Here’s a Fun Way to be Active
February 1st, 2011 
PhitZone Being active is fun, tell your friends
Take a step on the keys to make music
I received an email the other day from a friend that contained a video. The premise of the video is that when given the choice, people will stand in line to take an escalator. Even though right next to it is an empty stairway.
With some sensors, stair covers, software and speakers, some very smart techies transform the stairs into a piano keyboard. Step on a stair, and play a note.
The results, while not surprising, were pretty astonishing. People began avoiding the escalator, and hoofing it up the stairs.
Watching the people jumping on the different keys reminded me of the movie “Big”. Tom Hanks and Robert Loggia playing “Chopsticks“ and “Heart and Soul” on the giant piano at FAO Schwartz is a classic.
Life is full of choices. You don’t need to make music when you walk. Just walk.
Look, you’re not going to shed a ton of weight by parking further away at the mall, or taking the stairs. But every little thing that you can do adds up.
As you do this more and more, you’ll find your own ways to make it fun. I like to race the elevator. It makes me feel good to beat the people on there, but I like to think that maybe they’ll follow my lead.
Take the opportunity to park a little further away. The additional walking will do you good. Take those stairs when you go to that doctor’s appointment.
Are you a stair climber, or an escalator rider?
(Right under this video, there is a “Like” button. Go right now, before you forget, and click that little button. Go ahead… I’ll wait… Thank you-you rock!)
Photo: Takis Kolokotronis
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14 Responses to “Here’s a Fun Way to be Active”
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February 1, 2011 at 9:26 am
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Todd Boyer and Project Swole, Top Sites Fitness. Top Sites Fitness said: Here’s a Fun Way to be Active: Tickle the ivories to get in shape. http://bit.ly/ejt1Su […]
February 1, 2011 at 10:11 am
Crud, for some reason, the video isn’t showing. I’ll try to find another version and get it added. Sorry folks.
February 1, 2011 at 1:19 pm
I’m petrified of escalators so I always take the stairs
February 1, 2011 at 1:53 pm
I’d also like to add that I had a manic spell the other day and I was at my ex’s and I started rocking some sweet karate moves but didn’t see him coming down the stairs and he’s lucky he can move fast because he almost got a kick to the jaw. That was fun!
February 1, 2011 at 2:48 pm
One way or another, fear motivates us all.
Don’t be kicking the ex. The po-po will end up there, and you don’t need that.
February 3, 2011 at 10:08 pm
I usually choose stairs over elevators, but I just can’t fight off the appeal of an escalator. Stairs that move on their own… what will they think of next?
For anyone who wants to get in serious shape, find 3 stories worth of stairs and run stair sprints for time, for 20 minutes, 3 mornings a week. 6 pack abs will ensue.
February 4, 2011 at 8:29 am
Steve, I’ll take the stairs vs. the escalator, but the moving walkway at the airport-I’m drawn to those.
February 4, 2011 at 8:40 am
I try to take the stairs when I can.
Rick Kaselj of http://ExercisesForInjuries.com
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February 4, 2011 at 9:45 am
Hey Todd, I saw this floating around facebook not too long ago. I thought it was amazing. And you are correct – life is full of choices. Every minute of every day you make a choice to either be healthy or to be unwell, and even choices somewhere in between. Thanks for that great reminder!
February 4, 2011 at 2:20 pm
That made me smile.
Thanks for sharing!
I can go either way on escalators, but those moving sidewalks are SO addicting. I love running down them at full speed!
Hey Steve thanks for the tip. I work on the top floor of a 12 story building, so I may just give it a try. They just put a gym downstairs too, so thankfully I’ll have a place to shower afterward.
A fit life is a fun life!
-Matt
February 5, 2011 at 8:57 pm
When I travel with my boss, airports are a drag because he loves to stand on the moving sidewalks, rather than hoofing it. After sitting on a plane for a few hours, the last thing I want to do is stand on a moving sidewalk…
February 7, 2011 at 7:01 am
I love walking in the airports too after a long flight, but when I have to change planes and I see I get on a moving sidewalk and continue walking, it’s like moving at the speed of sound.
February 8, 2011 at 9:54 am
I’ve seen that video, and it always makes me smile for some reason. I’m a reformed escalator rider. I always take the stairs now, including the moving sidewalk at the airport.
February 8, 2011 at 10:45 am
Good job, Anne. That’s pretty awesome that you’re avoiding the “easy” way.