Here Are The Stretches You Should Do Before Lifting Weights

The good news is that, as per Self, you only need around five minutes to warm up when it comes to preparing for weight lifting.

According to Aubrey Watts, C.S.C.S., a performance center coordinator and assistant strength coach at the National Strength and Conditioning Association, a successful warm up needs to be specific in regards to the range of motion needed for the particular workout. She explained, "So if you are about to do an upper-body lifting session, you may want to spend more time on priming your shoulders and thoracic spine (upper back) and activating your core and glutes. In contrast, if you are about to go for a run or do some sprinting intervals, you may want to prime your hips and ankles and activate the glutes as well."

Trainer Danielle Burrell has some great warm up ideas as well and explained to Self that her go-to workout "wakes up every muscle" that will be used for the strength training exercise. For releasing tension within the body before a workout, she also recommends foam-rolling.