Why Coaches Should Use Specific Warm-Ups (And Why It Changes Everything)

Joe Gilbert
6 hours ago
3 min read

Walk into any busy gym and you’ll see it everywhere:a few minutes on a bike, some arm swings, maybe a light stretch — then straight into the workout.

It looks like a warm-up.But it’s not a specific one.

At REVIVAL Personal Training in Hammersmith, we treat the warm-up as a critical part of the session, not a box to tick. Done properly, a specific warm-up improves performance, reduces injury risk, and helps clients get more out of every rep.

Here’s why coaches — and anyone training seriously — should care.

What Is a Specific Warm-Up?

A specific warm-up is designed around what you’re about to train.

Instead of generic movement, it prepares:

The exact joints being loaded
The muscles and movement patterns required
The nervous system for the task ahead

In short: it bridges the gap between daily life and training intensity.

At REVIVAL, every session — whether 1-1 personal training or small group personal training (SGPT) — begins with a warm-up tailored to the workout and the individual.

Why Generic Warm-Ups Fall Short

General movement has its place. But on its own, it often fails to prepare the body for meaningful load.

Common problems with non-specific warm-ups:

Joints aren’t prepared for the ranges they’ll be asked to work in
Muscles switch on too late, leading to compensation
Technique breaks down earlier in the session
Performance plateaus unnecessarily

This is especially relevant for busy professionals training in Hammersmith, Chiswick, Shepherds Bush, Fulham, and West London, where time efficiency matters.

The Real Benefits of Specific Warm-Ups

1. Better Movement Quality From the First Set

When the right muscles are primed and the right patterns rehearsed, lifts feel smoother and more controlled straight away.

This means:

Cleaner squats, presses, pulls, and hinges
Less time “finding your groove”
More productive working sets

2. Improved Strength & Performance

A specific warm-up increases:

Motor unit recruitment
Joint stability under load
Force production

In simple terms: you lift better and perform better.

This is why at REVIVAL, our coaches programme warm-ups that actively support strength progression — not just temperature.

3. Reduced Injury Risk

Most training injuries don’t come from heavy weights — they come from poor preparation.

Specific warm-ups:

Improve joint positioning
Increase tissue tolerance
Reinforce good mechanics under light load before heavy work

This is especially important for clients returning from injury or balancing training with busy London lifestyles.

4. Better Coaching & Client Buy-In

A well-designed warm-up sets the tone.

Clients feel:

Looked after
Prepared
Confident in the coaching process

In small group personal training, this is crucial. Everyone warms up together, but with purpose — not randomness.

What a Good Specific Warm-Up Includes

At REVIVAL Personal Training, most warm-ups follow a simple structure:

General raise – light movement to increase heart rate
Mobility & activation – relevant joints and muscles
Pattern rehearsal – scaled versions of the main lift or movement
Gradual loading – smooth transition into working sets

No fluff. No wasted minutes.

Why This Matters More in 1-1 and SGPT Settings

In 1-1 personal training, specific warm-ups allow us to:

Address individual restrictions
Re-pattern movement faults
Build long-term resilience

In small group personal training, they ensure:

Everyone moves well before intensity rises
Sessions run smoothly and safely
Progression is consistent across weeks

It’s one of the reasons REVIVAL is trusted by clients across West London.

Why REVIVAL Does Warm-Ups Differently

At REVIVAL Personal Training in Hammersmith, warm-ups are:

Coach-led
Intentional
Built into the programme, not added on

Whether you train with us in Hammersmith, commute from Chiswick, live in Shepherds Bush, or work in Fulham, you’ll experience training that respects your time and your body.