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Santa Monica Stairs
Rating Details »
Categories: Local Flavor, Active Life [Edit]
Neighborhood: Santa Monica4th Street & Adelaide Drive
Santa Monica, CA 90402
- Good for Kids:
- No
99 reviews for Santa Monica Stairs
I live about 2 blocks away from this place. There's nothing like living near a set of steps to get you in some INSANE cardio shape. I generally go on weekday afternoons - the crowds can be a bit trying, but generally not unbearable. My first time I went here I could barely run 6 sets...have almost doubled that in a couple of weeks.
A word, though - DO NOT run/walk these steps as if you are the fastest person on here, unless you REALLY are. Yeah, that means - get out the way!! It's basic courtesy to let faster people go by, whether while headed up or headed down!!
I have mixed feelings about the Santa Monica Stairs. My BFF and her bf had told me early on that they intended to go to the 'stairs' to exercise while I was visiting. I told them I wasn't opposed to the idea since I'll get to yelp about it. However, my deal was this -- no forcing me to do more than what my body can handle and no laughing!!! I mean c'mon, I'm not athletic at all, but I am not opposed to exercise. I just won't push myself to the point where I'll throw up and pass out!
So we get there and it's the weekend and naturally there are a lot of people there. These were hardcore people! Some were like froggy jumping up the stairs 3 steps at a time, some were going down backwards 2 steps at a time, some were just traipsing up and down like it was nothing. So here I am, going down like an old lady -- I have a bad knee and going down hurts a lot more than going up -- but the first time down was okay. I took a short break -- about a minute -- and then went up. I did the first section and the middle section and then had to catchy breath. SHIT! Three times a week at the gym never prepared me for this! I rested a few minutes, stretched out my bad knee and then proceeded up the last segment..... and here was where the bad news began......
This stretch is the longest and I made the mistake of going up and then looking up -- DON'T DO THAT! You will see a never ending flight of steps and all of a sudden, my body told me 'you can't do it lame-ass, there are too many steps ahead'. I continued up and felt myself getting losing my breath and of course stupid me, I looked up again!!!
By the time I got to the top I had to drink my water and rested about 3 mins and then I tried to go down. OMG, my knees were like jello. WTF! I i do a lot of cardio at the gym, mind you, not stairs because of my bad knee, but OMFG, I couldn't go down the freaking stairs! I made it 3 steps down and then I headed up again and continued stretching my knees until I was ready to head down.
Second time down was more excruciating than the first. My knee was seriously hurting. I then made my way back up this time making sure to keep my eyes fixated on the step ahead and NOT look up! It really made a difference. So I made it up and down twice! That's it. My BFF and her bf did it 9x. Fuck me! Fuck them! Maybe next time I might attempt it 3x but only if someone drives me down so I can walk up!
I enjoy doing the steps every once in a while, but think it's a little silly to try and make it one's only source of exercise. A 45 minute jog is just as good (if not better) than 45 minutes at the steps, and will have you brushing up against fewer sweaty people.
All that said, it's a nice change of pace from the San Vicente median, and the eye blasting is fantastic. I like to call in Runyon Canyon West. Anyway, give it a shot, and just realize it may be crowded, and there's a lot of uptight NIMBYism in the neighborhood--so stay off their front lawns.
The stairs are fascinating.
I live about 100 yds away and find the stairs extremely amusing. One morning I came to the stairs and this elderly woman with a std. poodle on her cell phone went before me. (visualize dog, cell phone and by the way, it was a weekend!). I waited about 5 minutes and then started the trek down. She was stopped on one of the landing arguing about her flight reservation and blocking both the up/down traffic. Here husband bolted down ahead of her, which made sense as I wouldn't want to be seen with this.
There came a guy running up the stairs backwards and I thought I'd get to witness a big stairs mess, but he turned around just in time to halt until her rez agent rebooked her.
