Stair Exercises For Weight Loss!

The first questions people will ask when you talk about stair climbing is: can someone really get in shape by simply using stairs? The answer to that question is absolutely yes. If you have ever walked up more than 10 flights of stairs you can understand what I mean. In fact my discovery of stair climbing came when I had to walk up 19 flights of stairs to visit a friend of mine. At the time I had not been able to exercise due to an injury and walking up those stairs just wiped me out.

But as a trainer I thought to myself what an excellent tool for getting in shape. Ever since then I have used stair climbing for myself, my high school students, college athletes, elite professional athletes, and most of my private training clientele. Basically anyone interested in improving aerobic fitness, anaerobic conditioning, muscular strength, power and flexibility. In fact stair climbing proved to be such an incredible conditioning tool for me that I call it real stair climbing. I do this to distinguish it from modifications like the Stair-master and the Step-mill. These pieces of equipment are very valuable but can not compare to what real stair climbing has to offer.

So how can one lose weight, get in fabulous shape and look amazing using real stair climbing. The answer is quite simple: Follow the same principles and guidelines of an exercise program. Usually that calls for aerobic work 2 to 3 times a week combined with strength training 2 to 3 times a week. I myself stick with 2 aerobic/anaerobic sessions combined with 2 strength training sessions a week. In this article I'll discuss ways you can use Real Stair climbing to improve aerobic and anaerobic conditioning.

Here are some ideas to help you set up a stair exercises program for aerobic and anaerobic conditioning.

The following are the stair workouts I have used over the years and a few different ways you can use stairs to improve your aerobic and anaerobic conditioning.

1. Real Stair climbing for aerobic conditioning.

2. Real Stair climbing for anaerobic conditioning.

Real Stair Climbing, Jargon, and Definitions:

Real Stair Climbing:

Real stair climbing is the actual use of stairs and stair cases. I do this to differentiate it from modifications like the Stairmaster and Step mill. Although equipment like the Stairmaster and Step mill can have great value they cannot compare to what Real Stair Climbing has to offer.

Climbs or Climbing: The actual act of walking or running up staircases.

Round or sets: From the first floor to the top floor and back down is considered a round of stair climbing. This is not written in stone. Call it what you like. I also sometimes call it a set. Also in my own workouts, I rarely walk downstairs. I usually take the elevator down for safety reasons, but also keep in mind in the high school I work in we have to use the stairs to get back down, but we make it a point not to run downstairs and just walk down and take our time. It is not going to improve our conditioning, but in this case safety takes the precedent over improvement.

Real Stair Climbing for Aerobic Fitness:

Aerobic fitness can be improved by simply walking up stairs. In my experience, I usually have access to 12 to 20 flights of stairs. My first round up to the top serves as a warm-up. I walk up slowly and take my time. Twenty flights takes me anywhere from four to five minutes. When I reached the top I stretch. Usually I'll hold each stretch anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds. In my second round I picked up the pace a bit. One thing to remember is that it does not take much to increase the intensity with Real Stair Climbing. By simply picking up your walking pace just a bit will noticeably raise your workout intensity (it really doesn't take much). An aerobic workout can look something like this:

Round One: Warm-up: 20 flights at a slow pace (4 to 5 minutes) and then stretch* at the top.

Take elevator down.

Round Two: 20 flights at a faster pace (3 minutes 45 seconds).

Take elevator down.

Round Three: 20 flights at a faster pace (3 minutes 30 seconds).

Take elevator down.

Round Four: 20 flights at a faster pace (3 minutes 15 seconds).

Take elevator down.

Round Five: 20 flights at a faster pace (3 minutes).

Take elevator down.

Round Six: Usually my last round at my fastest pace (2 minutes and 30 seconds to 2 minutes and 50 seconds). Relax and stretch a few minutes.

You can gradually increase this workout to 2 to 4 times a week. It all depends on your conditioning level, your schedule and your fitness goals. Doing this workout will improve your aerobic fitness but not do much for your strength. If you want to work on the strength then you will have to set up time for that as well.

The most frequent question I get asked is what if I do not have access to 20 flights. Simple, the less flights you have the more rounds you will need to get a sufficient workout. I think most people can get a great aerobic workout with at least ten flights. If you have five or less flights, it will be tough to get a sufficient aerobic workout, but there are other ways to achieve this goal as I will discuss later.

Real Stair Climbing for Anaerobic conditioning:

My favorite use of stair climbing is anaerobic conditioning. As with any workout start off with a warm-up and stretching. I suggest you use one round of walking up the stairs and then proceed to the anaerobic work. In my own workouts I prefer to run up the stairs for anaerobic work but you could also walk very fast. I also prefer to climb every 2 steps but you could use every step. Experimentation will help you decide what works best for you. In my own anaerobic workouts I usually climb 6 to 12 flights at full speed and then rest for 2 to 3 minutes. During my rest period I usually continue to walk up a few flights. I find this allows me to recover faster. Experiment to find what works best for you. I usually perform anywhere from 4 to 10 sets. As your conditioning improves you have many options to challenge you further.

You can climb more flights
Reduce your rest intervals
Increase your sets (rounds)

An anaerobic workout can look something like this:

Note: in this work-out I had access to 20 flights

Round 1: warm-up: walk up 20 flights at slow pace (4 to 5 minutes)
Take elevator or walk down

Round 2: warm-up: Run up 10 flights (every other step and go half speed),(1 minute)
Rest 2 minutes

Round 3: Run up 10 flights (full speed and every other step), (30 to 45 seconds)
Rest 2 to 3 minutes

Round 4: Repeat Round 3

Round 5: Repeat Round 4

To start this may be enough for most people. As one's conditioning improves you can add rounds, add flights or reduce intervals to continue improving.

