The Greatest Home Cardio Secret
Today’s Topic Highlights
Walking up and down a flight of stairs over and over without pause is the most convenient, effective, and time saving form of fat burning home cardio exercise that exists free of cost.
Walking up the stairs builds muscular strength in the legs; walking down the stairs improves joint integrity.
There are two reasons we fail to use the staircase as an exercise resource. Number one, they’re hard. Number two, we’ve been collectively brainwashed by the alluring promise of technology. This is why people mindlessly gravitate towards cardio machines.
Stair walks are particularly helpful for seniors who wish to maintain their strength or regain part of what has been lost.
Take the following challenge to get started with stair walks. Go up and down an entire flight of stairs 10 times without stopping. No breaks are allowed for catching your breath or relaxing. Keep going until you’ve completed 10 reps.
There is one form of home cardio that reigns supreme over all others. It is free, requires zero maintenance, and has no learning curve. This secret cardio powerhouse comes standard in almost every home. Yet virtually no one realizes it, and those who do rarely take advantage of its presence. I’m talking about the mighty staircase.
Read, reread and fully internalize the following statement. It is true and directly applies to you. Walking up and down a flight of stairs over and over without pause is the most convenient, effective, and time saving form of fat burning home cardio exercise that exists free of cost.
Think about how athletes run up and down the bleachers to stay in tip top shape for their sport. Why is it so challenging and effective for them? One word: gravity. Walking up the stairs forces our bodies to fight the anchoring effects of gravity, which requires leg strength and cardiorespiratory stamina. Done repeatedly, the legs and lungs are placed under intense physical stress. There is no getting around the fact that walking up and down a flight of stairs multiple times will send your heart rate through the roof.
Walking up the stairs builds muscular strength in the legs; the calves, quads, hamstrings, and glutes are all fully engaged as you ascend the staircase. Walking down the stairs improves joint integrity; the tendons, ligaments, and joints are all challenged as you descend the staircase. This provides an unparalleled combination of strength, joint integrity, and heart rate elevating cardio into one simple exercise.
The great thing about staircases is that they are beneficial at any age. Seniors must be able to walk up and down stairs in order to function well, so it’s great for them as they can use the aid of a handrail. Obese individuals can use it for effective fat loss. Athletes can use it for building leg strength and cardio capacity by adding a weighted vest or dumbbells. Every age and fitness demographic can benefit from incorporating stair walks into their fitness routine.