In this episode of fast physiology on the Critical Oxygen Podcast, Dave Schell and I discuss the importance of a warmup and how to do it correctly. We emphasize that a warmup is not just about getting physically warm, but also mentally prepared for the workout or race. We discuss the physiological changes that occur during a warmup, such as increased blood flow to the muscles and the release of stress hormones that increase heart rate and a number of other physiological processes. We also highlight the importance of individualizing the warmup and finding what works best for each athlete. TAKEAWAYS - A warmup is not just about getting physically warm, but also mentally prepared for the workout or race. - During a warmup, there is increased blood flow to the muscles and the release of stress hormones. - Individualizing the warmup is important to find what works best for each athlete. If you have a question or topic you want us to address, leave a comment! Follow Phil on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/criticalo2 Follow Dave on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kaizenendurance/ OR YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCT5Cy95BiLIDQh4KS5bohhQ Interested in Gravel or Mountain Bike Coach? Head to Dave's website - https://www.kaizenendurance.coach/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 01:16 The Underestimated Importance of a Warmup 02:10 Individualizing the Warmup 05:02 Physiological Changes During a Warmup 09:12 The Purpose of a Warmup 14:03 Optimizing the Warmup 19:15 The Psychological Component of a Warmup 22:07 Conclusion KEYWORDS warmup, physiology, cardiovascular system, muscle oxygenation, oxygen delivery, oxygen utilization, metabolites, acidification, enzymatic activity, psychological component