Why You Should Take the Stairs More Often
It’s no secret that people want to lose weight and be more active in their everyday lives. The problem is that they often don’t want to go too far out of their normal routine. If you’re struggling to get in shape but don’t have much time to work out, you’ll be happy to hear that you can jump-start a healthy lifestyle by switching to the stairs.
How Taking the Stairs Affects Your Health
Like any aerobic activity, climbing stairs gets your heart pumping and makes your lungs work harder. Unlike running, the most common example of cardiovascular exercise, climbing stairs is fairly low-impact, especially on your knees and feet.
Science backs these benefits up, too. According to a recent Swedish study, regular cardio workouts, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, can help fight heart disease, heart failure and other serious health concerns.
How can you climb more stairs? Besides choosing the stairs over the elevator, you could also try going to a different floor to use the bathroom, or walk up and down the stairs when you’re talking on the phone.
Other Benefits of Taking the Stairs
In addition to numerous health benefits, there are a few other ways that taking the stairs can improve your life. For one thing, you never have to worry about getting stuck in an elevator. Technology is unpredictable and can malfunction on occasion. With the stairs, you know what to expect every time.
Moreover, if you’re using the stairs to get in a workout, you won’t need any special equipment. There are no mats or bars or weights involved, unless you’d like to add some optional ankle weights to make the climb more challenging.
In the office, taking the stairs helps you avoid unexpected delays, especially during peak business hours, when everyone is trying to crowd into the elevator and it stops at every floor. If you head for the stairs instead, you’ll avoid most of this congestion.
Sometimes it’s not ideal to take the stairs, however. If you have a weak heart, bad knees or a condition like asthma that makes it difficult to breathe, you should exercise caution, especially if you’re going up two or more flights at a time. And like any fitness regimen, you should consult your doctor before making any changes to your lifestyle.
Taking the stairs is a simple tweak that can make a world of difference. How do you feel about taking the stairs? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below! Check out our great selection of cable rail, stair treads and wrought iron balusters, and let us know if you have any questions. At StairSupplies, we love hearing from you!