By Amarpreet Grewal
Between June 13 and July 8, the CBR took part in the 4 week UBC Stairs Challenge. This faculty-wide challenge is a part of Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program run by UBC Human Resources, who aim to develop and promote healthy and sustainable workplaces. Across UBC departments, 460 people participated in the challenge this year – the biggest group yet!
The Pick Your Peak Stair Challenge was designed as a fun and inclusive way to encourage staff and faculty to exercise more. Climbing stairs comes with many benefits not only for the health but the environment as well. For example, stair climbing serves as a great way to boost cardiovascular health, build muscle and strengthen the core while burning 1.5 calories for every 10 steps. And it cuts carbon emissions: by avoiding elevator rides – you could save between 0.3 & 0.6Kg of CO2/day!
A total of 21 CBR members took part in the challenge. Despite losing 5 team members to the dangerous trails of the peaks, we have persisted and emerged strong climbing a total of 7500 flights of stairs. The highest “peak” was conquered by Katherine Serrano from Dr. Devine’s lab with 915 flights of stairs.
Along the way, we also stumbled across some prizes. We would like to congratulate Hannah Peck and Amarpreet Grewal for winning the participation prizes. Hannah received a 1-month unlimited pass to Moksha Yoga Vancouver and Amarpreet won a 1-month membership to Curves Womens Gym and Fitness Centre. Now, when the rest of the CBR is enjoying their well-deserved rest, Hannah and Amarpreet will have to continue their health-journeys working off their month-long memberships.
If you missed out this year, don’t worry – you can set it as your personal goal or participate next year! Here’s what some of the intense, driven stair climbers had to say:
“Climbing stairs has expanded my lung capacity” – Hana Kim
“I have been taking the stairs in the building since the Pick the Peak challenge last year! However, this year my numbers are nowhere near my goals, as I completely failed to hike throughout the challenge and now that it’s over I am hiking every weekend!”– Anna Sinova
“I took stairs but I didn’t participate in the challenge. Climbing stairs is such a great bonding time with my summer student, so I am still doing it.” – Erika Siren
Reminder: Lynn Valley Hike is on July 24 @ 10am! For more info, email amarpreet.grewal@ubc.ca