I’m becoming somewhat of a Stairmaster girly.
Many of you may have your own wellness lifestyle, like being a tennis girly, a pilates mom, a golf babe, and whatever of such. But lately, I’ve found myself on the stairway to heaven, metaphorically and literally, by making it a daily must to start all my workouts with at least twenty consecutive minutes of stair-climbing.
It all started earlier this year in Kyoto, Japan, climbing the Fushimi Inari Taisha in flip-flops, a maxi dress, and, for my partner, khakis and a dress shirt. In no way did we anticipate climbing three-quarters up the mountain, nor did we expect the shaking legs to make us look like Bambi on the way down.
But memories, we made. And it soon became my goal to train for the next climb up the thousand Torii gates.
When the clerk enrolling us for our gym membership asked us our specific fitness goals, I told him this very story—I want to get really good at the Stairmaster so I could simulate (and build confidence for) the next time we climb that Kyoto mountain. I mean, if the Fushimi Inari cat can climb those sacred grounds every day, so too can I.
That was three months ago. And here I find myself thoroughly enjoying the daily challenge of climbing those stairs.
At first, I suffered at a level three, stopping every ten minutes for a two-minute gulp of water that my tightening throat could barely handle. But today, I am utterly passionate about sharing my Level 6 milestones with my family group chat.
I’ll put in my headphones, play specifically two rounds of Yeshua Live, totalling 22 minutes, and climb as the drums intensify. Something about Gospel music empowers me as much as it takes my mind off the burning sensation in my legs… and lungs. I mean, Jesus, right? How could I not muster up the strength to keep climbing when ‘Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the power, Yours is the glory forever, Amen” comes on. It’s like praying and rocking out simultaneously. And it’s not necessarily the song itself, but the voices of an entire Live audience that inspire me to take my hands off the rails and praise God with a palms-up posture. (And posture… is everything!)
Maybe I’m inspiring the other ladies in the women’s section—maybe they think I’m a lunatic. Either way, Glory be to God in the Highest… for getting me through those twenty minutes!
Progressing on the Stairmaster feels very different than training on, let’s say, the treadmill. I do indeed love running and can do me a mean 8-MPH sprint with the right podcast on. But aging (gracefully) has taught me what my limits are, and sprinting more than twice a week meets that fine line (in my knee caps.)
Speaking of aging gracefully, I heard somewhere that they compared the Stairmaster to gua-sha for the body! At first, I laughed, imagining myself using a jade tool mid-climb, but then I looked into it—and it makes so much sense! If we can uphold our self-care routines religiously, can’t we also treat our fitness regimen with as much devotion?
If you’ve ever done a Gua Sha facial routine, you know it’s all about promoting circulation and draining toxins through the lymphatic system. To me, it’s all about the perfect facial oils and putting on a good episode of Drop Dead Diva or Ugly Betty as I smoothen every angle and crevice of my face. In Gua-sha, the gentle scraping motions encourage lymphatic flow, reducing puffiness and leaving you glowing. But, the StairMaster? It achieves a similar effect but from the inside out.
When you climb, you’re kind of chiselling your body… except with sweat instead of luxurious oils. You’re toning your legs, helping your body flush out toxins, reducing inflammation, and boosting your girly wellness vibes. (It’s all about the ‘vibes.’)
Of course, I had to fact-check this glorious statement after the reel that put me on. But to my surprise, studies did prove that the Stairmaster burns more calories per minute than jogging or walking, like ‘up to 11 calories per minute’ proof! It also triggers an “afterburn” effect, meaning your body keeps torching calories long after you’ve stepped off. And, not only does stair climbing shred fat, it also builds lean muscle in your legs, glutes, and core… helloooo, booty!
So here I am, fully embracing my Stairmaster era, with legs that feel stronger and a spirit that's even more so.
Maybe it’s the Gospel music, or maybe it’s the thought of those thousand Torii gates waiting for me again in Kyoto. But every climb feels like a prayer in motion. It’s not just about toning muscles or burning calories (though I’m not mad about the results); it’s about showing up for myself, for my wellness, and for the goals I once only dreamed of reaching.
And if this little routine inspires someone else to climb—whether literal stairs, metaphorical challenges, or their own mountain—then Glory be to God for that, too.
If you’re on your own climb, whatever that may look like, keep going. Because the view, both inside and out, is… and always will be worth it.
The “Stairway to Heaven” Routine
Duration: 22 minutes
Intensity: Level 6 (work up from Level 3, girlie)
Frequency: Daily (or as your knees allow—aging gracefully, remember?)
Essentials:
Gospel playlist (Start with two rounds of Yeshua Live)
Wireless headphones
A palms-up posture (for praise and poise!)
Water bottle (that you’ll ignore for dramatic effect until minute 10)
A vision in mind (like your own mountain to climb)
Bonus Tips:
Keep your hands off the rails. Engage that core.
Imagine you’re sculpting your body from the inside out—like gua sha, but make it cardio.
Whisper a little prayer or affirmation as you ascend.
Don’t be afraid to look like a lunatic. Heaven’s watching, not the girl beside you.
Xx
Sarah Elle
