Warm up exercises before running

[_Vitaly_]

Hi everyone, I'm just starting to run. Could you please advise me on how to warm up before running? Thanks.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Welcome to the forum and good luck with Couch to 5k. It’s a brilliant programme. We’ve got a guide to the programme here with lots of helpful hints and tips, including some suggested warm ups and cool down routines. Well worth a read. Most important is keeping it slow and steady as you run, keeping at a pace where you can talk in full sentences without gasping. Most of us go too fast! Recovery days between runs are absolutely essential too.

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

Looking forward to updates!

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏Welcome to the forum and an excellent question which MissUnderstanding has given you a good link. Please let us know how your runs are going. Enjoy the journey through C25K.. we are with you all the way

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

You can't go wrong with a brisk walk - about 5 mins.

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

If you are doing C25K, each session will include a warm up and cool down walk anyway.

[JeremiahObadiah Graduate]

If you Google ‘NHS warm up video’ there are some short warm up videos that will give you some ideas.

Once you know the sort of thing to do you could do your own routine but it’s quite motivational to do with an instructor.

Enjoy your C25k and remember it’s all about time rather than speed or distance at this stage. Build up your stamina slowly and have fun.

[Tortoisenotthehare]

The warm up/cool down walk is something I never did in the past but think it's a really effective way to not only prepare your body but also your mind for the run ahead.

There is a multitude of advice online, often contradictory, about how to warm up or whether warming up is even effective/worth it. I think a few whole body static or dynamic stretches can't hurt and may prevent injury down the line.