Gymnastics Warm Up Activities

Why are gymnastics warm up activities important? After all, if you are like many athletes, you probably just want to get to the fun stuff. And let’s face it, gymnastics warm up activities can be pretty boring.

However, warming up before you engage in any type of strenuous physical activity (and gymnastics certainly qualifies) is key. Warm up activities help make your muscles more loose and flexible, which will help you to avoid injuries. Think of it this way. If you don’t do your gymnastics warm ups, you can hurt yourself in a way that will keep you out of action (and off the mat) for weeks, even months. And that’s the last thing any athlete wants.

1. Take a Warm Shower Before You Start. Believe it or not, taking a very warm shower before you start your warm up routine can give you a jump start. Warm ups are all about raising your body temperature to loosen up your muscles, making them more limber and flexible. And that’s exactly what a warm shower can do.  
2. The General Warm Up. The first part of your warm up routine should be a general warm up. A general warm up, which should last for about five to ten minutes, will not only start to warm up your muscles, it will also get your heart pumping and increase your blood flow, which will send needed oxygen and nutrients to the muscles that are about to put to hard work. Some good gymnastic warm up activities include taking a brisk walk, going for a light jog, riding a stationary bike, or even jumping rope. Pick warm up activities you will enjoy to keep your gymnastics warm up from seeming quite so boring.
3. Static Stretching. The second part of your gymnastics warm up routine should be doing static stretching. In fact, this will often be the longest part of a gymnast's  warm up routine. Stretching will help loosen up your muscles, making them more limber and flexible. But take care. Stretching done incorrectly can do more harm than good. It is also very important not to skip the general warm up before you start static stretching.
4. Gymnastics Warm Up Activities. In every sport, there are warm up activities specific to that sport. This is the case with gymnastics. In this part of your warm up, which should last at least five to ten minutes, you should be doing movements that are similar to the movements you will be using while tumbling on the mat or doing your pommel horse routine.