Stairs or Elevator?

Each morning, we have the option of taking the elevator, or climbing up eight flights of stairs to our studios. What would you choose?

I have been really good with my cardio in the past six months, consistently working up to about 80% of my target heart rate for at least 30 minutes several times a week.

Yet sprinting up eight flights of stairs leaves me gulping for air!

Maybe it's because I have a coat on, or a bag in each hand. Maybe it's because I am not warmed up and it's 5 am, and I've been up since 3:30 am on very little sleep.

I frequently hit the stair climbing machine at the gym, but it's still not the same.

I'm pretty sure that climbing those flights of stairs each day is good for me. It's got to be working my quads and glutes and my heart. But it amazes me that it still isn't easy, whether I sprint up or climb slowly.

If I could, I'd hire a personal trainer and find the right way to train for this! I do a ton of squats and lunges and other heavy quad/glute workouts with weights, and I can feel the burn as I'm climbing those stairs.

Today I sprinted up, and it still took me 50 seconds for eight flights...and then 2 minutes for my heart rate to recover. And if I'm not in sneakers -- forget it.

And then I watched some of my co-workers trudging up the stairs. They all looked miserable and winded...and they were only going to the second floor! But I guess they figured that since the stairwell is right next to the parking lot, taking the stairs beats walking all the way around the building and up a hill to the front entrance elevator, lol!

The subject of stair climbing came up on our morning show today because we were talking about the first stair-climb benefit to be held at One World Trade Center in May. Those taking part will climb the stairs to the 90th floor. That's 180 flights! The event will raise money for wounded veterans and help educate children who've lost a parent in war. But you don't have to be in great shape to take part. There's also a 'virtual stair climb' using the elevators. CLICK HERE for details.