Stair Climbing Gains Official Exercise Status Amid Landlord Resistance
Stair climbing has been formally included in exercise guidance as a highly effective physical activity, but this recognition is meeting resistance from landlords and building managers who are restricting access to stairwells. Some property owners are claiming that stairs can only be used in emergencies, citing liability concerns that clash with public health recommendations.
Health Benefits and Expert Endorsements
Dr Luis Rodriguez, a 66-year-old semi-retired paediatric pulmonologist and avid stair climber, champions the activity for its comprehensive benefits. "You are working your legs. You are working your heart. You are working your lungs," he explains. "You can get a lot more benefit than just walking, because gravity is working against you." Research supports this, indicating that just four minutes of stair climbing offers similar health advantages to ten minutes of brisk walking or twenty minutes of slower walking.
The efficacy of short, intense bursts of activity was officially acknowledged in 2018 when federal physical activity guidance began promoting such efforts, including opting for stairs between floors at work. Stella Volpe, an exercise expert at Virginia Tech, notes that many people "don’t realize that they don’t have to exercise all in one bout for it to be effective," suggesting these small efforts accumulate throughout the day. Beyond physical health, Jennifer Gay, a public health researcher at the University of Georgia, adds that stair climbing can improve mental well-being and boost feelings of energy.
Landlord Concerns and Liability Issues
Despite the health benefits, landlords are not always accommodating. Some law firms advise property owners that they can be held liable if someone trips or slips on a staircase. Poor lighting, liquid on steps, and broken handrails are among conditions that can lead to lawsuits if injuries occur. A 2018 study of hospital emergency department visits concluded that more than 1 million stair-related injuries happen in the U.S. annually, with broken bones more common in older people and over 60% of the injured being women.
Many building managers have taken this advice to heart, enforcing restrictions that stairs can only be used in emergencies. However, research suggests there is very little risk of injuries for people climbing stairs, according to Gay. She notes that going down stairs can be riskier, but building managers "can’t make it a one-way street."
Challenges for Stair Climbing Enthusiasts
Tom McGee, a 69-year-old market researcher from near Chicago, exemplifies the challenges faced by enthusiasts. For two decades, he has used stair climbing to stay off cigarettes, but his dedication has led to being "kicked out of about every hotel in the city" due to his unconventional workout locations. His experience highlights a growing issue as modern office towers increasingly restrict access to stairwells.
Lisa Bai, a New Yorker working in real estate, says she cannot use the stairs in her office building, noting that what seems like an easy way to get exercise sometimes "it’s not." Others, like Carmen Erickson and Vivian Dawson from the Detroit suburbs, have found creative solutions, such as climbing stairs in parks, negotiating after-hours access to building stairwells with waivers, or staying on top floors of tall hotels while traveling. "If you connect with the right people and tell them what they're doing and agree to the rules, it hasn't really been a problem for us," said Erickson, 53, though Dawson, 64, added, "You have to really want to do it."
Advocacy and Access Efforts
For over a decade, health advocates have pressed for better access to steps. In 2013, ChangeLab Solutions, a California-based health policy nonprofit, issued a resource guide urging property owners to open their stairwells, arguing they pose no greater liability risk than other common areas. Gay and her colleagues estimate that 60% of U.S. workers are in multistory buildings with stairwells, but no statistics show what percentage have restrictions on stair access.
The American Lung Association holds fundraising events like the "Fight for Air" climbs in office towers across the country each spring, highlighting both the fun and physical challenge of stair climbing. However, experts caution that individuals who may struggle with stairs should always consult their doctor before adopting a regular climbing regimen. Fitness equipment such as StairMaster machines can approximate the physical work, but tower climb participants say it is not as arduous as the real thing.
