Bad Angel Rule #85

Take the Stairs.

Ever climb a couple of flights of stairs, start panting and wonder, “WTF, dude?! I’m in marathon shape! Why I can’t go up the stairs without getting out of breath?!”

You’re not alone.

“With stair climbing, you have to do so much vertical work. You move your body weight against the effects of gravity more so than when you are on level ground,” said Cedric Bryant, chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise.

Good to know, right?

Stair climbing also has a surprisingly low impact on joints and muscles, so it makes for a great cross-training workout in the midst of race training. Or, mix up your speedwork routine by throwing in some higher-intensity stair climbing (aka stadium stairs).

(Another bonus: you burn a lot of calories climbing stairs.)

Next time, try skipping the elliptical and the bike on your off day and check out the Stairmaster. — Mags