Let’s face it; we are not spring-chickens anymore. We should spend more time using physio balls and foam rollers to aid in recovery after a workout.  And before our workouts, we should warm-up our muscle joints and tendons properly.  However, we are typically anxious to get to the strength and conditioning part of the workout session.

Today we are going to discuss the warm-up portion called the dynamic warm up. Many of the moves look similar to the exercises we do in the strength portion of the workout, albeit, with a load (kettlebell, dumbbell, barbell).

A “dynamic” warm-up consists of “moving” while stretching your muscles and not sitting or standing in one place. Dynamically warming up means that we get a chance to develop better coordination, core strength and integrated movement between upper and lower body. Dynamic stretching requires movement without compensation through all three planes of motion.

This warm-up allows me to get an overall impression of a clients’ functional status. And, being a “functional” (purposeful) trainer, this means more to me.

A “static” warm-up is the opposite. You are stretching, but not moving. Standing or seated toe touching is a classic example of a static stretch. Research now indicates this type of stretching is best suited for the end of the training session.

There are a few things you should be taking note of as you do this warm-up. You are not slinging your body all over the place. You are moving your body as gracefully as possible while assessing your ability as objectively as possible.