A serious part of almost any workout is the warm up and stretching. Remember that you cannot just go from a stand still to serious exercise without hurting your body, or at least taxing it in a serious way. Stretching can also be a good way to prepare for exercise, because, as everybody knows, when you exercise without stretching you almost always end up pulling or tearing a muscle. The body's muscles are very flexible, but if they have not been properly prepared they cannot change to meet the demands of exercise. A slight wrong movement can pull on a muscle in such a fashion that you will be in serious pain and discomfort for quite some time. Basic stretches, such as the ones mentioned here are a good idea before exercise, although you should not go strait from a standstill to stretching.

Just as the body is not ready to start exercising without a warm up, your body is not ready to stretch without a warm up. First do your warm up, then stretch, and then warm up a bit more before starting the exercise. This combination should help ensure that you do not injure yourself, and that your body is ready to begin working out.

These stretches are only a few of many that you can do to get ready for an aerobic workout. There are many different types of aerobics, and hence many different types of stretching for aerobics. Ask an expert to show you more stretches, and how to do them before you start your aerobics program. Remember that all stretches should be done slowly, and without jerking motions that might injure you. Do not push yourself beyond what you think your body can do. Stretching can produce some discomfort, but it should not be painful.

A good basic stretch is a calf stretch. This can be done by placing one leg behind you at an angle, and putting the other leg in front of you at an angle close to ninety degrees. This stretch is best if you can keep both feet squarely on the ground. Lean forward slowly on the leg in front of you and stretch the calf of the other leg. Do this for both legs.

Stretching both your hamstring and all of your legs is also an important part of preparation for aerobics. Lean against a wall and hold your foot with one hand up to your behind. Hold for several seconds and do the other leg. Bend at the waist and try to reach toward your toes.

Rotate your neck several (do this slowly). Stretch your shoulders by holding your elbow over your head, with your arm behind your back.

Stretch your back by lying on your back and holding both legs up to your chest. Hold for several seconds and repeat.