Is warm up/ cool down really necessary?

fattymcrunnerpants

I feel that it's kind of a waste of time when you're already crunched. I typically "warm up" for like 2 mins before exercising and then walk for a bit before I stop moving. But the trainer at the gym told me that she encourages pushing into anaerobic activity for several minuites at the end instead of a cool down. Does this practice make one more accident prone?

vixtris

warm ups are supposed to get you "loosened up" before actually working out as well as raising your heart rate. i personally do not find the need for cooling down but to each their own.

marcvandenberg

Warming up is importent to prevend injuries.
Cooling down is importend to prevend muscle-pain.

georgina1970

Yes, definitely important.
Warm-up to increase blood flow to muscles, and lungs. Less chance of injury, and a better workout.
Cool-down to gradually reduce heart rate, and stretch. Which increases flexibility, improves breakdown of lactic acid in the muscles, and decreases muscle soreness the next day.

jzammetti

I warm up - just enough to get the blood flowing (so a 15 minute walk is fine), then I stretch, then weight train. I cool down on my way home from the gym. lol I have not noticed any unbearable DOMS for lack of cooling down/stretching at the end.

1tiamat

Injuries related to exercise usually occur because you don't warm up properly. Also, after a workout your muscles are loose so stretching them out will help you with your flexibility and muscle aches.

There are a lot of benefits of the two.

whierd

Yes.