Bowling warm up exercises may seem like a chore, but the key to consistently safe performances in bowling is to properly warm up the body.
In this guide, we provide a detailed explanation that justifies the need for warming up prior to engaging in physical activities such as bowling. Keep reading to learn more!
How Warm Ups Can Benefit You Before Bowling
Warm ups have numerous tested and proven benefits when done in the right amount and the right time. This is why we see star athletes from any kind of sport like LeBron James and Tiger Woods prioritize warm up routines.
Listed below are the benefits and effects of a good warm up prior to physical activities:
Primes your mental state to prepare for physical activities
There are several physical benefits to warming up, but our favorite is how it can help you prepare mentally for the physical strain that is to come. Much like how party music can put you in a dancing mood or jazz music can put you in a calm trance, warming up your body primes your mind to engage in physical activity.
Most of us have experienced bouts of sluggishness and laziness when waking up really early to go for a morning jog. If you take time to warm up, then you will put yourself in a mental state that is prepared to go for several miles! The same logic applies to bowling.
So, the next time you visit your local bowling alley, do not just drop your stuff on the bench and immediately proceed to roll out hook shots with a 16-pound bowling ball. Take your time, walk around, and do some warm up exercises to get your mind in a rhythm and to prepare your body for action.
Increases the supply of oxygen to your muscles by increasing internal body temperature
On to a more biological reason, the act of warming up gradually increases your body temperature, which deploys more blood throughout your body, specifically the muscle fibers. More blood flow is equal to a greater supply of oxygen which is needed during physical exertion, especially the kind of work that involves intense and powerful movements.
Without going too scientific, oxygen is important when muscles are being used as it breaks down a certain chemical that serves as fuel for your body. A lack of oxygen will lead to poor performance or fatigue, which may mean you will not end the bowling match as fresh as you started it without a proper warm up routine.
Reduces the likelihood of injuries or muscle soreness
Muscles that are properly warmed up are less tense and more flexible. This combination of states significantly reduces the likelihood of injuries or muscle soreness, particularly the soreness that is known as DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness).
Gradually improves your flexibility and joint mobility
Speaking of flexibility, warming up can actually improve your overall flexibility and joint mobility over time. We are not saying that doing simple warm up exercises will grant you the ability to make a perfect split a la Jean Claude van Damme, but you will surely be closer to being able to do a split than you would have been otherwise.
Helps loosen up tense and unused muscles
If you are constantly subjected to the sitting position all day, eyes set on a computer screen for hours on end, head slightly tilted downward, then there are several parts of your body that are underutilized and subjected to a passive state.
If you plan to get up from your seat and head straight into a bowling alley, then give yourself the benefit of doing a proper warm up routine first to wake up the muscles and prepare them for strenuous activity.
Has been proven to increase overall performance
In combining every single benefit mentioned prior to this, the conclusion is clear - conducting a proper warm up routine will help you perform better and more consistently, which will ultimately lead to a higher scoring average in bowling.
The 5 Best Warm Up Exercises To Do Before Bowling
Wrist Rotations
Wrist rotations are simple to do. Clasp your hands together (as if preparing for prayer), and gently rotate your wrists in synch in one direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) for at least 20 seconds. Once 20 seconds have lapsed, go in the opposite direction.
Wrist rotations are one of the best possible warm up exercises to do because the movement required is low-intensity, it can be done from a sitting, standing, or lying position, and it does not take that long of a time to warm up the muscles around the wrist.
Cross-body and Overhead Arm Stretch
The most famous arm warm up duo - the cross-body and overhead stretches, are amazing for bowling because the sport involves a lot of power and accuracy which are essentially generated from the backswing and release, all of which are attributable to your bowling arm or dominant arm.
To do this, press either arm straight across your chest with the free arm and hold the position for 10 seconds. Do the same with the opposite arm. After, raise your arm up above your head and bend your forearm and use your free arm to press downward on the elbow of the arm being stretched. This is done for 10 seconds for each arm.
Hip Rotations
Hip rotations may look silly, but for any age group and skill level, these rotations work like an absolute charm! Place your hands on your hips and begin rotating your butt in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. Do this for as long as you want but make sure to do an equal amount of rotations in the other direction.
Hip rotations are important because they help strengthen the hips and the surrounding muscles, including the butt and thigh muscles.
Jumping Jacks
Jumping jacks are one of the most famous exercises. To execute this, simply jump up and clap your hands straight above your head. Do this thrice for at least 30 seconds each and you will be warmed up for bowling in no time!
Squats
Squats are great for warming up your lower body. To execute a squat, stretch both arms forward and hold the position. Once ready, begin to squat down as if sitting on an invisible chair. Go down to a level you are comfortable with, and spring back up to starting position.
This warm up exercise can be done thrice for at least 10 repetitions each.
Conclusion
Bowling warm up exercises are the key to solid and consistent performances. Never forget to do them as they keep the likelihood of injuries to a minimum, deliver the required oxygen to your muscles, and prepare you for a good time in the bowling alley.