Upside Down, Inside Out, and Sideways

This morning I went to SBCC to do "stadiums." I love the lower body workout I get from walking up and down those stairs for 45 minutes to an hour. In fact, if I haven't done them in a while, I have to be careful that I don't over-do it, or I get very sore. And I mean sore, in the "I can barely walk" sort of way.

One thing you should know, is that when I do "stadiums," I do not run. Besides not running though, I pretty much do everything else I can think of to mix it up. I go up 2 stairs at a time, 1 stair at a time, add a hamstring kick-back on every step, step up and balance on 1 foot, walk up the stairs backwards, walk up sideways, walk up sideways w/ a crossover step each step, do a full squat every other step, walk up while carrying 10-20 lb weight overhead. In addition, at the top and/or bottom of each set, I'll add upper body and core moves such as push-ups, dips, Russian twists, and rows.

Here are a few recommendations for you if you're thinking about trying this for the first time:
1. Warm-up!!! Loosen up your joints by warming up and doing mobility drills.
2. Make your first session short. 15-20 minutes should do it, without "doing you in." Remember what I said about getting so sore that I could barely walk? Don't let that happen to you!
3. Step slowly. Just get the rhythm and feel of the stairs. Unlike an indoor staircase, the stadiums are not all the same height. So, get comfortable with them first. You can add speed later.
4. On the way down, watch the stairs, not the view! The view from SBCC is amazing. I take in the view at the top, prior to starting down the stairs. On the way down, I pay 100% attention to the stairs!
5. Bring a water bottle. Doing stadiums is strenuous, and you need to be sure to stay hydrated.
6. Dress in layers. Even on a cold, overcast morning, within 5 minutes of beginning this workout, you may wish you could shed a layer or two of clothing.

Do it with a friend, or do it with music. Be safe, have fun! And, if you want help getting started, you're welcome to join me next time I go. My next planned outing is for the morning of Tuesday August 31st.