Running stairs

[Tricon7]

Has/does anyone here run stairs for exercise? How did you like it? I haven't really done it purely for exercise yet, but I'd like to give it a try. Strangely enough, I think I'd like it - certainly more than just running or biking. I have a feeling that I'm not going to be able to do nearly as much as I hope, though. I have knee trouble, and I'm hoping that this partial leg motion as I push up might strengthen them enough to get back to doing squats and leg presses in the gym.

[ironwill2008]

I have knee trouble, and I'm hoping that this partial leg motion as I push up might strengthen them enough to get back to doing squats and leg presses in the gym.

I don't know what your knee issue might involve, but running stairs, with it's inherent joint impact, might not be the best option for you.

[Tricon7]

I don't know what your knee issue might involve, but running stairs, with it's inherent joint impact, might not be the best option for you.

Yeah, I agree. I've been doing some online research and most say that the stairs are bad. Funny, but the only leg exercise I've found that I can do in the gym without knee pain is the leg extensions, which most say one should stay away from. I've tried doing a few extremely light leg presses and squats, and they drove my knees crazy. Something about that kind of motion really aggravates them. I'm curious if one can get decent-sized legs just by doing leg extensions and leg curls.

[Jrob69]

I ran stairs when I was much younger, barefoot. Nothing I would attempt now as no good can come of it. I guess you could try the stair machine if your gym has one, but that is as much fun as waiting for someone curling in the squat rack.

[ironwill2008]

I'm curious if one can get decent-sized legs just by doing leg extensions and leg curls.

Depends on what you'd consider as 'decent-sized,' but look at it like this; whatever you can do pain-free is much better than doing nothing.


Have you tried experimenting with foot position for Squats and LPs? Sometimes just a slight change can make an exercise pain-free.





I also agree about your assessment of Leg Extensions. From a kinesiology standpoint, they aren't the best for knee health. But again, you have to do what you can do.

[JelaniTheGreat]

Haven't ran stairs since high school, with that said the invention known as the StairMaster transformed my life.

[buff_dad_dy]

Ran stairs and hills for 4 years. Both knees went south requiring arthroscopic surgery and have achilles tendonitis in both feet. Great for the calves but.....

Today, I would consider walking up stairs in a focused and disciplined manner but would not run aimlessly up them.

[tomsfish]

i like using stairs in my work outs.i wouldnt call it running for me,more like climbing.
because of bad discs in my neck,no more squatting and only very light deadlifting for me from now on.so i turned to stairs to beat the legs up a little.ill take 2 at a time,carry a couple of 45's up and down etc.
i dont know if you can grow your legs doing this,but i can tell my legs are getting stronger.

[MrNismo]

Ran stairs and hills for 4 years. Both knees went south requiring arthroscopic surgery and have achilles tendonitis in both feet. Great for the calves but.....

Today, I would consider walking up stairs in a focused and disciplined manner but would not run aimlessly up them.

That's pretty much what I do twice a week for intervals on one of these things:



I'll bump the speed up for 1 minute so that I am 'walking' really fast taking 2 steps at a time (skipping 1 step) which makes my strides quite long and really involves the hamstrings a lot. Then I bump speed down to recover and take only 1 step at a time for 1 minute. Makes for a really good and low impact HIIT session, at least for me

Oh yeah, and keep your damn hands off the rail if you use one of these! So many people at the gym support half their bodyweight by leaning on the rails!

[ChicagoWineGeek]

Here in Chicago there is a race every February called "Hustle up the Hancock". 94 stories of stairs (1,632) up to the top of the John Hancock building. This year will be my 11th year doing the race. So I do stairs as one of my favorite cardio workouts. I do real stairs in the hotels I stay at (I travel for work a lot). I've never been able to "run" them, just walk up as fast as I can. Typical workout for me is a hotel with 576 stairs from bottom to top. 3-4 sets, walk up, elevator down. Great HIIT. Cranks the heart rate to 172 by the last set.

[4America]

I ran stairs on and off for a few years, then starting having knee problems. My advice is don’t do it.

[dungeonmistress]

Running? eek! I've had a knee surgery back in March. I won't be running anywhere soon and if there is a zombie apocalypse or any other event where I might need to run, my ass is toast lol. I can, however, squat 225 x 10. I did it earlier this week on quads day. Not ATG but parallel. I see this won't help me in any apocalyptic event.

[ChicagoWineGeek]

I ran stairs on and off for a few years, then starting having knee problems. My advice is don’t do it.

I've got crappy knees too, but going up stairs doesn't bother them in the least. I avoid going down stairs at all costs when training. Stairs up, elevator down.

[philipj]

Practical people talk about "functional" exercise. Simply enough, just avoid elevators, take the stairways UP. Works miracles. I recently met a lady school teacher whose school was four stories. She never took an elevator in 25 years. Her hips, waist and legs would put most body builders to shame. Climb the stairway.