What's a good stretch routine before a workout?

Question

I'd like to warm up my muscles before lifting weights, but I want to reduce cramping during the workout. What routine should I do for an all-over stretch?

Answer 1

Be sure to get your potassium!  I used to get cramps after running all the time!  I started eating bananas more regularly and the cramping has gone away.

The best thing you can do to warm up your muscles before lifting weights are dynamic warm-ups.  Dynamic warm-ups get the muscle warm but also stretch the muscle out at the same time.

1- knee grabs - walk and with every step bring one of your legs up and into your chest

2- russian march and skip - put your arms out in front of you so they are parallel to the ground then begin to walk with each step bring one leg (straight) up to your arms and try to touch them.  do this first at a slow walk pass and then at a faster skipping pass

3- karaoke - facing the side - right in front right behind right behind, when you get to the other end stay facing the same way and do it with the opposite foot

4- high knee skip

5- hip openers - start facing forward, with each step you take bring your leg up (bent) out to the side and forward and down do this forward and backward

for arms

do some arm swings to get the muscles loosed up

Answer 2

Eat plenty of green vegetables. They are low in calories and high in nutrition. Also lift weights in circuit fashion to get a cardio workout plus stimulate your lean body tissue and speed up your metabolism. Here are some free workout videos and other tips to lose weight fast..

http://feedbackhq.com/

Answer 3

Do 1 or 2 very light sets of your exercises then go into a stretching routine. I find it helps to stretch if I warm up the muscles with light exercise first.

But be sure to pay attention to your diet, cramping is probably due to lack of vitamins and minerals. Potassium is often key, as mentioned in another answer.

Also be sure to get at least 48 hours rest between muscle workouts because fatigued recovering muscles tend to cramp up.