my complete workout

[mimitabby]

OTG,
as more of us start making exercise a part of our lives, people are going to get used to us being sweaty. My lead swims every morning, and when he gets here, his hair is wet.

We even have people who run at lunch.. their hair is wet too, and their cheeks are rosy.

KG, I am really impressed with what you are doing, you' re not just getting yourself fit, you're helping an entire school!!!

[RoadRaven]

So I have to ask... do you gals run DOWN? Or just up the stairs.

Even walking down, my knees can ache sometimes. And I have heard or read somewhere that going up the stairs is great, but avoid going down because it is bad for your knees.

However, I am thinking I ned to rise to the challenge of this thread...

I work on the second floor of a three story building and always use the stairs unless I have a trolley load of stuff for class.

But I think in my breaks when I go for walk around campus I might start "doing stairs" instead - espesh with winter immminent. If I start on the bottom, set the elevator to go to the third floor and then run up, I can get the elevator back down again and repeat and when I have had enough, I'll just stop my run up on the second floor...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I don't run at all on the stairs. I walk up and down while kind of working/emphasizing my muscles in different ways. Running down the stairs is way too easy for me and doesn't seem to use my muscles as much.

[mimitabby]

I don't run either. I go up to a fast walk. If i run, i get sweaty... I'm at work. and i go up and down and up and down. Remember the down is good for building bone density.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Remember the down is good for building bone density.

Can you elaborate on that concept, Mimi? I don't do weight training, so anything that helps bone density would be great! Tell me more! Why would going down stairs be better for bone density than going up stairs??

[SadieKate]

There are studies that show that impact is important for building bone density. Running, jumping jacks, etc. For example, mountain bikers have fewer bone density problems than road bikers. Weight lifting typically doesn't involve any kind of joint impact.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Good bone density news for stair climbers AND bikers:
http://www.mhmhhealthwise.com/librar...20your%20bones

[SadieKate]

http://www.beezodogsplace.com/Pages/...s-Cycling.html

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

http://www.beezodogsplace.com/Pages/...s-Cycling.html

Good info- thanks! I guess stair climbing would fit in with the hiking as recommended activity.
Weird advice at the end though, of "hunching over" and complaining of aches to your doctor so that the insurance will more likely pay for your bone scan!

[Wahine]

Lisa SH - going downstairs works a little better because it requires a different type of muscle contraction than going up. Muslce forces on the bone also act to improve bone density, as long as weight is being applied to the body. When you go down stairs the physical pull on the bone from the muscle action is greater. This is why it helps more.

This is also why weight training is important even if it is low impact.

Unfortunately, with road cycling, your body weight is supported and the muscle pull on the bone with each contraction is not that large, especially if you are spinning at a high cadence. That's why bone density can be a problem in cyclists.

[Zen]

Weightlifting is so exhausting

[mimitabby]

http://www.beezodogsplace.com/Pages/...s-Cycling.html

I just saw these articles, THanks Lisa and SadieKate

to add to the title of this thread, I can now do pushups.

[caribou]

Weightlifting is so exhausting

Aw . . . How many reps did the puppy-kins do???

[Zen]

Ahh, good old Ranger. He's in doggie heaven now. Not due to weightlifting though.