Warm-up

The number-one rule with stretching is to warm up before you stretch! Many people think that stretching and warming up are synonymous, but stretching involves lengthening your muscles, while warming up means that you’re elevating your core body temperature.
A muscle can’t stretch properly if it’s cold. Elevating your body temperature makes the process of extending and lengthening your muscles and the connective tissue around your muscles easier. These lengthenings and extensions reduce the chances of injury caused by stretching and actually increase the effectiveness of the stretch.
Here are some simple five-minute exercises to get those muscles warmed up:

• Performing jumping jacks
• Jumping rope
• Jogging in place
• Swimming laps
• Dancing around to your favorite song

I know this section probably shattered your conception of warming up, but now that you know the truth (that stretching and warming up describe two completely different processes), remember this: You can warm up without stretching, but you should never stretch without warming up.