If you are into exercise at all, you know that each exercise session should begin with a warm-up and gentle stretching.  Warming up sends more oxygen-filled blood to muscles.  We know that muscles need oxygen to do their jobs.  So, the first thing muscles need before they can perform at their best is a generous supply of oxygen.  An easy warm-up routine increases muscle blood supply and primes them for more vigorous activity.  A brisk walk or running in place for five minutes or so before exercising makes the heart beat faster and sends more oxygen-filled blood to muscles.  

Warming up allows muscles to stretch more efficiently and reduces the chance of injury. Stretching muscles gently before exercise helps prepare them for strenuous activity and relaxes them.

You may think your muscles are relaxed when you start your exercise routine, but they may be more tense than you realize.  Muscles respond to the moment’s situation and the excitement of disturbing thoughts.  They contract, so you are ready to take action.  You can get a good idea of how tense your body is by taking the “shoulder test.”  It’s simple.

Right now, can you lower your shoulders? Or are they relaxed and just hanging there where they belong? If your shoulders are up toward your earlobes, your body is tense all over. This is not the ideal state for your body to be in when you exercise, and exercising tension-filled muscles can cause injury.   Consciously relax and let your shoulders drop back to their designed resting position. Taking the shoulder test throughout the day is a good exercise. When you become conscious of your shoulders’ position, you may be surprised to find that they are up much of the time. And when your shoulders are uptight, so are you.