4 Great Ways To Prepare For Your Workout

By All American Fitness

Before you start exercising, you will have to take the time to adequately prepare. What you do before your workout is just as important as the workout itself. There are several things that you can do to prepare for your exercise routine.

APPLY HEAT TO YOUR MUSCLES

Heat therapy can help you get more out of your workout. Heat can be used to loosen muscles and soothe soreness. It can also ease stress. Additionally, heat therapy can prepare your body for the workout by increasing blood flow to the muscles. Generally heat is administered in a couple different ways. The easiest for most people is using a heat wrap or heat pad since they can be quickly heated up and can be used on skin or through clothing. You can also take a quick shower or take a quick dip in a hot tub, this is usually pretty easy to do if you’re going to the gym and are already planning on changing clothes before you workout. There are also certain medical patches that can provide heat, and can even stay on through your workout if you feel it’s necessary!

DEVELOP A CONSISTENT WARM UP ROUTINE

A warm-up includes a set of light exercises that you do before you work out. This can include things such as light jogging, squats, jumping jacks and jumping rope. Your warm-up should last 5 to 10 minutes. A warm-up will prepare you mentally and physically for the workout. It will also loosen your muscles and decrease your chances of suffering an injury while you are working out.

STRETCH BEFORE YOU WORK OUT

Stretching helps loosen up tight muscles. It also increases blood flow and oxygen. Because stretching helps loosen up your muscles, it helps ease muscle fatigue. You will likely be able to work out for a longer period of time if you stretch beforehand. 

Additionally, stretching is another way that you can decrease your chance of suffering an injury. Many injuries occur because the muscles are not getting enough oxygen. If the muscles are oxygen-deprived, then they cannot elongate properly. 

FUEL YOUR BODY PROPERLY

Fueling your body properly is one of the best things that you can do to prepare it for physical activity. Make sure that you are hydrated before you work out. You may also want to have a light snack before you work out. Fruit smoothies, protein bars, apple wedges with peanut butter and oatmeal are examples of some of the things that you can eat before you work out.

Your body breaks down protein and carbohydrates during an intense workout. A healthy pre-workout snack will supply your body with the protein and carbohydrates it needs to sustain intense physical activity. 

Proper preparation is one of the keys to getting the most out of your exercise regimen. Heat can be used to loosen muscles and soothe soreness. Stretching and warming up will also help you prepare for your workout. Additionally, you will need to hydrate and fuel your body before you work out.