Warm-up exercises are not just for professional athletes and sports persons, they are very essential for people of all ages including kids. Warm-ups play a very important role in everybody's life as they help in avoiding injuries and also sickness. Yes, you heard it right!

Researches point out that performing warm-up can reduce the risk of injuries and also cure diseases like arthritis, asthma; it strengthens your heart and cardiovascular system and prevents all the diseases related to bone. Warm ups reduce the risk of breathing problems caused by airway narrowing.

Some of the warm-up activities are:

1. Brisk walking: Brisk walking for 30 minutes a day can help a lot towards keeping you healthy. Brisk walking does not mean running at the same time, the intensity of your walking must not be too fast. You have to breathe deeper than you usually do. Doing this will increase your heart beat; this is good because your heart is also a muscle and it needs exercises too. If you go out of breath or find difficulty in walking it means you are walking too fast and should slow down.

2. Stretching: Stretching is a major part of warm-up activity. Stretching before and after every workout (especially if you have a tight muscle) can prepare your body for exercises. Stretching increases your flexibility, coordination and balance on your body. Stretching freely and thoroughly will reduce the risk of injuries, reduces muscular tension, increases mental and physical relaxations.

3. Loosening Up: Moving your body steadily, either up and down or side to side in a circular motion is called loosening up. Perform this on the following joints toes, ankles, knees, hips, spine, shoulders, neck, elbows, wrists and fingers. Doing this will help you in proper blood circulation and workout freely.

4. Pushups: Normal pushups are one of the awesome upper body exercises. Pushups improve the range of motion in your body helping you in performing a better work out and also avoid injuries. Pushups contribute a great body and protect you from back pain.

Warm-up exercises prepare your body for vigorous workout. Warm up exercises would include the head, back, tummy, the upper and lower limbs.

Performing warm-ups on a regular basis will improve your blood circulation and help your body use better oxygen. It improves your heart rate, improves your joint flexibility, in other words it strengthens your bones avoiding arthritis. Warm-ups increase your energy level and help you to do more workouts.

Doing warm-up activities on a regular basis will lower your blood pressure and keeps you stress free and reduces your tension, depression and anxiety. Warm-ups on a whole will keep you fit and healthy.