Quick reminder that warming up before a workout actually matters. So should you warm up before lifting weights? Yep. Should you warm up before going on a run? Yep.

A proper warm-up isn’t about burning calories, getting tired, or turning the workout into a second workout. It’s about preparing your body to move well and lift safely.

In our sessions, we keep warm-ups short and intentional. Your warm ups should’t take more than 10 minutes max. We use a combination of dynamic movements to get the upper and lower body moving, a core exercise to create stability, and a glute movement to help your hips and pelvis do their job. The goal is to increase blood flow, improve range of motion, and wake up the muscles that are about to do the work.

We also always ease into the main lifts. For squats and bench, that means starting with the bar. For deadlifts, we start with a lighter weight. From there, we gradually build up to your working sets. This gives your nervous system time to adjust, lets you dial in technique, and reduces the chances of something feeling cranky once the weights get heavier.

Skipping a warm-up doesn’t save time if it leads to poor movement, weaker lifts, or aches that could’ve been avoided. A few focused minutes up front usually leads to better performance and a better-feeling body afterward.

Warm-ups aren’t flashy, but they’re one of the easiest ways to train smarter.

Need help with a warm up?