posted to Cathe too but would LOVE some opinions

Kimenem

Kimenem

Cathlete
Recently, just to mix things up, I started running the stadium steps at my old high school. There are 34 steps in all and I do it 15 times, with walking laps around the track in between each set of 5 steps. I thought this was good for fat burning but was told today that it will mainly just build leg strength and definition, which is great, but I want the overall fat burn as well. Running was suggested. I've tried running and it is definitely something I would have to work up to. What do you think? If running is the answer (along with diet), how far and how often? Also, is a steady run better than a "run/walk?"
 
Hi Kim,

I beg to differ about the fat burning qualities of stadium running. That workout is ALL cardio. My sister and I have done stadium running lots of times and it is a great fat burner. When I went to the fitness boot camp we ran the stadium at FSU. If that isn't a fat burner I don't know what is.

I have also gotten good results with running. I started last October and have really noticed slimming in my thighs and abs. When I started I did run/walk intervals. I ran for a minute and a half and walked for a minute. As I got stronger I increased the run time and decreased the walk time.

I would suggest that you start off slowly, doing run/walk intervals for 2 or 3 days a week. Start off doing that for 30 minutes or so and see how you feel.

HTH,
 
I would think the walk/stair run would even qualify as interval and increase the fat burning..no?
 
Yes, you are doing an enormous amount of fat-burning cardio running those stairs. Kudos to you! I don't think I could do that!!!

I just took up running again in January after a long hiatus, and it's done wonderful things for me. I have leaned out a great deal. I do a mix of hills, sprints, steady state, and fast, flat runs, and just love it. I only do treadmill running, though, so I can't speak for outdoor running.

I think the best formula for fat-burning and getting results is to vary the heck out of your cardio. I never do the same type of cardio twice in a row. Whether it's running, step, swimming, kickbox, walking, hi/lo, plyo, etc., I am always doing something different. It took me almost ten years to figure that out! I don't know if it would work for everyone, but it certainly works for me.
 
I posted on your other thread, but will here again too just to say that running the stairs is a ton of fun, and you will lean out, and aid in the muscle building in the process. You can also do walking lunges on the field, and you can vary those a ton of ways. I am like crazystepr - I always do something different. When I did the stairs, it was twice a week and for a while, sometimes three times but never consecutive days. I would work it with my leg weight workouts on the off days, and mix it with biking usually. Just be careful on the concrete stairs if you have those, b/c they can not be so nice on the joints. Still, I preferred those to the aluminum (or whatever they are - this stadium had both) because those silver ones made me dizzy so I ran lightly on the concrete ones, with really good shoes on :) I also did some balance challenges too - so much you can do.
 
Well thanks everyone. I just got back from the stadium. I went yesterday as well but wanted to get in a 3rd day, which I usually do over the weekend, but with this stupid tropical storm coming, weekend workouts outside are out :(

Since I did the stadium steps yesterday, I did a brisk walk on the track for a mile, then did a run/walk for a mile, then another brisk walk. Running feels so "heavy" to me and I can say I don't really care for it. But I ran further than I ever have before so that's good. I think I'll try the run/walk thing 2 days per week and do the steps 1 day with the brisk walks in between each set of 5. I also want to get some kickboxing in there as well. One more question though. For the run/walk intervals, what should the timing be? I've just been using markers on the track, trying to go a little further each time around. I don't know if I'll ever be able to do a steady run for more than maybe 1 lap. I think the interval may be better.
 
Kim,

Get a Gymboss Interval Timer. It's the best. It will allow you to set 2 different times, one time for running and a time for walking. In the beginning I set it for a minute and a half for running and a minute for walking but play around with it and see what works best for you.

You can get the gymboss at www.gymboss.com. I think it's $20.

I've missed all my running this week :( too. Miss Fay is taking her own sweet time!! :mad: I'm in Georgia about 30 minutes from Tallahassee. We're starting to get some light rain now. Hopefully she'll be outta here by Sunday.
 
Jeff Galloway has a number of books on the walk/run approach. Lots of very good tips for how to set your intervals and adjust them over time and the big benefits of walking breaks during your runs. I've been running since May and on my long runs (6-7 miles) I find my average pace is slightly faster when I put a brief walk break in every mile. Just that little recovery allows me to go faster in my runs so I average out faster than if I run without any walk breaks.

I burn more calories running than with any other cardio workout and it's been great for my legs. I've dropped 10 pounds since I began (I also was counting calories 5 days a week).
 
This is a stupid question, but I'm going to go ahead and ask it anyway...

Where do you guys run stadium stairs? There is a high school literally half a block from my house, but the track is ALWAYS locked and the fence around it is tall and trimmed with barbed wire. I'd love to begin (slowly, of course) to run stairs if I could find some close to my house.

Thanks.
 
I use the stadium at my old high school which is a few blocks from my house. Fortunately, they don't lock it but there is a fence around it. I usually get there around 5:20am and have never found it locked. Lots of people use the stadium and/or track for exercise and I don't think the school has had any problems so they don't lock it. Hoperfully they won't start since school is back in.

Thanks for the link for the interval timer. I was thinking about trying to find something like that this morning. This will be GREAT!!!!
 
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