Step by step, says Council Leader, Allen Brett

Councillor Allen Brett, Leader of the Council

​Taking things step by step are wise words, but now they have taken on a more literal meaning with the launch of my latest campaign to get our staff out of the lifts and walking up the stairs.

Small A4 signs have appeared on the ground floor next to the lifts encouraging people to climb a flight of stairs as opposed to taking the lift.

As I’ve said before, a majority of us would prefer to take the lift over climbing stairs any day. They are obviously more convenient and faster, but taking the stairs positively impacts on your overall health.

There is a mass of information to back this up, for example:

• Climbing just eight flights of stairs a day lowers average early mortality by 33%.
• Climbing stairs burns more calories per minute than jogging.

That is why I’m hoping staff at Number One Riverside will take up the challenge and take to the stairs instead of the lift.

While most of us think of exercise as 'sport', the scientific evidence shows it is everyday activities like walking and stair climbing that are most closely associated with improved health. This is why stair climbing is recommended by doctors and health authorities worldwide.

Don’t take my word for it, challenge yourself to take the stairs for a week and notice the difference in the way your body feels - and of course take it step by step.

Councillor Allen Brett
Leader
Rochdale Borough Council