There's no way I'd actually drive here and deal with the SaMo parking Nazis, though. The person who described the stairs as a "Scene" is accurate. But, what's not a "Scene"? The Farmer's Market? The Grove? Montana St? The Promenade?
If I ever had a big fire, I wouldn't bother dialing 911. The SaMo fire dept loves the stairs, as do thousands of others on a daily basis. I'd just run out and yell "FIRE" and the stairs would clear for a few seconds. And yes, it's true the stairs are really 24/7 which makes you wonder what else these folks do.
Personally, I only like going down the stairs. Ok, this is weird. Obviously, there's no escalator or elevator, so the scenic jog back up is taking Entrada to 7th. I really wish they'd put a decent jogging trail along this stretch, though.
So as long as I'm discussing re-architecting, how about re-building the stairs for normal size feet? I wear a men's size 11 and my feet are longer than the stairs. Having come from Seattle where there are tons of stairs, I wonder why Santa Monica couldn't/didn't correct this.
The positives out-way the negatives and for now, this is free entertainment while working out.
Markus approved. Free, hot chicks and great workout. No dogs at least big ones.
The Santa Monica Stairs are justifiably an LA-area landmark for fitness mavens and for single-and-looking types who aren't willing to wait for luck to find them.
Be aware that for those who want less intensity, more quiet, and more greenery, there are a number of beautiful outdoor staircases found in the lower Rustic Canyon neighborhood, just a few blocks away from the SM Stairs. On one particular day, I found five enjoyable staircases within about a half-mile radius without even trying all that hard.
I've written several articles about unique travel sites around the Los Angeles area. See my article about the (almost hidden) public staircases of Rustic Canyon here: http://www.examiner.co...
*** the Stairs are awight but there are a few notable drawbacks. ***
who doesn't wanna wake up their quads and calves from time to time?
i love to cross-train when possible ... too much of one thing ain't good.
so if i'm not running like Forrest Gump, i'll do the Stairs or Sand Dune.
i like the Stairs but they hurt in the wrong places ... knee and head.
cement and wood is not forgiving. the pounding can wear on knees.
i also get a headache on weekends when i cannot find a parking spot,
or when it's so crowded that people bump into me while going up/down.
i hate that. it disrupts the rhythm. or how about when you got your flow
going, and you run into a slow group of people ahead of you? urgh!
so now i only do the Stairs mid-day during the week, or not at all.
*** Sand Dune Park is now my "goto" place. sand is low impact. ***
Keep in mind the majority of my reviews are of restaurants & bars. This review will have a direct correlation to that fact.
I don't like working out. I abhor it. But at the same time I don't.
I feel good after I work out, I feel like being productive and all that good stuff. But, I hate the moments prior to working out; sitting at home watching TV not wanting to make my body move faster than its comfortable moving. I also hate stretching. When I stretch, it's like telling everyone around me "I'm about to bust my ass! That's why I'm stretchin'! I don't want to pull something, which I'll be completely vulnerable to at the rate I'll be going." I'm not, whatever.
My friend picked me up and took me to these stairs I had heard so much about. I look at the stairs and they're about as daunting as I expected; I'm neither overwhelmed or underwhelmed. So here I sit...whelmed. My friend is a regular and tells me that she usually jogs down to the other set of stairs, runs down those, runs back to the other stairs and runs up them; she repeats this 4-5 times. I glare at her.
There's a good number of people at the stairs that look like they do things like the stairs a lot. I guess that's to be expected, but there's also people that look as though they'll die somewhere on the stairs; so at least its not that intimidating.
Needless to say, there is a lot of talent here. But, I'm not about to strike up a conversation with a cutie in a sports bra as I sweat through every inch of my lumpy t-shirt as dudes with Spartan Army abs are lapping about. I suppose that's not so much the fault of the epic set of staircases but yeah.
