Is 5 min warm up necessary?

[Dougyb83]

Well I'm a bit late asking this really as my next run is my week 9 run 3. But for future reference.

if I'm working out in the gym for 30 to 40 mins on the weights, is a 5 minute warm up walk necessary or can I go straight into my run?

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Happy to be shot down in flames here! I’m of the understanding that the warmup walk is to warm your muscles and prepare them for exercise, thus avoiding injury. So, I’d say in your case, the walk wouldn’t be so important, with your muscles already having been warmed up.

But I’m no expert, so maybe someone more qualified can confirm/deny that!

Great stuff getting to W9, by the way! You’re nearly up on the podium! 👏👏👏

[skysue16 Graduate]

I am certainly no expert but i think you will be well warmed up after 30-40 mins in the gym! Well done on your progress 👍😀

[ArthurJG Graduate]

I guess it depends in part on which muscles you’re using in the gym? But like others above I’m guessing really.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Does the weight workout incorporate thorough leg work? And.although know nothing really about this..I thought I read somewhere that running should be done before weight training???

I do know that a thorough warm up of our leg muscles is necessary though...

[Dougyb83 Graduate]

In fairness I don't do leg workouts everytime im in the gym, so maybe the 5 mins walk is still a good idea. But I may still try it without the warm up one day and see how it feels.

On a side note, week 9 run 3 complete woop woop.

[PaulaGullett Graduate]

You could always cut the warm up down to say 3 mins. I did just that a couple of days ago as was short of time and I didn’t want to cut my run or cool-down down.

[Blistersnbliss Graduate]

what exactly do you wish to achieve by saving 15 minutes in a week (5x3)? Could they be saved elsewhere during the day?

here is from runners world : "Once we get revved up to run it’s tempting to shoot out the door at top speed. But heading out of the gates at full speed—without a proper warmup—is a recipe for disaster, and injury.

If you start out too fast, you run the risk of pulling a muscle, tweaking a tendon, bone, or joint, or getting into a pace that you can't sustain. The result? You end up slowing down and burning out before you're done with your workout. The worst part is that you’re likely to end your run feeling exhausted, discouraged, and dreading your next workout."

(runnersworld.com/beginner/a...

5 minute " brisk walk" allows for the 'muscle memory'to kick in for the run which makes the run a safer activity so very important in my opinion and I would personally separate gym and run in a sense that what needs to be done for run should not be mixed up with any other activity.

Cheers! happy running...

[Dougyb83 Graduate in reply to Blistersnbliss]

Well, 5 mins can be a lot sometimes. For example, I work 60 hours a week (12 hours a day) I start at 7 am and finish at 7pm. I go straight to the gym after work, I don't get home until close to 9pm. I then need to shower and eat probably taking somewhere near 10.30pm by which time I'm about ready for bed.

Sooo 5 mins can be a lot lol.

Although it wasn't specifically about saving time but just generally wondering if my gym workout was sufficient as a warm up.