Friends, we’re back to challenge you with more stair exercises. Last week we worked our upper body with stair pushups; today’s focus is a lower body workout.
Any exercise you can do on an aerobics step, you can do on stairs: step up, step down, set it to music. But if you want a quicker, burnier leg workout, try these moves that work similar muscles as squats and lunges:
Double stair lunge: Climb up the stairs two at a time. Nice and slow. If that’s too easy, do it three at a time.
Reverse double stair lunge: Lower yourself down the stairs two at a time. It’s the above move in reverse (you go backwards down the stairs). Take it easy your first time, since this is one of those “eccentric contraction” moves that can leave you sore tomorrow morning.
Sideways double stair lunge: Same thing, but stepping sideways.
With any of these moves, consider holding the railing for safety (but pay attention to whether you’re accidentally using it to support your weight). Do each exercise for one or two flights, resting a minute or as needed between sets.