Walking the stairs is one of the best exercises that you can do. Stair walking builds endurance and strength, increases your flexibility and burns lots of calories. Taking the stairs is an excellent cardio workout because it helps you move lots of muscles in your body at one time. It is more challenging than jogging or running because walking up stairs requires you to lift your body weight against gravity.
Here’s what you can do to benefit from a stair-walking workout:
1. Take them as you see them! Every time you have the opportunity to take the stair instead of an elevator or escalator do it! If you feel out of shape, hold on to the railings and take it slow.
2. Make a routine out of stair walking.
· Start by actively walking the stairs at an even pace, inhaling as you lift your right leg and exhaling as you lift your left leg. Pump your arms side to side like you are speed walking or running.
· Build on your routine by taking two steps at a time, increasing your stride.
· Add a small warm-up exercise before and after you climb the stairs: roll your shoulders forwards and backwards three times; walking in place lifting your knees as high as you can- five times on each leg; bend and touch your toes five times.
3. Set a weekly stair-walking goal. Strive to take 100 stair steps a week (that’s 10 steps up and 10 steps down every day.) Gradually increase your goals until you meet the ultimate goal: 10,000 steps a day!
