What you do before your workout can be just as important as what you do during it. Get your body ready to sweat and avoid injury by being smart. Here are some of the best things to do before a workout that you should know about.

Stretch

This first one is a no-brainer. Stretching is one of the best things to do before a workout. Incorporate both static and dynamic stretching beforehand so that you can loosen up your muscles and avoid injury.

Use a Foam Roller

A foam roller is an excellent accessory you can use to your advantage before a workout, too. A foam roller will come in handy for several reasons—it can reduce inflammation, relieve lingering pain from previous workouts, and even improve your range of motion. It’s a great way to get your body ready for the workout ahead. To use a foam roller, all you have to is roll it under the body part you’re looking to work by moving with it.

Get Your Heart Rate Up

It’s also a good idea to get your heart rate up before you start lifting weights. An easy way to do this is to include a little bit of cardio in your warmup routine. Five minutes on a treadmill or exercise bike can do a lot to get your body ready for some physical activity, especially if you’ve been sitting down all day for work.

Drink Plenty of Water

You also don’t want to head into a workout feeling dehydrated—it can lead to dizziness. Therefore, you should be drinking at least 20 ounces of water before you head into your workout. If you’re someone who works out first thing in the morning, this is even more important, since you’ll usually be dehydrated after getting a night’s worth of sleep. The great thing about water is that it will also give you that much-needed energy you’ll need for motivation.

Have a Snack

On the topic of energy, having a healthy snack before a workout is another great way to get prepared. Fasted cardio is a great way to burn fat, but if you’re about to lift weights and you need some fuel, you can never go wrong with a protein bar or some fruit.