Stairs vs. StairMaster

Whenever i am hard press for time but still want a grueling workout, I usually run the stairs on Virigna Ave Garage at MU – I use the staircase, without the elevator, on the West side by Pershing because it has the least traffic. I run six sets, sprinting as hard as I can to the top and then running down carefully. In three of the sets I try to hit every step while going upwards and the other three I try skipping one.

Lately, because of the cold weather, I tried the StepMaster at MU Rec Center. Compared to real stairs the StepMaster is not a very good alternative. First of all because you cannot really sprint upwards on it. You can just do a heavy jog, without losing your footing. Second as I got tired I realized I was using my bodyweight more than my muscles and had to correct myself a couple of times.

Finally, running the Virginia stairs takes me about 15 minutes or less, to get the same effect on the StairMaster took me around 25 to 30 minutes.

So where are the best stairs to run?

Multi-story parking garages are the best. They are nice and high, have wide stairs and always have one staircase with minimal traffic, which keeps you from tackling someone.

Overpass: I tried running back and fort the overpass at Broadway and College Ave. Other then a bunch of confused looks from people at the stop light, it was a nice experience and a decent workout. The flat walkway works as a nice little rest break from the stairs. The only problem i really found was there were a couple of crappy cars that passed underneath me and i could smell the fumes and smog all the way to the top.

Your home: Whether it leads to the top floor or to the basement its perfect for a workout. Just going to need way more repititions than you would in a parking garage. It is by far most conveneint  of all places.

Pretty much anywhere: What you have to look for in a staircase is steepness, it has to be steeper than your front door step but not as steep as a ladder. Also you have  to look for areas with low traffic. Trust me, getting yelled at by an old lady whose foot you nearly crushed while rushing to the top is no fun. I didn’t want to go back to the garage for a while after that incident.

I want to know what you think about running stairs or using the StairMaster? Or if you know some other good spots for running stairs?