Stair Climbing: An Ancient Activity with Modern Benefits
In 1905, a championship was held in Paris to climb the stairs of the Tour Eiffel. 227 "stair climbers" took part. There was one winner, a competitive cyclist named Eugène Forestier, who reached the second floor of this iconic monument in an impressive time of three minutes and twelve seconds. This event marked the beginning of what we now know as Tower Running, a worldwide circuit of stair climbing competitions.
The Tower Running Phenomenon: Why Stair Climbing is a Competitive Sport
Stair climbing is considered a high-level physical test. Proof of this is the growing popularity of Tower Running and the more than 150 stair climbing tests that are organized worldwide. But stair climbing is more than just a competition. It is also an exercise and training form that can develop muscular endurance and increase your respiratory capacity. This simple act offers numerous benefits to global health.
Climbing Stairs as a Daily Habit: Get Rid of Sedentary Behavior
But let's go back to everyday life for a moment. Do you know why we at Svensson recommend such a simple form of exercise? Especially after the summer, we want to explain to you why you should stop using elevators or escalators and use the stairs on foot instead. This habit can not only help to counteract the extra holiday pounds, but also to break the sedentary lifestyle that has crept into our modern routine.
Fighting Gravity: What Climbing Stairs Does for Your Muscles
Did you know that you have to fight against gravity every day? Gravity is constantly pulling us down, and every time we get up, we have to overcome this force. This fact already has a first effect on our muscles. When we walk or run on a flat surface, our body moves along a horizontal line. The higher the speed, the more our body experiences this horizontal direction. But when we go up or down stairs, our muscles have to resist gravity. When going up, we have to make an extra effort to overcome this force, while when going down, only resistance to gravity is needed to avoid falling.
Cognitive Benefits of Stair Climbing: The Effect on Your Brain
The benefits don’t stop at overcoming gravity. When you climb stairs quickly, you have to step hard on the steps to keep your balance. This is not only a physical exercise but also a cerebral one. Interestingly, a study conducted in Montreal by Concordia University in the province of Quebec found that the more steps you climb, the greater the increase in gray matter in the brain. This is a sign of a youthful brain and better cognitive health.
Stairs vs. Elevators: The HIIT Workout of Everyday Life
So, if you live in a multi-story building with an elevator, imagine that elevator is broken every day. If you take the stairs, you are practicing a combination of exercises that is similar to what is so fashionable today: HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training). HIIT involves performing intense exercise for a short period of time, followed by short periods of active rest. This method offers guaranteed results with benefits such as:
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Improved endurance and muscle recovery.
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Increased metabolism which influences fat loss and muscle tone.
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Development of aerobic power and the ability to tolerate physical exertion.
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Strengthening mental strength and self-confidence.
Taking the Stairs for Your Health: Small Steps to Great Wellbeing
It all starts with small changes, like taking the stairs instead of the elevator. By taking care of yourself, not just with exercise but also with nutrition, you lay the foundation for a healthier body and a healthy mind.
So, let's take the stairs together and take active steps toward a healthier, more energetic life.
