Climbing stairs...realistic goal??

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Oakley64

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Ok, so i mentioned in another post that I study on the 5th floor of the library, and usually have to take the elevator cause my backpack is too heavy, and my knees arent the best...so yea.

Anyways, lately i've been leaving my laptop at home, making my backpack just light enough to do the stairs without murdering my knees.

Now these are pretty evil stairs...there is more than 100 of them (yes, i counted :p) to get to the 5th floor, they are a pretty normal height, but about half of them slope from the back of the step, to the front of it, making it more difficult (if that makes any sense) - and im sure the extra weight on my back doesnt help.

ANYWAYS, for my question...

by the time i reach the 5th floor i am gasping for air (probably more because of my lungs sucking - i am supposed to be taking flovent twice a day - and i forget a lot cause it was just prescribed) - and my legs are aching...

i can do it without stopping, but my heartbeat is definately racing.

So, my question is...if i start working out/running/eating better on a regular basis, should i be able to notice a difference when climbing the stairs?? And does the weight of my backpack have a huge effect on how i feel when i get to the top?

ok, and one more question...going down the stairs...my knees usually feel fine, but could this be bad for them?
 
My guess is YES you'll notice a difference-better food, more water, more excercise. And yes the weight of your backpack will have an effect. It's like going up with a pair of small dumbbells.

How heavy is your lap top! LOL
 
Definitely.. im not sure of your specs (height, weight, age, etc) but if you're overweight and lose weight then it will take some of that weight off of your knees and make it much less of a problem. Running or other cardio on top of that will surely help your gasping and heart racing.
 
kevbo said:
Definitely.. im not sure of your specs (height, weight, age, etc) but if you're overweight and lose weight then it will take some of that weight off of your knees and make it much less of a problem. Running or other cardio on top of that will surely help your gasping and heart racing.
Click to expand...


im not really overweight...

5'3, 117-119... 20 yrs old

i really hope it helps, lol...but its so discouraging knowing i was training in track every weekday throughout the whole season and it never got any better!

haha...moonbeam..

its not THAT heavy...its pretty small, but like 4 years old...it adds like just enough weight to make my knees start hurting
 
u know I understand ur problem!! I used to take the stairs to my office instead of the elevator ... twice up a day and twice down ... 8 flights although I've kept myself from counting the steps :) I did 40 min cardio everyday as well, and I'm definitely cardiovascularly in shape ... but i would be exhausted and panting by the time i got to the top too! Over the months of doing that it did get better, but still everytime at the top i was short on breath and my heart racing. Its just tough work :) And definitely makes u feel outta shape! Personally my knees started bothering me all the time so i quit and now they dont bother me ... keep climbing :)
 
Yes, the backpack will make it harder. Yes, working out will make it easier. :)

One thing to note is that you will always be out of breathe... no one can climb 5 flights of stairs and be totally totally totally fine :p

But it shouldn't be as hard as it was in the beginning. Climbing stairs like that is a great short burst of high intensity cardio training. So it's great for you so long as you are ready for it.

If you really want to get better at climbing those stairs, then work on interval training when you're at the gym. It will help a little faster than regular 'ol cardio.
 
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