Weekend Warrior Warm-Ups

Antonio Ruffoblog

Playing sports and engaging in physical activities on the weekends can be a great way to stay active and enjoy some leisure time. However, it's crucial to prioritize injury prevention by incorporating proper warm-up exercises into your routine.

By taking a few minutes to prepare your body before diving into intense physical activity, you can significantly reduce the risk of lower limb injuries.

Sports Injuries

Dynamic Leg Swings

Leg swings are a fantastic exercise to warm up your hip, knee, and ankle joints while activating your leg muscles. Leg swings improve flexibility, increase blood flow, and activate the muscles necessary for dynamic movements.

  • Stand beside a sturdy object for support and swing one leg forward and backward in a controlled manner.
  • Perform 10 to 15 swings on each leg. Then, switch to lateral swings, moving your leg side to side across your body.
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High Knees

High knees are an effective way to increase your heart rate, warm up the hip flexors, and activate the lower leg muscles. This exercise improves leg strength, flexibility, and prepares your body for explosive movements such as sprinting or jumping.

  • Begin by jogging in place, gradually lifting your knees higher until they reach waist height.
  • Maintain a brisk pace and perform 20-30 high knee repetitions.

Walking Lunges

Walking lunges engage multiple lower limb muscles, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. Walking lunges enhance balance, coordination, and muscle activation, preparing your legs for the demands of sports.

  • Start by taking a step forward with your right leg and lowering your body into a lunge position.
  • Push off your right foot and bring your left foot forward into the next lunge.
  • Repeat this movement for approximately 10-15 lunges on each leg.
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Hamstring Stretch

The hamstring stretch is an important warm-up exercise for the muscles located at the back of your thighs. This stretch improves hamstring flexibility, reduces the risk of hamstring strains, and prepares your lower limbs for sports activities. 

  • To perform this stretch, start by sitting on the ground with one leg extended in front of you and the other leg bent with the sole of your foot resting against your inner thigh.
  • Lean forward from your hips, reaching towards your extended foot while keeping your back straight.
  • Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds, feeling a gentle pull in the back of your thigh. Switch legs and repeat.

Quadricep Stretch

The quadriceps stretch is a vital warm-up exercise that targets the muscles at the front of your thighs. This stretch improves quadriceps flexibility, reduces the risk of muscle strains, and prepares your lower limbs for sports activities. 

  • To perform this stretch, stand tall with your feet hip-width apart.
  • Bend one knee and bring your foot towards your glutes, holding onto your ankle with your hand.
  • Gently pull your foot towards your glutes, feeling a stretch in the front of your thigh.
  • Hold the stretch for 20 to 30 seconds, then switch to the other leg. 
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if you or anyone you know suffers from pain after physical activity, book in for a biomechanical assessment so we can get you back doing what you love pain free!