Another great anaerobic conditioning tool is an all out sprint to the 20 th floor (that's if you have 20 flights of course). By the 18th floor your legs can barely move. You'll be forced to walk but your body will still be in an anaerobic zone. When I'm pressed for time I use this as a workout. Just do 1 or 2 warm-up rounds of 20 flights and then use the third round as the sprint to the 20th floor.

Another fun way to do anaerobic training is to race up flights of stairs. One person uses one stairwell and the other the opposite. An all out race to the top will challenge even the best conditioned people. With the high school student/athletes I've worked with we had access to 12 flights and racing up those stairs proved to be one of the best ways to condition them. They didn't see it as a workout but just a race. So just calling it a race really motivated them.

There are many ways to do anaerobic conditioning in stair cases. Just remember to be safe and what you're trying to address. Anaerobic work should have you breathless. To get an idea of how you should feel, run a ¼ mile track at full speed and you'll see what I mean.

I think the main reason I like anaerobic conditioning so much is because it gives you more bang for your buck.

Both aerobic and anaerobic conditioning are great ways to lose weight, get in great shape, look and feel great.

Note: As with any exercise program consult a qualified medical practitioner before beginning any exercise program. You owe it yourself.

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Mini Trampoline Exercise For Fast Weight Loss

Mini trampoline exercise is one of the best exercises for fast weight loss. Exercising on a mini trampoline (rebounder) gives you a total body workout and is much more effective than regular exercise. Not only does it burn more calories than normal exercising does, but it has many other health benefits.

Rebounder exercise will engage all of your muscle groups for whole body toning and weight loss. The best exercise program is one that you will be able to stick with. Because exercising on a mini trampoline is fun and easy, it is an exercise routine that you will look forward to doing. It is convenient to exercise in the comfort of your own home. You can even exercise in front of the television, so you have no excuse not to do it.

Exercising on a mini trampoline causes your lymphatic fluids to move which will flush out toxins from within your body. This will increase your metabolism which makes it easier to lose weight. You will automatically be burning more calories than before. You can do such a variety of different exercises on your rebounder that you will never get bored.

Always begin with a warm up bounce in which you keep your feet on the mat and slowly and gently bounce. Your exercise routine should also end with this same slow bounce to cool you down.

After your warm up you can increase your bounce, jog, dance, twist, march and add arm movements. A thirty minute workout 5 days a week is recommended. Because you will use muscles that you don't normally work, you should start with just a five minute session and slowly build up to your thirty minute workout.

You will see fast weight loss results from exercising on your mini trampoline. It is a fun and easy way to lose weight and get healthy at the same time. Get started today.

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Popular Home Workout Solutions

Healthy living starts with diet and exercise. When you eat right and when you exercise, you'll have more energy and your body will feel better. Exercising at home or at the gym are the most typical ways people stay in shape. Many utilize machines to assist them in their workouts. Those searching for a good workout usually hop on a treadmill, elliptical or exercise bike. Many of these machines come with a range of exercise applications created to help you achieve a targeted fitness goal. Check out one of these systems and see what people are chatting about.

Building up a good sweat from exercising can be a challenging thing to do. Running or even jogging on a treadmill will quickly get your heart rate beating up fast. Whether it be a light jog or an intense sprint, you're sure to work up a sweat. If you don't know where to start, try starting up a workout app. The exercise programs you see are designed by fitness professionals. There's a number of different fitness apps to choose from. If you're interested in keeping an eye on the fitness progress made, check in with built-in heart rate monitors and calorie and distance counters. Modern treadmills have become quite advanced. The specifications to each treadmill can be very different from one another. It can be an overwhelming experience when you're shopping for a treadmill for yourself. Try looking around a handful of treadmill reviews. Use treadmill reviews as a tool when deciding which machines are right for you.

Another favorite exercise product is the elliptical trainer. Ellipticals deliver a more low impact exercising experience. Smooth and natural can be used to describe the elliptical motion, which is designed to eliminate bodily impact otherwise present during typical conditioning workouts. You won't see feet hitting any surface like you do on a treadmill. Your feet, joints and legs will experience little if any aches and pains after a workout. Exercise your entire body when you utilize elliptical arms, which move back and forth along with the elliptical strides you take. You'll see that many ellipticals are accompanied with workout apps. This means that if you don't know what you're doing, you can quickly load one of these up and follow step by step instructions on what to do. There are many types of ellipticals out on the marketplace. A lot of variables can determine the kind of elliptical you get. Help yourself by looking at what other users have to tell you about hot ellipticals in elliptical comments and online forums.

The last of the three products we'll discuss about is the exercise bike. Biking enthusiasts will really like workout routines on an exercise bike. You have traditionally have 3 options when you select to workout on an exercise bike. The three types of exercise bikes use an upright, an indoor, or a recumbent design. They each are intended for a specific function. Those looking for leisure workout sessions might find upright exercise bikes to their liking. Upright exercise bikes are modeled after traditional bikes. The indoor cycle is more suitable for those in training. You'll be able to stand and drive your legs into the pedals and cycle. Those in rehab will find the recumbent exercise bike most suitable for their needs. You'll find the posture taken on these bikes to be very comfy.

Folks stay fit in various ways. Exercising definitely helps in that. If you don't know where to start or what to do, consider working out or purchasing a treadmill, elliptical, or an exercise bike. See for yourself and you'll be amazed. Take your fitness workouts up another level. See your quality of life improve considerably when you begin treating your body right.

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