I couldn't think of prettier scenery to keel over and die in. I'm certain that the sky is most oft a brilliant shade of blue, which is great because that would be the only thing I could stare at as the paramedics lift me up on the gurney and load me into the ambulance. There's a neat little grassy area where people do sit-ups, push-ups, stretches, stare at other hot people and avoid moving.
I'm glad I didn't drive here as my legs felt not so much sore but more mooshy and jello-y, as though I had no bones or muscles in my legs...which is almost true. But, had I driven I would have surely driven 10-15mph or rear ended someone for failure to break or both as I would not have been able to apply the pressure needed to either pedal to travel safely. I'm certain of this as my one of my legs started to shake violently during the rigorous activity of standing.
My 3 star rating stems not so much from my reaction to how good or bad the stairs were or whether they lived up to a level of hype. But more of an average between 1 and 5. 1 because I hate working out and moving around and all that. 5 because it kicked my ass, which may not be speaking volumes...but it's good enough for me.
I'll probably be back to reenter this whole fitness pursuit.
I'm going to go have some beer.
It's only 170 steps to the top, but when you're at the bottom staring up at the looming slope, it looks like a thousand-yard stair (insert rimshot). It's certainly grueling to do it more than once. I try to do them modulo 3, which is 540 stairs per chunk. I've done it 9 times in a row, which is impressive to perhaps no one but myself, but hey, that's 1500 steps. There are people who come here and do more than twice that. You can run, walk, jump or carry someone on your shoulders. I've even seen people do these stairs on their hands. It beats the pants off a stuffy gym.
A SCENE - that's what the stairs are...a sweaty, annoying, meat-market, L.A. SCENE (I'm a local, so it takes one to know one). God help the poor neighbors who have to endure THE SCENE in their backyard 24/7.
Try some nature and take a hike instead.
BTW, don't actually ever try using the stairs as STAIRS, because you'll be showered in frothy sweat by all the actor/actress wannabes racing up and down the battered planks like zombies with their entourage of trainers. It's actually a good place to bring tourists for a good laugh. LA-LA doesn't get any more cliche than this.
Surprisingly, I ran into a buddy while doing the Santa Monica stairs. Each of us sweated up a storm climbing up and down the stairs.
It wasn't too crowded - given the fact that it was mid-day/mid week.
Friend gave more to the workout by doing sit ups and push ups after each round of stairs. I just continued going round and round.
I do the wooden stairs because it seems easier on the knees/ankles. Perhaps this is just something that the mind tricks the body.
It's a great workout.
Parking was ok~ It's a free and interesting alternative to going to the gym.
My legs still hurt quite a bit. I'm still feeling it 2 days later. They should really just call it the S&M stairs.
The SM stairs and I, we have a love/hate relationship.
We've been frienamies (friend/enemy) for over a decade.
I do 6-8 sets. Start with 3 on the cement (those are ALWAYS the hardest), then 2 on the wooden, then finish up with 1 or 3 more at the cement. Slow and steady...breathing with each step. Those poor folks stomping up those stairs huffing and puffing...if they only knew how much easier and more enjoyable this workout could be if they would just relllllax, breathe, and take their time.
The reason for this Yelp! today is due to an unfortunately situation that keeps repeating itself at the SM and I am not certain how to rectify it. Help Yelppers, Help!
Old-man-tea-bag has decided that the stairs are now his new workout. He does one set then decides to stand at the top of the stairs in is short, shorts and stretch. Stretch high, stretch back, stretch so that anyone who is ascending the stairs has the discomfort of being face to ...errrr... bags...Old man tea bags...barf! One day I told him he should stretch elsewhere. One day I wanted to kick him in the tea bags (but didn't). Funny how barney fife (sm police...who are scoping out illegal training sessions...which occurred to me is a strange use of city funds) is not stopping ol tea bag in his tracks for indecent exposure.
Buuuut after living in this neck of the woods for over 15 yrs one learns how to avoid folks like OMTBs...So I traverse between stairs (cement/wooden) to avoid him.
