The best way to warm up? Use the Ramp technique

Whether you’re heading to the gym or chasing a Parkrun PB, you need to get the blood flowing and your mind alert first.

“Warming up isn’t only about raising our body temperature,” explains Chris Antoni, founder of the private gym Tailor Made Fitness. “When we warm up, blood vessels expand, increasing the available blood oxygen supply to fuel our muscles, helping us perform at our best.” It also encourages our muscles to “loosen up”, reducing our risk of injury.

A short warm-up gets your head in the game too. “It has been proven to banish lethargy and help us feel alert, as well as ramping up production of the brain’s feelgood neurotransmitters.”

In other words, a thorough warm-up is a non-negotiable part of a workout.