A while ago I had the opportunity to check out Nick Tumminello’s CNS Activation DVD and it got me thinking about how specifically to use the various forms of warm up for different types of workouts.

Fortunately, when I was chatting on the phone with Nick a couple weeks later he mentioned something to me that I hadn’t really considered.  He suggested that when doing a strength/power workout it might be better to do mobility work, muscle activation, and do the CNS activation last to optimally prepare for the CNS intensive activities to follow.

On the other hand, a hypertrophy based workout might begin with dynamic mobility work which would be followed by CNS activation.  Muscle activation would be kept until last to create the ideal environment for hypertrophy based training.

I think this is a great point and it is one that I am definitly going to start implementing in my programs.  If you haven’t had the chance to check out Nick’s CNS progressions DVD I’d highly suggest picking it up.  The movements are simple, but can take your workouts to a higher level than mobility or muscle activation alone.

*Note that I’m not making a cent for endorsing this product*