The stairs ARE a beautiful workout. Being outdoors is awesome too. Coupled with a session or two of yoga per week or some elliptical/treadmill, your legs and backside will be rockin' in no time!
The stairs are a great alternative to cardio in the gym. The view is amazing and there are two options - the cement stairs, or the wooden ones.
Since I have a reconstructed knee, I choose the wooden stairs, because they have a little more give.
The downside to the stairs is overcrowding on the weekends, and parking is becoming more difficult.
Nestled in one of Santa Monica's most exclusive and posh enclaves lies a deep, dark secret...The Santa Monica Stairs. What is it you ask? Well, my naive friend, it's merely torture disguised as exercise. If Dante's Inferno had a Stairmaster, this would be it.
I was dragged kicking and screaming to experience the Santa Monica Stairs by my good friend Ivy K. Yes, she's still a good friend, great in fact, and in much better shape than I. She was nothing but encouraging as I stared down the steps in despair, eyeing all the sweaty, cute-workout-gear bedecked Los Angelenos who powered up the stairs with great determination. Yes, I caught glimpses of anguish as well, but mostly just steely resolve. FIERCE!
So going down the steps was OK. As a first-timer, I was making my way down pretty gingerly, but it was going back up that was the tough part. By the second go-around, I was panting heavily. So.not.attractive. There's nothing worse to make you feel like an out-of-shape slob when ladies old enough to be your grandma are passing you on the left. And even more demoralizing were the buff athlete-actor types who were doing lunges on the steps (two at a time, natch). And I kid you not--there was even a German film crew shooting scenes for what I assume was some sort of sadistic reality show where the contestants had to charge up and down the steps while a trainer cheered them on. They also did leaning push-ups on the guardrails in between runs.
Needless to say, I was completely wiped out and begging for sweet mercy by the time I dragged myself up and down the stairs on round three. While I was of course dying of thirst, it was of no consolation that it's common practice to leave your water bottle in a cluster of bushes along with everyone else's and trust that no one is going to tamper with it and slip you a roofie. Seriously, am I the only one who questions the safety of this practice!?
I am tempted to give the stairs one star, but I secretly admire the fit Los Angelenos who manage to power up and down the "tower of terror" like champions for their daily workout. And then they drive off into the sunset in their Range Rovers and Escalades. Ahhh...the charm of L.A. urban culture.
Running up and down steep-ass concrete and wood stairs = good way to kill yourself. I know people love those stairs, and I admit you feel a good burn after going up and down a couple times. But the 2 times I have been there (I didn't grow up on the Westside), all I could picture was me slipping on that slick wood and rolling like a little hapa-ball all the way to the bottom. The steps seem really steep to me, but maybe that's b/c I have short little legs. It's also annoyingly crowded. And it seems like no matter what, you either get stuck behind the arthritic, slowpoke grandpa, or in front of the crazed, scantily-clad speed demon. Give me my own low-impact elliptical or even just plain running any day!
Stomp stomp stomp. huff huff huff.
Step step step. Heeve-ho. Heeve-ho.
After a few times going up and down this monstrosity of a stair case, your ass will hurt, your lungs will burn, and you will have lost some weight in water.
Are there better alternatives than the Santa Monica stairs for pure butt ache inducing humiliation? Sure. But the scenery is nice, and the sheer experience of doing something that "ought to be done, at least once", is fun!
I don't have a gym membership because I loathe the thought of stationary workouts indoors. I try to get creative with my workouts, and about a year ago I decided to try the steps out after reading some very helpful reviews right here on Yelp.
All of the reviews of people describing how they could not walk properly after the first time they did the stairs proved to be the same story for me. It was painful, but after some consistency, I was able to get the hang of it. I'm not a workout buff, and am broke, so its easy to watch what trainers are telling their trainees to do, and follow suit. I sometimes find myself identifying someone that knows what they're doing, and ever so stealthy following their routine.
