It is officially "Big Coat" season in Colorado, and while the snow is piling up outside our doors, the grind doesn't stop. But let’s be real—when it’s 10°F outside, your body feels less like a well-oiled machine and more like a frozen block of scrap metal!

At Junkyard Training, we’re all about that grit and raw power, but we also know that a cold engine is a dangerous one. In the Colorado winter, your warmup isn't just a suggestion; it’s your insurance policy against injury. You’ve gotta stoke the furnace before you start moving the heavy iron! Here are the absolute best ways to thaw out and get "Junkyard Ready" when the mercury drops.

The "Internal Heater" (5-Minute Gradual Build)

In the summer, you might get away with a quick jump into your sets. In January? No way. You need to raise your core temperature from the inside out.

• The Move: Start with 5 minutes of low-impact cardio. Think rowing, jumping rope, or a steady jog on the treadmill.
• The Goal: You’re looking for that "first sweat." Once you feel that slight moisture on your brow, you know your blood is moving and your muscles are becoming pliable.

Dynamic "De-Icers" (Movement, Not Holding!)

Forget static stretching (holding a pose) while you’re cold—that’s like trying to stretch a frozen rubber band! You want dynamic movement.

• World’s Greatest Stretch: This is a Junkyard favorite! It hits the hips, thoracic spine, and hamstrings all in one flow.
• Cat-Cow to Bird-Dog: Perfect for waking up the spine and core after a chilly commute in the truck.
• Leg Swings & Arm Circles: Get the synovial fluid (your body's natural WD-40) flowing in your joints.

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The Junkyard Winter Warmup Circuit

Perform 2 rounds of this "thaw-out" circuit before hitting the weights:

Exercise	Reps/Time	Why It Rocks
Air Squats	15 Reps	Pumps blood into the biggest muscle groups.
Push-Up to Down-Dog	10 Reps	Opens the shoulders and warms the chest.
Mountain Climbers	30 Seconds	Spikes the heart rate and wakes up the core.
Band Pull-Aparts	20 Reps	Essential for posture and shoulder health.

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Layer Up (The "On-Again, Off-Again" Strategy)

The Junkyard is where we work hard, but don't be a hero and show up in just a tank top!

• The Pro Move: Wear layers during your warmup. Keep your hoodie and sweats on until you’ve completed your first working set.
• The Benefit: Keeping that heat trapped against your skin keeps your joints "greased" and ready for explosive movement. Once the "engine" is roaring, then you can strip down to your training gear.

Focus on the "Cold Zones"

In Colorado, our extremities—hands, feet, and ears—get cold first. If your ankles are stiff from the cold, your squats will suffer.

• The Fix: Spend an extra minute on ankle circles and calf raises. Wake up those feet so you have a solid, stable base for your lifts!

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Junkyard Wisdom: "Rust never sleeps, and neither do we. But even the toughest machine needs a jumpstart in the winter. Treat your warmup like the first set of the day—with focus, intensity, and a little bit of attitude!"

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Ready to Crush Your Winter Gains?

Don't let the Colorado cold stall your progress. Prep your body, stoke your fire, and let’s get to work! At Junkyard Training, we’ve got the environment and the expertise to keep you moving at peak performance all year long.