Last Updated on October 15, 2021 by Andrew Blakey
Taking The Stairs Instead Of The Elevator
While we all know that taking the stairs instead of the elevator is a good choice, very few of us actually decide to make this the case in our daily lives.
But did you know that there are actually many benefits that can come from actually making this little change… like a surprising amount!
Today we’re going to go through all the health benefits of taking the stairs instead of the elevator, and steps you can take to better fit it into your life (pun intended).
Increase Your Daily Step Count
Now the most obvious benefit for taking the stairs instead of the elevator is that you’re going to be upping your step count quite a bit.
For example, if you live on the 6th floor of a building and the average steps per floor is about 20 that means that if you walk down them on the way to work and back up when you return – that’s about an extra 250 steps for an extra 5 minutes of work.
Now this may not seem like a lot but if you commit to doing this every work day, you’re going to be collecting an additional 5000 steps per month. If you’re someone who comes home for lunch, double it!
If this isn’t enough to convince you to start taking the stairs instead of the elevator read on!
Lower Impact Cardio
While it may not burn quite as many calories as running does, it’s much easier on the joints compared to running. Now that’s not to say one is better than the other, it really depends on where you are in your exercise journey, as well as in life. For more information comparing one vs the other, check out this great article by LiveStrong.
According to the WebMd Exercise calculator, the average 180 lb human will burn about 123 calories in just 10 minutes of taking the stairs.
This is compared to running in which about at about a 6 mph pace, a 180 lb person will burn 137 calories.
While this may not seem like much, over the course of a month assuming you spend about 10 minutes each day going up and down the stairs you’ll burn an additional 2500 calories/month. Not bad for a couple minutes more of your time!
It Can Help With Aging
As someone ages one of the most common things that happens is a decrease in muscle strength, flexibility, and bone density. Now these things are a normal 
part of aging, there are things you can do to slow the process.
One of the things you can do is to be involved with some sort of resistance training. While although taking the stairs may not be as effective as taking part in a structured resistance program, it will still force your muscles and body to work harder compared to the elevator which is a plus!
If you’re looking to get involved with a structured workout program feel free to reach out and we would be happy to set you up!
It Engages Your Entire Lower Body
When doing the stairs you use your legs to lift your body up the stairs but you also engage your core for balance and to maintain proper posture. You also use your calves which help especially as you begin doing the stairs at a faster pace.
The other benefit is that you also use your core muscles which help keep your body in proper alignment and help to keep you balanced!
Taking the stairs instead of the elevator is one of the quickest things you can do to start adding more activity into your life!
You Don’t have to listen to elevator music
Enough said. You can thank Very Well Health for this last one.
Want More Ways To Live A Healthier Life?
If you’re committed to starting your journey towards a healthier you, reach out to us and schedule your free consultation with a certified personal training specialist.
In this consultation we go over your lifestyle habits and give you practical advice on how to start your journey with fitness!
Learn a couple things right away and if you feel like starting to work with us, great! If not, at least you’ve got some practical advice you can start to implement!
