Stairs vs. Sidewalks: Which is "Healthier?"

The New York Times' health blog, "Ask Well," makes an interesting health comparison between walking and climbing stairs. Veteran health writer Gretchen Reynolds writes that slowly taking stairs will burn almost twice the energy than walking at an everyday pace along a flat surface.

Stairway walking also "activates more muscles," might have balance benefits, and increases cardiovascular fitness more quickly than regular walking on a level surface. Even walking down stairs seems to use up more energy than flat walking!

A really healthy way to have fun outside! (Howe stairs, Capitol Hill)

New Evidence of Stairway Walking's Health Benefits!

The October, 2013 issue of a prestigious cancer research journal reports that postmenopausal women who walk at least 7 hours per week have a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walk less than 3 hours per week.

The study followed almost 75,000 postmenopausal women for 17 years. In a separate analysis, women in the study who were most active across any of a range of activities such as walking, running, bicycling, and tennis had a 25% lower risk of breast cancer compared to the least active group.

Are you a woman who loves urban hiking? Since stair climbing burns more than three times the calories compared to just walking on a flat surface, we like to think that sprinkling stairways into your route gives a little added boost to that health benefit!