How do you warm up/stretch before working out

lokin4deer

I am curious how everyone gets loose before working out. In the past I have just hit the treadmill or ellipitical for 5 minutes but after a couple nagging pains I feel like I may need to do more stretching before hand. So let me hear how you do it! Thanks!!

lokin4deer

Anyone??

SeaChele77

It depends on if I'm working out at night or in the morning. You don't want to do static stretches on a cold body.
I will do arm circles, knee bends, leg lifts, jumping jacks, etc to get my heart rate up and body warm before I do any static stretches in the AM. If I am working out in the afternoon/evening I will do static stretches, a few more minuntes on the body parts I plan to work (legs or arms). Then do a harder warm up to get my heart rate up a bit before actually starting my exercise; run, lift, aerobics, etc.

Picola1984

Nope, I go straight into cardio. I always stretch after though

chelelynn1972

I do a 2 minute, 3.6 mph walk on the treadmill and then stretch my legs. When I get back on I feel like I've got new legs and I'm ready to go! I don't usually stretch or warm up for lifting though.

Edited to add that I don't count those 2 minutes toward my cardio time.

Roadie2000

My warm up is about a mile run on a treadmill (start off with a brisk walk for a couple minutes and gradually increase the speed) or until I get a little sweat going, then I stretch.