Stair Workouts Started

For the athlete who is looking for that extra competitive edge or for the person seeking a little variety in their workout program, Michael Branca “The King of Stairs” has the solution..... stairclimbing workouts every Sunday at 10:30.

Michael’s stairclimbing workouts were very popular last year, and they are back now every Sunday. These sessions are free and they are open to persons at all levels of conditioning.  People meet up at the Main Street cinema complex parking lot on Main Street in Manayunk at 10:30.  Then there is a warmup jog of one mile to the Jamestown Street steps in Manayunk. Michael has counted the number of steps there...107! Depending on conditioning level, athletes run a number of stair repeats, and then complete the workout with a jog back to the theater parking lot.

"Climbing stairs is a great way to train for all sports,"  Michael said.  "This really builds lung capacity as well as leg strength."

"But you have to respect the stairs.  You have to build up your fitness gradually on the stairs and not go too hard in the first few workouts."

With the Empire State  Stair Climb on February 6 and the  Mellon Bank Stair Climb in mid-February, this is now prime stair climbing season.  

Michael has had a lengthy career as a road and trail runner, but is now specializing in stair climbing.  He has competed in many Empire State Stair Climbs as well as  Mellon Bank stair climbs in Philadelphia.  His ultimate goal is to set an Empire State stair climb record in his age category.   

For more information contact Michael at michaelabranca@msn.com or Dan Gordon.

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