Today while organizing my photos, I came across this one I’d taken last week at the  Zilker Botanical Garden in Austin, Texas.
Later I found this photo which I’d taken in a Mission Viejo park.
After finding several more photos of stairs, I began thinking about my fascination with stairs. I often see people climbing them for exercise, so I went on line to learn more about the benefits of stair climbing as a form of exercise. This is what I discovered.

1. Stair climbing and walking are the two forms of exercise that are most associated with improved health.
2. Stair climbing, even at a moderate pace, burns 2 to 3 times more energy than walking.
3. It is a wonderful cardio vascular exercise.
4. The only equipment needed is a good pair of shoes, and you don’t have to belong to a gym, or health club.
5. Climbing stairs builds leg muscle mass, which also means more calories burned, even while at rest.
6. Holding the railing while climbing strengthens arm muscles as well, because we are lifting our arms and grasping the rail.
7. Stair climbing tones arms and legs as it strengthens bones and muscles. As you can see, there are many good reasons to climb stairs. You can start out slowly, building up to two minutes, which is enough to make a positive difference. Don’t hesitate to climb longer once you have worked up to it.
   

I took this photo of our grandson as he was learning the skill of going up and down stairs. I couldn’t resist sharing this precious moment with you. Even at this early age, he was enjoying the benefits of stair climbing.