How to use your IZOM warming balm before a running session

Before running, we often think about shoes, the weather, the type of session, and sometimes hydration. We less often think about how we actually enter into the effort. However, a running session begins long before the first few meters. It begins with the warm-up.

This is where your IZOM warming balm can find its place. Not as a shortcut to replace the warm-up, but as a comforting gesture to integrate into a more complete preparation routine. The idea is simple: to accompany the feeling of getting started before moving on to mobility, activation, and the start of the jog.

When to apply it?

The most logical time to apply it is before your warm-up, just before you start getting ready. This allows enough time for it to become a true preparatory gesture, followed by a few minutes of movement.

In a simple routine, it might look like this: you apply your warming balm, massage the areas you want to prepare, then move on to a gradual warm-up. Only then does the session begin.

This logic works well because, in running, the body responds better when it gradually transitions from rest to effort. Serious recommendations on warm-ups go in this direction: start gently, raise body temperature, mobilize, then run. Your warming balm therefore fits in before this gradual build-up, not in its place.

Which areas should you use it on before running?

Before a running session, the idea is to target the areas most used during your stride. Most often, this means your calves, quadriceps, hamstrings, and sometimes your glutes, depending on your habits and the type of session planned.

You don't need to put it everywhere. The most consistent approach is to stick to the areas you often feel at the start or those that work the hardest for you. For example, before a hill or interval session, some people like to primarily prepare the back of their legs and thighs. Before a more relaxed run, the gesture can be lighter and quicker.

The important thing is to maintain a targeted preparation logic, not to overload your routine.

How to apply it practically?

The simplest way is to use your warming balm as a short preparatory massage. You apply it to the chosen area, then massage for a few moments to spread the product and support the local warm-up.

The gesture should remain simple. You can use slow, regular movements, without pressing hard. The goal is not to aggressively work the muscle just before a session, but to create a transition between rest and activity. A few moments are usually enough to integrate this into your routine.

Once the warming balm is applied, you can move directly to your warm-up. This is where the body truly makes the difference.

What to do right after?

After application, the best thing to do is to follow up with a dynamic warm-up. This is an important point: the warming balm can assist in preparation, but it is movement that truly prepares you for running.

Before a running session, the most consistent warm-up often remains a mix of gradual preparation and dynamic movements. In practice, this can be a few minutes of active walking or slow jogging, then a few simple movements to wake up the legs.

For example, you can follow up with: