TODAY shares 5-minute walking warmup

TODAY.com published a five-minute walking warmup from certified personal trainer and health editor Brianna Steinhilber on April 28, 2026. (today.com) Steinhilber said people often skip warming up for walks even though walking is “a full-body workout” and supports cardiovascular health. (today.com) Her routine takes five minutes and uses six dynamic movements: gate openers, ankle controlled articular rotations, hamstring sweeps, reverse lunges, walking marches and good mornings. (today.com) Dynamic warmups keep the body moving instead of holding stretches in place. The American Heart Association says warmups can improve exercise performance and help the heart step up gradually for activity. (heart.org) Steinhilber tied the first two moves to the joints walkers rely on most. She said gate openers improve hip flexibility and ankle rotations can improve mobility while strengthening tissue around the ankle. (today.com) She said hamstring sweeps target muscles that often tighten after long periods of sitting, while reverse lunges activate the glutes, hamstrings and quadriceps used to propel the body forward. (today.com) The article lands alongside TODAY’s April 2026 Start TODAY walking challenge, which pushes readers toward daily walking plans and related fitness advice. (today.com 1) (today.com 2) Mayo Clinic similarly advises warming up before aerobic exercise by starting at a slower pace and lower intensity to raise body temperature and increase blood flow. (mayoclinic.org) The pitch is simple: treat a walk like a workout, spend five minutes getting hips, ankles and legs ready, then head out with supportive shoes and proper form. (today.com)