TODAY shares 5-minute walking warmup

TODAY.com published a new walking explainer on April 28 built around one point: trainer Brianna Steinhilber says she never skips a five-minute warmup before a walk. (today.com) The article was published as an Expert Tip of the Day and frames walking as a real workout, even though many people go straight from sitting to moving. Steinhilber is identified by TODAY as a certified personal trainer and health editor. (today.com) Her routine has six dynamic movements: gate openers, ankle controlled articular rotations, hamstring sweeps, reverse lunges, walking marches and good mornings. The sequence is designed to take five minutes and can be done before heading out the door. (today.com) The article says the warmup targets the joints and muscles that do most of the work in walking, especially the hips, knees and ankles. It also says warming up can increase blood flow, improve performance and reduce injury risk. (today.com) Steinhilber singles out hip mobility first. She says gate openers can improve hip flexibility, reduce lower-back stiffness and engage the glutes, core and inner thighs before a walk. (today.com) She also puts unusual emphasis on ankles, calling them a commonly injured joint that provides support and stability during walking. In the article, she says ankle rotations can help lubricate the joint, improve mobility and strengthen surrounding tissue. (today.com) The rest of the sequence moves up the chain. Hamstring sweeps warm the back of the legs, reverse lunges activate the glutes, hamstrings and quadriceps, and walking marches plus good mornings cue posture and core engagement. (today.com) The story lands in the middle of TODAY’s larger Start TODAY walking campaign. Earlier in April, the outlet promoted a four-week walking challenge, and it has also published a 30-day strength-and-stretch plan for people who walk every day. (today.com 1) (today.com 2) That makes the warmup less like a standalone fitness tip and more like a practical add-on to a daily walking habit: five minutes at home before a short neighborhood walk or a brisker workout. (today.com 1) (today.com 2)