What are Some Warm-Up Exercises?

Warm-up exercises can help a person prepare both physically and mentally for physical activity. They serve to lower a person's blood pressure, increase muscle pliability, improve the circulation of blood, and even lower the risk of injury. There are warm-up exercises for just about every part of your body.

Many people start their warm-up exercises with head circles. To perform them, tilt your head to one side, so that one of your ears is close to one of your shoulders. Then circle your head towards the front of your body, moving your head around until your other ear is near your opposite shoulder. Finally, circle your head back to the other side. Do these head circles about 10 times.

Arm circles also make good warm-up exercises. Start with your right arm extended, and then circle backward, keeping your palm outward and your thumb pointed towards the sky. Do this about 10 times and then switch to the other arm. Once you've performed backward arm circles with both arms, make forward arm circles, keeping your palms facing inward and your thumb pointed towards the ground. Repeat these warm-up exercises about 10 times as well.

Hip stretches also make good warm-up exercises. To perform them, stand up straight and move your right foot back about half a step. Then, bending your right knee, move your weight back to your left hip. Now, reach down your left leg, bending forward while keeping your leg straight. Hold this position for about 15 seconds, and then switch sides and repeat the exercise.

You can also use calf stretches as warm-up exercises. To perform them, stand near a wall, keeping about an arm's length away from it. Then lean towards the wall, using your arms to support yourself. Place your right leg forward, keeping your knee bent while holding your other leg back with its knee straight and its heel firmly on the ground. Move your hips forward until you feel a stretch, and hold the position for about 10 to 20 seconds before switching to the other leg.

You can also try leg extensions as warm-up exercises. To do them, stand in front of a stable chair and hold on with both hands. Move one of your legs forward, and then swing it backward and behind you. Bend a little at the knee as you do this. Try repeating these warm-up exercises about 10 times before switching legs.