"The idea behind warming up is to prepare the muscles for physical activity, You want to improve flexibility, strength, extensibility of the tendons and blood flow to the muscles. It should definitely be part of the preparation to any sport." Bodybuilders are at higher risk for soft-tissue injuries/traumas than most other athletes because of the heavy loads they place on their muscles. Kibbler says bodybuilders should warm up the entire body, not just the muscle to be worked, to maximize the benefits of weight training and minimize the risk of injury. When weight training, your warm-up should include: Light, aerobic activity -- jog in place, ride a stationary bike, use a stair climber or treadmill -- for 4-7 minutes. Static stretches -- for each of the muscle groups, especially those about to be worked.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, equipment manufacturers typically take an existing technology and make it more interactive through various computer, video and ergonomic enhancements. The standard workout article typically presents a muscle-building routine and an aerobic workout, workoutlowimpactaerobic then explains how to combine both into a complete training regimen. Equal but separate, to turn an ignominious phrase on its head. But what if muscle building and aerobics could be pursued simultaneously in one session? Competitive bodybuilders could use it precontest to get cut without losing muscle mass, or cycle it into their off-season training to increase their strength. Hardcore ironheads who train till they drop could workoutlowimpactaerobic get there fast following such a double-barreled approach, while fitness competitors could get a full-body workout and burn a ton of calories at the same time.

For all types of exercise, your warm-up activities should: Take each of the joints through full range of motion. Increase body temperature. Get you psychologically tuned to what your body will be doing. Physiological reasons for warming up. Warm-ups help the body and its muscles to perform more effectively by: Slowly increasing muscle temperature. Serving as a dry run, which alerts the individual to potential workoutlowimpactaerobic musculoskeletal and other problems that may occur at higher intensity. Reducing the risk of exercise-related heart problems by increasing coronary blood flow. Improving the elasticity of soft tissues. Preventing early lactic-acid buildup and fatigue. Stimulating motor units of the muscles in preparation for a heavier workload.

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