New York City started putting these up last summer in an effort to combat some of the modern diseases compounded by city living (i.e. heart disease, high cholesterol, obesity etc). It's not a bad idea either. Stairs are the secret workout machine that nobody knows about and nobody needs to pay for. It's a tool for building self discipline as well. Something that we can all admit is helpful to have a little more of.
I for one am opting for the stairs at every opportunity at this point in life. With as many as 3 hours at a time spent sitting in lecture I need to move more every chance I get. And with the added weight of school books to carry upstairs the benefit is additive.
A quick check on with online calorie counter shows a significant difference in calories burned for a 175 lb person who spends 5 minutes walking stairs.
ActivityCalories burnedWalking 2 mph18Walking 3 mph29Walking 4 mph34Walking - up stairs53Total Calories Burned134
I've also heard that stair climbing is one of the most directly translated workouts from walking to bike riding. Imagine the muscles the you use when climbing a hill on your bike and when taking the stairs two at a time, they are very similar.
Whenever you get the chance, save a little electricity and burn a little bit extra of your own energy. You'll be happy you did in the long run.
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