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Warm Ups/Cool Downs

The Right Rehearsal

Abbie Appel | December 31, 2006

When I started in group fitness almost 20 years ago, I was taught that the warm-up offered many benefits and was a mandatory segment of a properly designed class. Even so, I took warm-ups for granted and saw them as an obstacle I needed to overcome in order to get to the “good stuff.” It took me years to figure out that a fun, effective warm-up could set the tone for the entir…

Splash Start

Bethany Diamond | August 31, 2006

Water warm-ups are similar to land warm-ups in that the purpose is to raise the body’s temperature and to practice movements before working out. This is where the similarities end. Water warm-ups require additional consideration owing to the element’s viscosity, temperature and buoyancy.
This warm-up is divided into two parts: buoyancy and cardio. The sections each la…

Go With the Flow

Kimberly Spreen | June 30, 2006

We want every class we teach to be well-rounded and efficient, and yet we often shortchange participants by neglecting the much-needed cool-down/flexibility segment. Let your students know how important it is to gradually cool the body. Keep them focused all the way to the end with creative variety. The following cool-down keeps things interesting by combining rhythmic movement, balance a…

Light and Dark

Marla Ericksen | January 31, 2006

The cool-down is a great time to introduce and explore the mind-body connection. During this phase, the body and mind make the transition from intense physical and intellectual stimulation to a state of equilibrium. Promote this balancing effect by harmonizing yin and yang energies, …

Senior Moments

Ken Alan | January 31, 2005

The cooldown should be like frosting—sweet, smooth and so delicious that students want to stay until they finish the very last section of cake—err, I mean, class…

Too Cool to Cool Down?

Marcos Prolo | September 30, 2004

It’s the end of your class, and your students are enjoying every second of the workout you so carefully planned. The energy in the room is upbeat, and everyone just wants to keep going for a few extra minutes. So the million-dollar ques-
tion is this: Will you keep going until the last minute, or will you leave enough time for a proper cooldown and stretching?

Balance Your Act

Gay Gasper | August 31, 2004

The BOSU® Balance Trainer has rapidly become part of our group fitness classes. Its versatility makes it a great addition to almost any format; however, it is essential to acclimate students to the dome’s uneven surface before warming up.
For a safe and successful class, teach participants how the body reacts on the BOSU by introducing moves that generate warmth in the muscles as well as the mind. This will help students adapt and feel more confident, opening the door to greater learning and participation.

does stretching reduce injury risk?

Ralph La Forge, MS | May 31, 2004

Thacker, S.B., et al. 2004. The impact of stretching on sports injury risk: A systematic review of the literature. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36 (3): 371–8.

Purpose. Researchers at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion systematically reviewed the research literature in order to assess whether stretching effectively prevents sports injuries and to make recommendations for research and prevention.

Prime-Time Hi-Lo

IDEA Authors | January 31, 2004

Group fitness instructors have always been innovators, viewing movement as something they can continually make more creative and fun. High-low is an example of an evolution that worked. This mixed-intensity class followed on the injured heels
of the 1980s’ high-impact aerobics.

Get Creative With Circuits

Len Kravitz, PhD | June 1, 2003

Inactivity is taking its toll on human beings. As fitness professionals, we are keenly aware that society is fascinated with the human body—with losing fat, specifically—and yet, getting people to exercise is still a major…

How to Design Hot Cardio Warm Ups

Karen Asp, MA | August 31, 2002

If you’re like most group fitness instructors, you’ve probably devoted a good deal of time to planning
innovative cardio workouts for your participants. But how much time have you spent worrying about the warm-ups for your cardio classes? Your cardio warm-ups may last only 5 or 10 minutes, but they deserve your attention, too.

Strength Training Class Warm-Ups

Fred Hoffman, MEd | March 31, 2002

Once upon a time, group fitness instructors started their strength training classes with a relatively static warm-up that consisted of single-joint movements, such as head circles, shoulder rolls backwards and forwards, and hip swings side to side. As the industry progressed, warm-ups became more varied and we branched out—maybe too far out! Today’s warm-up options range from no warm-up at all to 10-minute, low-impact cardio warm-ups, with many variations in between.

The Role of Stretching Exercises: From Warm-Ups to Cool-Downs

Karen Asp, MA | October 31, 2001

Some controversy surrounds the role that stretching exercises play in regard to fitness training, especially group fitness classes. Perhaps more than ever, debate is brewing about the proper time and place to stretch. Exactly when and what type of stretching exercises do we need to include in our classes? Although little definitive research is available on the subject, fitness experts are trying to reach a consensus.

The Active Range Warm-Up: Getting Hotter With Time

P. Anderson | March 31, 2000

movement

By Paula Anderson, MS

The Active Range Warm-Up:
Getting Hotter With Time

I

n the early days of group fitness when everyone wore leg warmers and exercised to Jane Fonda tapes, the warm-up portion of a typical cardio conditioning class included moves borrowed from ballet, jazz dance and yoga. Unending head turns, pli…

Exercise Program Design

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