FITNESS: Step it up!

Everyone knows that cardio is a very important part of any work out routine, no record breaking revelation there. The problem is, basic cardio machines can get very boring and monotonous rather quickly. If you, like me, live in an urban area that doesn’t allow you to exercise outdoors very often, you are probably forced to utilize the cardio machines that your gym has to offer...either that, or you sit at home on your couch all night – let’s hope it’s the former and not the latter!

Ok, maybe I exaggerated a bit when I said you can’t exercise outdoors in urban areas…Yes, here in NYC, we do have amazing parks in which to run…but have you ever even walked through Central Park?! You are one in a gigantic herd of runners / walkers / skaters / bikers / stroller moms / smelly horse and carriages / tourists with cameras strapped around their necks who stop at every future cab road kill damn pigeon that crosses their path…the list goes on…Not too fun when you deal with crowds upon crowds of annoying tourists!!! people everyday of your life. 

Anyway, the point is – in order to maintain a regular cardiovascular work out – we are often forced to use the cardio equipment available at our gym. But it doesn’t have to be a dull and droning 30-60 minute cardio session on the treadmill or elliptical machine – there are more fun options out there. I have always been a big fan of using the Stairmaster at the gym; the step mill version that resembles a mini-escalator, not the kind with two petals that barely move. These great machines live in the shadows of the dull and boring treadmill but need to recognized for their benefits.

My favorite Stairmasters at my local New York Sports Club

 Not only does a workout on the Stairmaster get your heart pumping vigorously but it is also a tremendous workout for your glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves. The incline of the stairs really engages these lower body muscles much better than standard flat surface activity….and trust me, it’s tiring! And it gives you a great ass…who doesn’t want that?

As with most cardio routines, the most efficient way to burn fat is by performing intervals – a period of intense exertion followed by a period of reduced exertion (followed by a period of intense exertion…then reduced exertion….you get the point - REPEAT!)

But feel free to start slow and work your way up to a more difficult level…don’t start out too quickly or you might lose your balance and tumble off the machine… no one wants to be that girl!

Another great way to get in a good and sometimes subconscious stair work out is to (...wait for it...) USE REAL STAIRS! Some of us lucky city dwellers live in walk-up buildings where we actually HAVE to walk up and down the stairs every time we enter or leave our apartments. (Side note: I had friends visit from out of town recently who, after lugging their luggage up the two flights to my apartment, gasped “Where’s the elevator?!” I just giggled and said, “Welcome to New York!”) So the long and short of it is – use the real stairs whenever you can.

I recently took a trip out to California and had the unfortunate opportunity privilege of encountering the Santa Monica stairs… those are some serious stairs! Even though I was scared of accidentally slipping and somersaulting all the way down the 200+ stair flight, it was an incredible work out… I was sore for nearly a week afterwards…my butt is thanking me now though! 

Going up the Santa Monica stairs

You don't want to fall down these stairs...

So if you want your ass and thighs to be thanking you by the time daisy dukes season rolls around (ahem it’s sooner than you think!), get to steppin’!