Pre-Workout Movement: The Smart Way to Prime Your Body
After more than two decades in the fitness and wellness space, one question continues to spark passionate discussion: Should you stretch before working out? The answer isn’t as simple as yes or no—it’s about understanding what your body needs to perform at its best.
Through years of working with athletes and fitness enthusiasts, I’ve learned the key lies in activation and preparation rather than traditional static stretching. It’s about firing up the muscles you’re about to challenge, increasing blood flow, and creating mobility in the joints working hardest during your session.
These principles of mindful movement and body awareness are core concepts I teach in my Sirrine Yoga Corporate Wellness programs, where we focus on practical applications that busy professionals can integrate into their daily routines.
Recently, I had the opportunity to share some simple yet effective “Parking Lot Yoga” poses on ABC15. These movements can be done anywhere before a run, hike, or leg day at the gym. These aren’t just demonstrations to watch; they’re tools designed to be implemented immediately.
The beauty of this approach? It takes just a few minutes but can significantly reduce your risk of injury while improving your workout quality and decreasing recovery time. When you prepare your body thoughtfully, you’re not just preventing problems but optimizing performance.