Stair climbing is officially classed as a 'vigorous exercise' and counts towards the recommended 150 minutes exercise we should all do each week.
Climbing the stairs burns more calories a minute than jogging, but its benefits go far beyond weight loss and include:
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Improved cardiovascular fitness
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A stronger musculoskeletal system
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Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers, obesity and type 2 diabetes
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Improved muscle tone
- An opportunity for thought and mindfulness
All forms of moderate to vigorous exercise have similar health benefits but stair climbing has very particular advantages in workplace health:
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Makes use of an asset your business has already paid for and is obliged to maintain - the stairs!
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Allows busy people to build habitual and regular exercise into their working week
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Does not demand any special skill set or sporting prowess, so appeals to a much wider cohort of people
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Saves time as taking the stairs is on average always faster than taking the lift/elevator for journeys of up to five floors
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Does not require anyone to get dressed up in Lycra or make a fool of themselves in front of their peers!
Read more on the health benefits of stair climbing.