Step it up!

So this post is a bit Seattle focused, but hopefully it will inspire you long distance readers to explore an outdoor staircase or local trail in your city or town.

Tired of dragging yourself to the gym after a long day at the office only to climb and climb on the Stairmaster or elliptical trainer without ever getting anywhere? Of course there is the enticement of the juice bar and the multiple TV’s showing your favorite (or not) soap opera. Come on Seattle, its summer! Let’s follow the advice of REI and “Find Out”. Wait, before you jump in your car or on your bike and head to Greenlake with the rest of the city, why not step it up and enjoy a heart-pumping climb to your own tunes on the Howe street stairs between Lakeview in Eastlake and 10th Ave East in Capitol Hill. Sure, the 12 or so 20-step flights might seem daunting at first, but side rails and a couple of extended breaks between flights make it adaptable to just about anyone’s fitness level. The stairs provide a great way to spice up an exercise routine, train for mountain adventures, or offer a challenging addition to an urban hike to Capitol Hill and beyond.

Reached the top or your peak for the day? Turn around and be rewarded with an amazing view of Lake Union, Queen Anne and the Olympics. Plus, the surrounding yards are landscaped so beautifully you might actually start looking forward to exercising!