subject: Running For Beginners [print this page] Before you start any type of exercise, you must warm up your muscles or you will suffer the consequences later. Start with a good set of stretching exercises, paying attention to all the muscles in your legs and do some arm stretches and roll your neck a few times. You will want to be sure you are totally warmed up before you start your running. When you reach the end of your session, do the same stretches again to cool down. Don't make the same mistake as many other beginners and skip the warm-up and cool-down all together!