A solid warmup sets you up for a solid workout. When it comes to prepping for strength training, an active warmup primes the joints and muscles, prepping them for the heavy lifting. Lauren, my Equinox trainer , introduced me to these moves, and after a little light cardio – for me, it’s five minutes running on a treadmill at a 6 mph pace, but the elliptical or a little jump rope would work – Lauren has me do three out of these five moves. Mix and match the exercises however you please, or do them all for a very thorough warmup. Rocking Lunge Give an active stretch to both your hips and hamstrings with the rocking lunge. Start in a deep lunge with your right leg forward; you can even

bring your left knee to the floor. Straighten your right knee to rock your weight back and onto your left foot to lengthen the hamstring. Flex your right toes as you rock into the hamstring stretch. Return back to your deep lunge and repeat for a total of 10 times on each side. Toy Soldier A walking kick, the toy soldier stretches out the back of the leg, both hamstrings and calves. Step forward on your right foot, and kick your left leg forward, bringing your left toes toward your right hand. Step onto your left foot and kick the right leg, bringing right foot toward left hand. Take 20 steps total. Keep reading for three more moves.

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Gym 101: Strength-Training Warmup