Warming up is important before exercise or sports to prepare muscles and prevent injuries. A proper warm up consists of 3 parts: 1) joint mobility exercises to increase range of motion in joints like ankles, knees, and shoulders. 2) Stretching exercises to gradually increase flexibility and movement speed. 3) Activation exercises to get body systems like locomotion, coordination, and respiration working at a higher level through movements like jogging, skipping, and side-stepping. Warming up benefits the body by increasing blood flow, muscle temperature, and mental focus for the upcoming activity.