Preparation is the key to success!

Whether you decide to workout intensely, take a demanding bike ride or an easy walk, it’s important to prepare your body to move.

When you’re pressed for time, or just eager to start your workout, it can be tempting to skip a warm-up. But warming up before you exercise, especially before engaging in strenuous activity has many benefits.

Growing up as a dancer I didn’t realize how important warming up was because I was young, flexible and eager to get to the part of class when we would rehearse the dance. To me that was the best part. My teachers would always stress the importance of warming up the body before dancing. Turns out, they were right!

My life now is quite different from the time I was a young girl eager to rehearse my dances. Now, I’m a Pilates Instructor, ELDOA Trainer and a mom of two children with a busy life. It’s important that I warm-up prior to any activity so that I can accomplish whatever it is I’m doing that day.

Whether it’s an ELDOA class, a fun Zumba class or a long walk in the park, it’s critical for me to prepare my body properly.

Some of the most important benefits of a warm-up include:

• Increased blood flow and oxygen to the body.
• Better range of motion.
• Reduced risk of injury.
• Less tension and discomfort in the body.
• Raising body temperature so that the body is ready for activity/work-out.
• Mental & physical preparation so the body performs efficiently.

You’re probably thinking, “ok, I get that it’s important to prepare my body, but what kind of warm-up should I be doing?”

Good question! There are different schools of thought regarding how to properly warm-up – do I stretch as part of the warm-up or do I wait until after I workout?

>> Stay tuned for Part 2 of this series where I talk about simple, yet specific, warm-up exercises for all types of activities and workouts.

Meanwhile, try my LIVE virtual Pilates & ELDOA class that will leave you feeling taller and prepared for your week ahead! Click here to learn more about it.