Think you do not need to take the time to heat up before you work out? Here are seven good reasons why you need to take 3-5 minutes before you hit the gym, the monitor or the courts to properly warm up.

1. Warming up before your exercise will considerably reduce your risk of injury. It only takes 3-5 minutes and your warm up will prepare both body and mind for for the physical training that’s about to follow.
2. Warming up raises the temperature of muscle. Your hot up really does heat up and boost the internal temperature of your body. And muscles contract and extend. Most importantly, warm muscles extend till they are less likely to strain or pull during your workout and tear.
3. Warming up increases blood flow. As you heat up, your heart begins to pump faster and your blood vessels begin to dilate allowing greater blood flow to your muscles which increases the supply of nutrients and oxygen into your muscles. Endurance and strength enhances.
4. Warming up reduces your blood pressure. Warming up and knowingly moving signs that your blood vessels to dilate (increase in size) which allows your blood vessels to travel more freely. Larger blood vessels reduce the functioning of your heart.
5. Warming up increases versatility. As your body temperature and flow increase, so does the flexibility and range of motion of your muscles and joints. Warming up will decrease the risk of soft tissue injuries of ligaments and tendons.
6. Warming up prepares you mentally. After you warm up you’ll feel mentally ready for your workout and much more focused on your coaching session. Warming up arouses your connection because you prepare and stretch each muscle group. When you’re mentally and physically prepared to move into your fitness regimen, as you’re heating up, you may sense that point.
7. Warming up increases hormone release. Your system will adapt to the need for extra energy and trigger the release of hormones to improve your metabolism, and boost stored glycogen and promote fat burning as fuel. If you are burning off more calories than you’re eating and in a calorie deficit condition that is beneficial, these hormones may promote burning stored fat.

Warming up takes 3-5 minutes before your workout and will reduce injuries, improve flexibility, prepare you both physically and emotionally for your work out and may help you burn fat and more calories during your training. Why would you ever skip up your warm?