September 22nd 2024.
Are you looking for a new and effective way to lose weight? Well, look no further because stair-climbing might just be the perfect exercise for you. It's accessible and research has shown that it's even more effective than walking on level ground.
According to Lauri van Houten, the vice president of the International Skyrunning Federation, stair-climbing is a great way to get fit faster and burn more calories. The federation oversees a variety of disciplines that involve vertical climbing, such as mountain running and the Stairclimbing World Championships.
While these competitions may be for the fittest individuals, the good news is that even adding a few minutes of stair-climbing to your daily routine can have significant health benefits for people of all ages. And the best part? The number of calories you burn while stair-climbing depends on your weight, so the more you weigh, the more you will burn.
But just how many calories can you burn by climbing stairs? Well, research has shown that you can burn about 20 times more calories going upstairs than walking on flat ground. Even going down stairs can burn roughly five times more calories, as the muscles used to slow the body's descent are still being worked.
Dr. Alberto Minetti, a physiologist and biomechanist at the University of Milan, has extensively studied human locomotion, including stair-climbing. He explains that the reason going upstairs is such an effective way to burn calories is because it requires 20 times more energy to move vertically than horizontally.
And the best part about stair-climbing? It's an exercise that everyone can do, and it's completely free! You don't need a gym membership or fancy equipment, just a set of stairs. Minetti suggests paying attention to your speed, especially for beginners and older individuals. He personally incorporates stair-climbing into his daily routine by climbing the stairs to his third-floor residence in Milan.
If you're still not convinced, consider this: if stair-climbing was an Olympic sport, Suzy Walsham would be a multiple gold medalist. She has won numerous races up iconic buildings like the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower. And for those who may not be as fit as Walsham, stair-climbing is a much gentler exercise on the joints compared to running.
The benefits of stair-climbing don't stop there. It's a convenient exercise that can be done almost anywhere, whether it's at home, work, or even while out shopping. And the best part? It doesn't take much time. You can easily incorporate a few flights of stairs into your daily routine and see improvements in your balance and overall fitness.
Of course, like any exercise, there are some downsides to stair-climbing. It may not be the most scenic workout, especially if you're climbing the stairs of a towering skyscraper. But the pros definitely outweigh the cons, and for elite athletes like Yuri Yoshizumi, the challenge of stair-climbing is what makes it such a great workout.
So next time you come across a set of stairs, consider taking the stairs instead of the escalator. You never know, it could be the start of a new and healthier exercise routine.
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