Q: I generally do a few arm swings and touch my toes a few times before I start my weight training. Could you recommend any good warm-ups and stretches to perform before a strength-training session? - D.V., Phoenix, AZ

A: Exercise aerobically for five to ten minutes. Warming up like this before your workout will improve blood blow and flexibility, as well as reduce the chance of injury. Good warm-ups include skipping rope, jogging, or using a stationary bike, treadmill, or stairclimber. There are many stretches you can try after you are warmed up. I recommend you get yourself a copy of the book Stretching, by Bob Anderson, which nicely illustrates all the major stretches. Stretching is certainly a case of "do as I say, not as I do." I have to be honest and tell you that I have not done a lot of stretching in my career and this is perhaps one of the biggest training mistakes I have made because I don't have the flexibility that I should have. If I had spent time stretching before training, I may have had fewer injuries.

Source: fitlinxx.com