You’re pressed for time but you still try to squeeze in a 30-minute workout in your schedule. So as soon as you get to the gym, you hit the machines or you start running right away. What’s wrong with this scenario? You’re skipping a crucial exercise component – the warm up!

Did you know that by skipping the warm up phase of your exercise routine, you’re making yourself more prone to injuries? Sure, you want to get to the “meat” of your workout, but warming up is a part of any exercise routine that shouldn’t be skipped.

When you warm up, you’re prepping up your muscles. You’re making them relaxed and loose so you aren’t likely to strain or tear them while you’re exercising hard. You also raise your core temperature when you warm up properly, which in turn raises your metabolism and increases blood flow to the muscles.

When you’ve properly warmed up, your body is ready for a hard workout. You will be able to do whatever exercise you do much easier and much better when your body is prepared and warmed up. There is always time to squeeze warm up exercises in to your workout routine.

The easiest warm up you can do is to do a less strenuous version of your exercise of choice. If you jog, for example, start out by walking briskly for a few minutes and then slowly increase your speed a little at a time. This will get you to your full speed in a short period and reduce the risk of injury.

Many people were taught that the best way to warm up is to do stretches. Stretching your muscles does make them more flexible but static stretches where you work one muscle at a time are not the best warm ups. You should be doing stretches that are more active. These are called dynamic stretches. These keep your muscles moving as you stretch them and provide a better warm up. Stretching is recommended even when you are not going to be exercising.

You should also cool down properly after exercising. The cool down phase allows your body to adjust back to normal after strenuous exercise. You can cool down by stretching and doing a less strenuous version of your exercises.

Keep this in mind: never skip the warm up phase when you’re exercising. Otherwise, you could end up injured. Besides, without a warm up, you won’t be as effective at exercising.