Walking my dog a good warmup?

[bethellen]

Hi Cathe,
I was reading the tip on the calendar this month about how important it is to do the warmups that are at the beginning of each of your workouts. Typically, I follow this advice. However, sometimes I will take my dog for a quick walk (10 - 20 min) instead of doing the warmup for my scheduled workout that day.
For instance - I have BM2 Cardio & Weights premix on my calendar for today. I plan on walking my dog right when I get home and then doing the workout with skipping the warmup section.
Do you think that walking is a good warmup, or should I still do the warmup section of the workout that day? (I'm not an advanced exerciser yet, but probably high intermediate - if that matters.)
Thanks,
Beth

 

[kathryn]

Since Cathe may not see this before your walk, I'll throw in my 2 cents. I think the walk sounds like a fine warm-up for the lower body and as a general core temperature raiser, just throw in some upper body ROM moves to hit the upper body as well (like as you are walking, do some shoulder rolls and arm circles, or stretch as if you are pulling off a tight sweater (crossed arms with hands at waist, pulling upward until they are above your head). This last one is a stretch I saw in Prevention's walking book, and it really works well for loosening up the upper body and stretching the lats and shoulders.

 

[workingToBeFit]

Not Cathe but I wanted to write about this one. I often walk my dogs before working out. It loosens me up and starts getting me in the mood, and it's good for the dogs! But I always still do whatever warmup is on the video. I find the warmups hit my upper body much more than the walk and I am guessing that Cathe sets up particular warmup movements to help with the specific exercises ahead. Also the warmups are so short and fun for me I just enjoy doing them as well. When I am short on time though I will try what Kathryn suggested to combine upper body warmup with walking because that sounds good as an alternative.

~ Ann ~
Aim for nothing, and you'll hit it every time!