Tips » Weight Training
Am I losing my mind, or does warming up actually help me lift more weight?
This is physiological. Your joints are very sensitive structures and are lubricated with fluids, cartiledge, and other materials. Muscle is also bound in something called fascia which can become stiff. Finally, ligaments and tendons do not grow nearly at the rate of muscle and are less pliable.
Properly warming up will have blood moving to the local region and warm the tissue so that it becomes more flexible. The warmer joint fluid may allow more cushion and protection as well, and the tendons and ligaments may be able to flex more.
I say may because there is no scientific proof and people often love to debate this ... and injuries do occur even when people stretch and warm up. However, after working with my mentor who has been a trainer for more than 3 decades and has coached both professional athletes and Olympic medalists, I am very open to taking his advice that he has one of the lowest injury rates in the industry because his knowledge of injury prevention which really focuses on stretching and control drills in a way most other strength coaches won't even touch.