How Should Warm-Up Sets Work?

Warm-up sets prepare you for working sets without creating unnecessary fatigue. A useful ramp typically begins with a light load and progresses toward the working weight while repetitions decrease as the load rises. The exact sequence depends on the exercise, working weight, experience and how prepared you feel.

Warm-ups are not extra working sets. A lifter preparing for a heavy squat may use several progressively heavier ramps; a light isolation exercise may need very little specific warm-up.

The goal is to arrive at the first working set physically and technically ready, not already tired. If you lift heavier weights, multiple warm-up sets is often necessary: a light set for movement rehearsal, a heavier set for load acclimation, and then an even heavier set for potentiation. Doing multiple warm up sets helps to avoid injuries.

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