- Using the stairs burns twice as many calories as walking.
- Regular stair users have greater leg strength and aerobic capacity than non-climbers.
- Taking the stairs is often faster than waiting for the elevator.
- Two flights of stairs climbed per day can lead to a 2.7 kg (5.9 lbs) weight loss over one year.
- Six flights a day can lead to an 8.2 kg (18 lbs) weight loss over one year.
- Stair climbing can increase bone density and help prevent osteoporosis.
- Increase your life expectancy: A Swiss study recently concluded that regular stair climbing leads to a 15% decrease in the risk of dying prematurely.
- Stair climbing is a helpful weight loss or management activity, and can also reduce blood pressure and cholesterol.
- In one minute, a 150 pound person burns approximately 10 calories walking up stairs, and only 1.5 calories riding an elevator.
- Walking up the stairs burns almost five times more calories than riding an elevator.
Tips to incorporate stair climbing into your daily routine:
- Invite colleagues to join you.
- Start slowly and gradually increase the number of flights throughout the three week period.
- If your office is located in a high rise, take the elevator two or three flights below your designated floor and walk the rest of the way up.
- Use the bathroom, or fill up your water bottle, on the level above you.
- Take the long way back to your office to get some extra stairs and steps.
- If you park in a parking garage, use the top level and take the stairs back to your car.
- Incorporate microbreaks and do just one or two flights of stairs when you're stressed, need a brain break, or trying to problem-solve.