What is the recommended duration of a warm-up in a group fitness class?

The recommended duration of a warm-up in a group fitness class is typically between 5 to 10 minutes. This time frame allows participants to gradually increase their heart rate, improve blood flow to muscles, and enhance overall flexibility and mobility. A warm-up is crucial as it prepares the body for more intense physical activity, reduces the risk of injury, and helps improve performance during the main workout.

In this period, instructors can engage participants with dynamic stretches and low-intensity movements that mimic the activity to come, ensuring that muscles and joints are properly prepared. A warm-up that lasts too long, such as 15-20 minutes or more, may lead to participant fatigue before the main workout even begins, while a duration of only 1-2 minutes is often insufficient to achieve the necessary physiological adaptations.