The Pain Free Workout - Part 2

Starting a workout routine after taking a break can be a challenging task. Between making the decision to change your normal schedule, and to make the investment in the home gym or local gym, people tend to stay stuck in the "I'm going to do it" mode. Unfortunately, most of those people never start working out, or if they do, they are quickly reminded on why they don't work out all the time when they wake up sore the next day. I am giving you some tips that I have learned over my NFL career that will help you get started at a pace that you will be able to maintain.

In a previous article we discussed the first tip: Don't do to much on the first day. It took you a while to get out of shape, and it will take a while to get back in shape. You will not be able to get your body back after just one workout. Take your time and be patient.

Tip #2: Remember to warm up!

Too many people make the mistake of going to the gym and starting their workout without warming up first. Building your heart rate, and breaking a sweat is the first thing you should do when working out. In all my years as an athlete, I would never expect to play a game without first warming up before the game. We did not do it because it looked cool, but rather it was necessary to put our bodies in a position for the stress we were about to put our bodies through.

The Importance of Warming Up

I'll never forget the first time I warmed up to play a game at Candlestick Park, in San Francisco, CA. To jog around the field where so many memorable players played like Joe Montana, Roger Craig, and Dwight Clark was remarkable. To be able to look across the field and see Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, and Steve Young was a feeling I will never forget. I was preparing to play at the highest level, against some of the best athletes on the planet. But it all started with WARMING UP! I could not expect to do the things I needed to do in the game unless I got my body ready to perform.

Even though you may not to getting ready to play a NFL football game, you still must understand the importance of warming up and getting a good sweat going before you start your workout. You need to dedicate at least 10 minutes for warming up. If your schedule is tight, you must find a way to make sure you warm up first and cut something else out of your routine. I recommend starting on a tread mill, or a stationary bike to get the blood flowing in your body and to get your heart rate up. This will help your body to be ready to handle your workout. Your muscles will be loose and flexible, and you will find that your results will improve over the course of time.