Category Archives: Blog

This isn’t the most contentious argument out there. Most people would agree that taking the stairs is “better for you” than taking an elevator. Just as going for a long walk is better than sitting on the couch, or taking a few laps at the pool is better than… well, sitting on the couch. I’m here to say that, like in many other examples, “most people” are wrong and taking the stairs is no long walk and its certainly no laps at the pool. Ok, stay with me…

I’m basing my theory on two main points. The first one is “What is a workout?” The second one is “risk vs. reward.”

1. What is a workout?
Now I’m not gonna wiki workout and get a definition cause I think most people can agree. A workout is an activity that raises your heart rate to a high enough level for a long enough time whereby you become physically stressed. At the doctor’s they call it a stress test. They put you through the ringer and watch how your heart reacts. Some say its pretty tough. If you workout by running or swimming or weightlifting you know that if you have goals in terms of weight loss or muscle building, you have to push yourself until it kind of sucks… At the very least.

Ok, here’s my point. Taking five or so flights of stairs doesn’t do any of these things. It doesn’t raise your heart rate very much and not for very long. Its like running back to pick something up that you dropped… or picking up the pace a bit to catch a closing elevator door. These aren’t workouts either.

2. Risk v Reward.
Now this is the thing that most people don’t think about. Personally, I never run. I don’t feel I get enough benefits vs. the damage it seems to do to my joints. I also don’t box or play basketball… these should seem obvious to you if you ever met me. Basically, you have to pick the workout that suits you. Then do it safely.

So I’m not saying climbing five flights of stairs is dangerous but in a work environment with high heels, snowy or wet conditions, not paying attention, talking and walking… You can see how they could become quite a bit trickier. It doesn’t take much to twist an ankle or miss a step or do one of those embarrassing skip n half falls. What about those people who are impatient and double step it past you? They probably treat themselves to a crispy creme soon after, siting their intense training up the stairs. They will go down, its just a matter of time.

So let’s combine the two points now. Consider that climbing a small number of stairs is not considered any kind of workout, by anybody, and it enters into your unsuspecting morning a small amount of risk that could lead to some injuries that are easily avoided. The elevator wins.

Here’s my advice. Take the elevator. Avoid the stairs. Then go workout in a gym or with a trainer where you’ll get a safe, proper workout.

Boom!

Dave is the Creative Director, Henry’s human and the tallest Dave in the Graphics Department at Pluto.