and give you some warmup routines you can do with your Echelon equipment.

Reasons why it’s crucial to perform a pre-workout warmup:

Prevents injury 

The greatest benefit to warmups is that they can significantly reduce your chances of injury.

A proper warmup increases blood flow to your muscles, making them more pliable and reducing the risk of injury during exercise.

This increased blood flow, combined with the heat your muscles create when they contract makes your tendons and connective tissues more resilient to the pace your body will endure throughout the most severe parts of your workout.

Improves performance

Warming up gradually increases your heart rate and loosens your muscles, enhancing overall performance, and allowing your body to work more efficiently. 

Naturally, if you have stiff muscles, you’ll find it a lot harder to work at full capacity than if you are at your optimum performance level. So, making sure your muscles are prepped beforehand is the best way to get the most out of your workouts.

Enhances flexibility 

Warmups help to improve flexibility by increasing the range of motion in your joints and muscles, making movements smoother and more effective.

Improving your flexibility can help you beyond workouts and in your everyday life. For example, enhanced flexibility can improve posture, reduce aches and pains and slow down the rate of bone and muscle loss.

Prepares you mentally

Pre-workout warmups aren’t just about preparing physically.

A warm-up period helps mentally prepare you for the workout, allowing you to focus and get into the right mindset for the physical activity ahead.

Being in the right mindset can help you commit to your workout more, which also makes it easier to enjoy.

Ensures cardiovascular systems can cope

Going from a steady to a fast heart rate suddenly can be a lot for the cardiovascular system to endure, and can lead to much more severe consequences.

Therefore, warmups are crucial as they prepare your cardiovascular system for the upcoming demands of exercise, gradually increasing your heart rate, and getting your body ready for more intense physical activity. 

Warm-up routines you can do at home

You can find well-designed warmups, cooldowns and exercise classes for all equipment with an Echelon Premier membership. However, here’s a quick running warmup you can do before most forms of exercise.  

Running warmup:

Heel digs: 1 minute: Alternate feet, placing each heel in front of you while making sure the extended foot is pointing up.

Knee bends: 10 repetitions: stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hands stretched out. Bend knees slightly (no more than 10cm) and return.

Shoulder rolls: 2 sets of 10: Let your arms hang loose and roll shoulders forward 10 times, then backwards 10 times.

Marches: 1 minute: slowly march on the spot for one minute, while bringing your knees up as high as possible.

Gentle jogging: 30 seconds: jog on the spot for 30 seconds, without over-exerting.

You can also utilise your workout equipment for warmups. Here’s an example of a warmup routine you can do on your Echelon Connect Smart Bike.

Smart bike warmup:

Leg swings: 2 sets of 10: Stand by your bike, holding the handle for stability. Swing your leg out then in, laterally across your body. Repeat 10 times for each leg, making sure to stand on the right side of your bike.

Ankle circles: 1 minute: Again, using your bike for stability, lift one foot off the floor at a time and rotate each ankle for 30 seconds each.

Gentle cycle: 2 minutes: Get on the bike and start pedalling at a moderate speed with no resistance.

If you’re looking for a more guided experience, we have in-depth 5-10 minute guided warmup and cooldown classes available on the Echelon Fit App for you to utilise with your main classes.

Ready to find the best fitness routines for you?