Do you warm up before a run? If you do static stretches or skip a pre run warm up altogether, let me take a moment to persuade you of why you need to do dynamic stretching before a run. Today is this month’s workout round up and we are sharing five dynamic warm ups for runners!
Research has concluded that static stretching before a run actually has no impact on your athletic performance. Runners who stretch before a run don’t run any faster, but they do report higher levels of perceived effort at the start of a run. Efficiency in running relies upon stiff, springy muscles – and static stretching before a run can render the muscles just a little too flexible.
So if the results are the same but a run feels harder, why do static stretching before a run?
But you don’t want to transition immediately from rest to running, especially if you run first thing in the morning or after working at a desk all day long. Instead of static stretching, experts encourage runners to practice dynamic stretching before a run.
In contrast to static stretching, dynamic stretching improves mobility and uses controlled movements to mimic the specific motions of your sport. For runners, dynamic stretching thus improves mobility of areas such as the hips, ankles, and knees while also warming up the muscles for the repetitive motion of running.
These five dynamic warm ups for runners will warm your body up for running, reduce the risk of injury, and improve your athletic performance. I always like to throw in a short walk of 2-5 minutes before or after these dynamic stretches as well.
I’ll admit that sometimes I do the partial warm up (legs swings and walking lunges) before an easy run or long run, but before a hard workout like fartleks, mile repeats, or tempo runs, I’ll do all of these moves. Pick a couple that work for you or do them all!
Leg Swings: Stand with your legs hip-width apart. Swing your right leg forward and back, increasing the range of motion as you go (especially backwards to activate your glutes). Repeat on your left leg. Keep your knees slightly bent and relaxed. You can use a wall or table to rest your hands on for support if needed.
Lateral Leg Swings: These are similar to leg swings, except you are swinging your legs side to side instead of front to back.
Arm Circles: These will loosen up a tight upper back and help you keep your arms and shoulder in the proper position while running. Extend your arms straight out from your sides, parallel with the ground. Circle your arms forward for the number of reps, and then circle them backwards. Keep your shoulders down and away from your ears and stand up straight.
Walking Lunges: Begin standing with your feet hip-width apart. Step forward with your right foot into a lunge, with your knee above your ankle and thigh parallel to the ground. Lift your left leg up and forward and then step into a lunge with your left leg. As you lunge, you should be traveling forward. You can let your arms rest by your sides or on your hips. One lunge equals one rep.
High Knees: Begin standing with your feet hip-width apart. Quickly raise your right leg up so that your thigh is parallel with the ground, then quickly switch and raise your left leg. Focus on quickly switching legs and landing softly on the ground.
Butt Kicks: Begin standing with your feet hip-width apart. Quickly kick your right leg back towards your butt, then switch and kick your left leg back. Focus on quickly switching legs and landing softly on the ground.
Brooklyn Active Mama’s dynamic warm up will activate your glutes for powerful running:
Happy Fit Mama’s dynamic warm up works all plans of motion:
Vita Train 4 Life offers a quick and simple approach to dynamic warm ups:
Fine Fit Day has dynamic warm up to get your legs ready to run:
(Run Far Girl, our usual sixth contributor, will be back next month. Right now she’s working hard to prepare for the Rise.Run.Retreat!)
Linking up with Coaches’ Corner and Wild Workout Wednesday!
How do you warm up before a run?
Receive Weekly Running Tips & Motivation
Subscribe for my weekly newsletter and receive a free download of injury prevention exercises for runners.
So many great dynamic warm ups in this post! I usually do some of my PT work before I run so I am already somewhat warmed up, but I also like doing lunges and leg swings. I always forget about my upper body but should probably start adding in arm circles before I run!
Thank you – everyone had such a great workout this month! Arm circles are good to add – maybe it’s because I have such poor shoulder mobility but my upper body form, but I think they make a difference in running form!
Thank you for posting the PSA about static stretching. It kills me when I see people doing it before any workout. Do a dynamic warm up instead!! I’m guilty of skimping on a warm up but I do try to do something even if it’s leg swings and hurdlers. Something is better than nothing!
Thank you for posting yours as well! Dynamic stretching really does warm up the body so much better. Something is definitely better than nothing!
I love your description of mine 🙂 LOL!!
This is always such a great link up and yes, I know I should absolutely be doing more of a warm-up then a slower first mile. *sigh*
Lol I’m glad you like it! I think these link ups are good for remembering the little things – I know when the yoga one comes around I’ll be having to make a confession about not doing it… 🙂
As I was just saying on Angela’s blog–I used to be SO GOOD about this, particularly when I was in PT. Now I slack, and I can tell! It takes like a second longer, so why don’t I do it??
It’s one of those things that is so easy to skip – but so rewarding to remember. It’s kind of like how I skip on drills!
The only time I warm up before a run is before a race (any distance) and before I do speed work. I don’t really have a set series of movements; I just jog until my body feels the right temperature and then I do some pickups, stretches, I’ll hug my knees, kick my bum, stuff like that.
If the routine works, keep it! Butt kicks are especially effective!
Love these different variations of dynamic warm ups – lots of variety so it doesn’t get boring!
Thank you! The variety is definitely good to have – that’s my favorite part of these round ups!
I recently started doing dynamic stretches before long runs and love them! They really help me get into my run easier vs. having legs of led for the first few miles.
Dynamic warm ups are the best prevention for lead legs!
A second post in the linkup about dynamic stretching! It’s like you guys know how bad I skimp there… haha.
We’re good like that with this round up! 🙂
so I go weeks with starting my morning with pre run yoga which is great for stretching things out…and then I fall into weeks of doing no stretching (like this week!). I don’t know why this happens.
Loving all this dynamic warm ups! Pinned for later so I can give a few a try with my running club these next few weekends 🙂
I’m subbing in for Jen on Wild Workout Wednesday today 🙂
I never used to warm up, but am (slowly) realizing a dynamic warmup is so key. Heck, it’s even in my coaching manual!!
It is so key! It’s remarkable the difference that even a couple minutes can make before a run.