WARM-UP AND COOL-DOWN

Warm-upThe purpose of warming up is to prepare your body for exercise and to minimize injuries. Warm up for two to five minutes before strength-training or aerobic exercising. Perform activities that raise your heart rate and warm the working muscles. Activities may include brisk walking, jogging, jumping jacks, jump rope, and running in place.

Stretching Stretching while your muscles are warm after a proper warm-up and again after your strength or aerobic training session is very important. Muscles stretch more easily at these times because of their elevated temperature, which greatly reduces the risk of injury. Stretches should be held for 15 to 30 seconds. Do not bounce.

Suggested Stretching Exercises

Lower Body Stretch

h

Floor Stretch

Place feet shoulder-width

While sitting on the floor, open

 

apart and lean forward. Keep

 

the legs as wide as possible.

this position for 30 seconds

 

Stretch the upper body toward

using the body as a natural

 

the knee on the right leg by

weight to stretch the backs of

 

using your arms to pull your

the legs.

 

chest to your thighs. Hold this

DO NOT BOUNCE!

 

stretch 10 to 30 seconds.

When the pull on the back of

 

DO NOT BOUNCE!

the legs lessen, try a lower

 

Do this stretch 10 times.

position gradually.

 

Repeat the stretch with the left

 

 

leg.

Bent Torso Pulls

 

 

 

Bent Over Leg Stretch

 

 

 

While sitting on the floor,

 

 

 

 

Stand with feet shoulder-width

 

 

 

have legs apart one leg

 

 

apart and lean forward as

 

 

straight and one knee bent.

 

 

illustrated. Using the arms,

Pull the chest down to touch

 

 

gently pull the upper body

the thigh on the leg that is

 

 

towards the right leg. Let the

bent and twist at the waist.

 

 

head hand down. DO NOT

Hold this position at least 10

 

 

BOUNCE! Hold the position a

seconds. Repeat 10 times

 

 

minimum of 10 seconds.

on each side.

 

 

Repeat pulling the upper body

 

 

 

 

 

 

to the left leg. Do this stretch

 

 

 

 

 

 

several times slowly.

Remember always to check with your physician before starting any exercise program.

Cool-DownThe purpose of cooling down is to return the body to its normal, or near normal, resting state at the end of each exercise session. A proper cool-down lowers your heart rate and allows blood to return to the heart. Your cool-down should include the stretches listed above and should be completed after each strength-training session.

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Smooth Fitness V2300 owner manual WARM-UP and COOL-DOWN, Suggested Stretching Exercises