This was Week 1 of my new stair climbing program and I’m happy with the way things went. I did 30-minute sessions on Monday, Wednesday and today, using a stairwell in the three-level office building where I work. Despite the repetitive nature of the workout and the absence of anything remotely interesting at which to look, the 30 minutes pass quickly. I think that’s because there’s always somewhere to go. Half an hour in the stairwell doesn’t feel as long as half an hour on the trainer.
I don’t intend to get on the trainer until December. Between now and then I will do a handful of outdoor rides and some hiking. I would run if I could, but my knees won’t stand up to the pounding. (That’s one of the reasons I started cycling in the first place.) Stair climbing—the way I expect to do it—certainly won’t hurt but it won’t be as beneficial as cycling would be if good weather and daylight weren’t going to be in such short supply. My average heart rate during this week’s stair climbing sessions was just 58% of maximum … better than nothing, but the main benefit of the exercise is going to be muscular, not cardiovascular. Maybe next week I’ll try taking some flights two stairs at a time to increase the aerobic challenge. That’s still low impact, so it’s worth a shot.
No comments:
Post a Comment