PLYMOUTH, Minn. — The key to losing weight might be sitting right there in your house or apartment building. A new study claims walking upstairs can burn 20 times more calories than walking on flat ground.
That's a significant spike compared to previous research. What are the benefits of using stairs for exercise? And how does it compare to running? Good Question. If you want to step up your exercise routine, then simply step up to the stairs.
"I feel like it's the best cardio workout," said Mike Leonard as he stood next to a stair machine at the Life Time in Plymouth. "I can target every muscle in my leg group," added Life Time member Brandon Kramer. What are the benefits of climbing stairs? "Stairs are a part of your life.
.. they actually train you to do life really well," Keri Anderson, a fitness professional at Life Time, said.
Exercising on stairs not only prepares you for several flights of them, but the unique terrain our world presents, whether you're an avid hiker or hunter like Kramer. "I typically only start doing the stairs, starting like July, August, September just to prep myself for the upcoming (hunting) season," he said. Why should someone choose stairs for exercise versus running? One reason involves longevity.
"This is an awesome way to get the heart rate up without the impact on the joints. The knees, the ankles, the back can take a big impact when you are running," said Anderson. Leonard compared the stair machine to an escalator, saying it's much easie.