the bit everyone skips (and then wonders why they pull something)

Right so I've been banging on about this to my clients for ages and I figure I should actually say it here too. The warm-up is not optional. Like I know everyone knows that but I mean properly — not a quick jog and calling it done. Mine used to be so half-hearted tbh. And then I started adding proper activation work before anything explosive. Glute bridges, banded lateral walks, hip 90/90s, a bit of controlled breathing to actually get my head in the session. Takes maybe 12 minutes. Sounds like nothing but honestly the difference in how my first few HIIT rounds feel is just... different. Less grinding through it, more actually there from the start. I used to basically write off the first round as a warm-up within the workout which is such a waste. Now I'm ready when the timer goes. My knees have also stopped moaning at me during box jumps which — to be fair — is probably the biggest win.