How to Tone the Butt With Stair Climbing

Stair climbing is an activity that burns as many calories as jogging. It is also one of the easiest ways to tone a butt that might not be as firm and tight as you want it to be.

Instructions

1. Locate a building or outdoor area where you will have a flight of stairs to climb. You can also do stair climbing in your home or apartment building on a flight with at least 30 stairs if you don't have access to other stairs.

2. Lace up your favorite walking or running shoes snugly and tuck the ends into your sneakers to avoid tripping.

3. Warm up with stretches to loosen up your leg and butt muscles and get them ready to tone. Jogging or taking a brisk walk to the location of the stairs also is a good way to prepare your legs and get your heart pumping.

4. Stand at the bottom of the stairs and flex and roll your ankles for a last-minute warm up. Straighten your spine, relax your shoulders and concentrate on maintaining good posture throughout the workout.

5. Jog up the flight of stairs. The pacing is important, as neither walking nor marching will achieve the same results. Concentrate on placing the whole surface of your foot on the step in a firm, but not jarring, motion. This will give your butt a real toning workout.

6. Run down the flight of stairs after you reach the top to keep the same intensity as while climbing.

7. Repeat the jog up and run down as many times as your fitness level will allow. Cool down with a brisk walk back to your home or a 5-minute walk around the house.

8. Try a variation of stair climbing by using a stair stepper in your gym. Although it is a less intensive workout, it is still a great way to tone your butt. Stand straight and don't use the handrails to support yourself. Simply rest your palms on them and remember to take full steps with your entire foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Lessen pressure on your ankles and other joints by choosing to climb stairs that are wooden instead of concrete or stone. However, climbing concrete stairs is still a lower impact exercise activity than walking or jogging on a concrete surface.

• Switch up your climbing by adding other butt-toning steps such as a a simple alternating criss-cross with your feet or adding butt clenches throughout.

• Before climbing, check the stairs for any tripping dangers such as loose carpeting or trash.