Warm-up question

[runswithdogs]

Question for the treadmill folks. Over the winter I'll have to transition many of my runs to the local gym due to ice and bad weather. The gym is a 15 minute or so walk from my house. Now can I count this as my warm-up walk even though I need to change, sign in, etc at the gym? Or should I do the full 5 minutes on the treadmill or the track?

[Vixchile Graduate]

I would still do the 5minutes just to get me in the swing of things or maybe cut it down to a 3minute walk if i felt like i was ready to start running.

[Judef Graduate]

I would still do the 5 min walk - sometimes it takes a bit to acclimatize - its gonna get cold out there so you want your muscles to warm up and to get in the zone ready for your run

[Rignold]

If you have done 15 minutes of brisk walking your muscles will be fairly well warmed up.

Although why not jog to the gym? You'll get there quicker and have even more benefit.

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Good thought. I'll probably consider jogging if it's cold. Too icy though is another story. Once we have good consistent coverage of ice I'll try my shoe covers/ice picks, and hopefully that can keep me running outdoors.

[Slookie Graduate]

I would include at least part of the 5 mins brisk walk. I am sure I am not alone in that normal life is rushing about. If I miss the 5 mins I tend to set off too quickly then fade just as quickly because I am still in rush mode. If I use the treadmill at all now I have almost always done an hour's dog walk first, but still do the 5 mins warm-up walk just to zone in and enjoy the whole breathing, rhythm, nothing to concentrate on other than me thing.

[helingmic]

Walking to a strenuous kind of weather is more than enough for warm up. Carry on with the exercises, you are doing well.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'll probably give it a go with a mini warmup on the treadmill just to set my pace, and extend it if I'm sore the following day.