Warming Up and Cooling Down Before and After Exercise
Most people know they should warm up and cool down, yet these are the first parts of a workout to be skipped. A quick jog straight out the door or a class that starts at full pace is common. So is walking off the gym floor the moment the last set ends. A few minutes at each end of a session can make exercise feel better.
This guide explains what a warm up and cool down involve and what the evidence says. It also covers how to stretch safely and the signs that mean you should stop. The advice draws on Australian state government health guidance. It suits walkers, runners, gym goers and weekend sport players alike.