by Bryant Nix

Created on: July 01, 2008   Last Updated: July 09, 2008

Before you begin your workout it is important to give your body a pre warning with warm up exercises. When ever athletes are getting ready to perform their sport they warm up first. They don't arrive and start competing. Without warming up they are more susceptible to getting injured. You are no different then any athlete your body needs the same warm up to excel. When lifting weighs it can put a tremendous amount of strain on your body emphasizing on your muscles and joints. Whether you are just starting to get into shape or you are an expert, everyone has to get there blood pumping before they begin exercising.

The objective of a warm up is to prepare your body for a high endurance of stress and oxygen consumption. Your body is going to be working harder and will need to be ready for what is in store for it. Make sure you have plenty of water with you on any workout and never workout with an empty stomach. Your body needs nutrients to perform it's best. Just like your car needs gas to run your body needs nutrients to operate. You should consume at lease a cup of water before you begin your workout and at least two cups of water while working-out.

Remember to stretch before doing these warm up exercises or any exercises so that your muscles do not cramp up on you. Most injuries are from not properly stretching before exercise. It is highly productive to stretch the muscle that you are targeting when lifting weights and after your workout when your muscles need to be stretched the most. Flexibility is an important factor of being fit that many people don't bother putting effort into, so you should always begin and end any physical activity with a good stretch.

That being said, first we are going to begin with easy a standing in one place motions. Starting with your arms and working down to your legs. Standing straight up with your feet shoulder width apart and your knees a little bent. Your arms up on your sides even with your shoulders. Now make small circular movements. About the size of a orange. Your arms should be moving at the same rate in sync with themselves. Do this for forty five seconds to a minute. Start by circling clockwise and then about half way switch directions. When time is up rest for ten seconds. Once your ten seconds is up do bigger arm movements this time so your arms are almost hitting your legs. Repeat the same time as your smaller are circles. Rest for ten seconds and you are ready to begin the next exercises. Add weights with the more

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