Can You Take the Stairs Once a Day?
Travel for work is exhausting. Early flights, long days of back-to-back meetings, and hotel stays that throw your routine off track.
By the time you step into the hotel lobby, you’re running on caffeine fumes and the questionable nutritional value of conference pastries.
To get to your hotel room, you’re faced with a choice:
Option A: The Lift – A smooth, effortless ride to your floor. No effort. No movement. No wake-up call for your stiff legs.
Option B: The Stairs – A simple way to stay active while travelling, shake off sluggishness, and boost your energy—without adding a single minute to your packed schedule.
The easy choice? The lift.
The better choice? The stairs.
Benefits of Walking Up Stairs:
If you’re debating whether to take the lift or the stairs, here’s why choosing movement is always worth it:
More energy in minutes – Sitting for long hours slows circulation and makes muscles feel stiff and heavy. Taking the stairs gets blood flowing, sending oxygen to the brain and muscles, helping you shake off sluggishness and feel more alert.
Stronger legs, better balance – Climbing stairs engages multiple muscle groups at once, including your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, making it a simple but effective strength workout. Each step requires controlled effort, helping to improve balance and coordination over time. This means fewer wobbles, better stability when moving, and a lower risk of falls as you age.
Lowers stress instantly – Stair climbing is a natural mood booster. Since it requires more effort than walking, it triggers the release of endorphins, those feel-good hormones that help combat stress, anxiety, and tension. Even just a few flights can help you reset your mindset, clear your head, and refocus on your next task.
Fits into your schedule – No time for the gym? No problem. Taking the stairs is one of the easiest ways to add movement into your day, whether at work, in a hotel, or even at home. It requires zero planning, no equipment, and no extra time commitment—just a quick decision to choose to use the stairs when possible.
A few flights now = stronger legs, better stamina, and a healthier heart later.
Join the Challenge
When you're travelling for work and out of your normal routine, it’s easy to default to lifts and escalators, but what if you made one small change?
Challenge yourself to swap the lift for the stairs at least once a day, whether it's heading to your hotel room, arriving at the office, or climbing to your flat.
Taking the stairs isn’t just a workout—it’s an effortless way to build long-term health.
Take the Stairs:
Start Small – No need to climb all the way to the top on day one. Start with one floor and gradually work up to three or four as it gets easier.
Find Your Pace – Stair climbing is more intense than walking, so take it steady. Use the handrail if needed, breathe deeply, and keep a rhythm that feels comfortable. With time, your endurance will improve, and it will start to feel easier.
Level Up When You’re Ready – Once a single flight feels easy, try:
Taking the stairs twice a day instead of once.
Skipping every other step for a strength boost.
Timing yourself to track progress.
Carrying something light (like a water bottle) for added resistance.
To keep track of your challenges and reshape your habits
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