SIGN-UP FOR DAILY TIPS
 
BANG FOR THE BITE
apple

If 10,000 Biters climb three flights of stairs every day for a year (rather than taking the elevator), we'll save enough energy to power four homes over the same period of time.

COCKTAIL FACT

Cows can travel up but not down stairs, because of the way their knees are shaped.

SAVE TO MY BITES   

FORWARD TO A FRIEND:
RATE THIS TIP:
How useful is this tip to you?
(5 is the highest)
   
1 2 3 4 5

home ›   tip library ›   Taking the Stairs

Wanna take your pursuit of a firmer butt to the next level?

The Bite

Take the stairs instead of the elevator. It's the calorie-burning way to avoid awkward silences (or worse, accidental groping), children who press the buttons for all the floors, Muzak, and unnecessary energy use.

The Benefits

  • Buns of steel. No surprises here: Climbing stairs burns up to ten times more calories than standing in an elevator.
  • Step-by-step conservation. Depending on type, capacity and usage, an elevator's yearly energy use can equal that of seven homes.
  • Spending less time staring at your watch. The average person squanders as many as 62 minutes a day waiting (in elevators, traffic, lines).

Personally Speaking

Toshio always takes the stairs at the office - unless he biked to work, in which case he's not gonna lug his heavy hybrid mountain-road 'cycle up five flights of stairs.

Wanna Try?

  • Just be careful in high-security offices so that you don't find yourself locked in a stairwell, hollering for help.
  • Stairway to Health - find out how many calories you can burn just by climbing stairs.

Jul 21,2008


Sponsor
EDF TL/Blog Sky Sept08
All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.


See You Later Elevator

For as long as I can remember I've been a bit claustrophobic, and I suppose that my elevator phobia is an extension of that. I typically deal with it by engaging in avoidance behavior (i.e., taking the stairs whenever possible), while my subconscious plays out my worst fears via nightmares.

Then, I was at a bachelorette party about five years ago in the height of summer in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (read: hot), and we parked at the top of a parking structure. My instinct urged me to bolt for the stairwell, but I ignored my gut and piled in with the other bridesmaids and several strangers (about 15 people total). And then it happened...the elevator got stuck between floors! Everyone reacted to the situation differently, ranging from laughter to tears to heroism. Me? I was crouched down on the ground with my eyes closed, while my cousin (the bride-to-be) was comforting me as I tried to breathe. Firemen rescued us about an hour later.

So, I didn't die. I'm here to type the story, but that elevator trauma has only exacerbated my fear. Luckily, I don't have to explain my phobia when I suggest taking the stairs to whomever I'm with - if they sweat me, I just say it's the more eco thing to do.

-LA Editor Molly...off avoid the elevator at all costs...


Biter Comments...
One more reason to take the stairs: this New Yorker story and video about a guy trapped in a NYC elevator for 41 hours: http://www.newyorker.com/online/video/2008/04/21/080421_elevators. Climbing 20 flights of stairs doesn't sound so bad, after all.

Posted by: Caroline | July 21, 2008 at 10:08 AM

ever since high school [large flight of stairs, elevator not an option] i have been 'taking them by twos'.. stairs, that is. the first few times you try it, it will seem like a double workout.. your buns will feel the burn! but as soon as you get used to taking steps two at a time, you will be amazed at how quickly you can zip up that staircase [and at how toned your calves are getting, with minimal effort.] give it a try!

Posted by: sarah! | July 21, 2008 at 01:49 PM

Good tip, Sarah! and Ideal Bite. Taking the stairs rather than the elevator (depending on how many flights you need to cover) is not only the HEALTHIER way to go, but it's often also the FASTER way to go. Oftentimes, in the time you spend standing around waiting for the elevator to arrive, (elevators can be SO slow!), you could have already reached your destination (and maybe even returned to your office) via the stairs.

Posted by: Linda | July 22, 2008 at 07:44 AM

I work long hours in production, and often can't get to the gym. So when I know I'm not going to be able to work out as much, I definitely take the stairs...it's a pretty good alternative when there is nothing else to do :) Plus like Molly wrote, it's the eco thing to do!

Posted by: tracy | July 22, 2008 at 01:40 PM

I have redesigned my life without elevators. Bad air in them anyway/ I live in a walk up apartment on the 4th floor of a beautiful building in NYC UES and am very happy. Since there is NO ellevator, my guests cannot put pressure on me to get into one. There is a newly vacant penthouse duplex in the building for any others with my affliction. No interested in changing my life right now. Finally happy. regards to all.

Posted by: Wendy Lowe | October 10, 2008 at 12:59 PM

Post a comment
* Denotes a required field




* Please enter the word you see in the image below:




TL/Blog-Banner-Onesie

ABOUT US  | ADVERTISE  |  B.I.G. AWARDS  |  PRESS  |  PARTNERS  |  SUBMIT A PRODUCT  |  ADD OUR TIPS TO YOUR SITE

CONTACT US  |  F.A.Q.  |  EDITORIAL POLICY  |  PRIVACY POLICY  |  TERMS & CONDITIONS  |  DISCLAIMER  |  UNSUBSCRIBE

IDEAL BITE IS NOT INTENDED FOR READERS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

© 2008 IDEAL BITE, INC.

Are you liking these Bites? If so, you should consider signing up to have these bite-sized, sassy eco-living tips emailed to you each weekday... free!