If you're like me, I'm not the most athletic person, so I do as little as possible to "be in shape." I like to start with the wooden steps from the bottom at a normal "walk up a flight of stairs" pace, then back down, and up again. Once at the top, I jog to the cement steps and walk down, but on the way up, I skip a step and hold the lunge, then repeat again. I then jog back to the wooden steps, and finish off with a trip down, then back up, and down again (where I usually leave my car). In total, I walk up the steps 5 times. That's a good enough workout for me. I always end up sweating up a storm in about 30 minutes, longer if its a weekend day when the steps are packed. I strongly suggest leaving a water bottle at the TOP of the steps because that's when you're usually begging for mercy.
I always start and end my workout with healthy stretches (usually copying a neighbor doing the same), squeezing in stretches in between to avoid any possible soreness. I did this routine with a girlfriend of mine recently for her first time, and she loved it! She also wasn't very sore the next day too!
Yep, I lika da stairs.
I workout almost everyday, so I get really burnt out going to the gym all the time. That being said, the stairs are a nice gym alternative. Here is a list of reasons why I like them:
1.) They're challenging.
2.) You get the benefit of being outside, which includes beautiful ocean views.
3.) There are people there, suffering along with you.
4.) It's easy to park (at least on the weekends and early morning weekdays, which is when I typically go)
5.) If you want to go for a run, you can run down the San Vicente median straight to Palisades Park.
6.) The neighborhood is filled with awesome houses, which gives me motivation.
The only drawback is that there can sometimes be too many people. It really doesn't bother me very much, but I can see how it could be a turn-off to some.
Have you ever wanted to Climb Mt Everest but couldn't bring yourself to do it? Try the next best thing and come to the Santa Monica Stairs. This place isn't for everyone. I was helping this girl train for a boxing match and thought this would be a good place. She took off sprinting at the bottom, and I thought, great, she's going to show me up. But steady wins the race, she lost her stamina halfway up. So, nothing against girls, but don't try to sprint the entire thing.
Start at the bottom and you'll feel like you're wrestling a bear, and hopefully you end up unscathed at the top. The Santa Monica stairs are one of the best outdoor training places out here. They are tough, so don't be alarmed if someone passing you flings sweat on you, they're struggling too. You never know, celebs and professional athletes use the stairs too. So give it a try and huff and puff your way up them so you can say you did.
I once ran up and down the Santa Monica stairs 10 times in a row without stopping.
I couldn't walk for a week.
Ok, keep in mind that I'm not in the best shape. but when I say I thought I was gonna die half way up those steps I'm not kidding!
I've been intimidated by the stairs because I've always had this image of all these fit people being annoyed because they have to wait for me to haul my phat ass up the steps. I'm pleased to say that I didn't feel rushed and everyone was very polite an accommodating.
The wood stairs are easier to handle than the concrete ones. Also, they are very narrow so there's not a lot of room for people to get by.
Take some water, stretch and hit it!
Horrifying. Stairs don't exist in nature people. Go hiking or something instead of practically doing the train on me while breathing Darth Vaderish in my ear in your haste to get up the stairs then go back down then go back up etc. etc. If you weren't a shortcut to Brentwood, I wouldn't use you.
I don't get it but to each his own. The silent suffering of so many in such a public way is impressive though, I will give you that.
I expected everyone to be hot, blonde, and fit. There were people of all colors, shapes, and ages (7 years old - I know the exact age because his dad was screaming at him, "I'm not going to carry you up! You're seven years old!" to about 65.)
I dislike cardio more than I dislike that I'm a size medium in my hometown and an extra large out here. But, I'd come do the stairs again. Because some of the crunchy folks out here don't use deodorant and nothing pushes you to the top more than running from the dude behind you who smells really badly.
I live steps from "the stairs". It seems populated with good looking people, athletes and toolboxes. And by toolbox, I mean people that wash their black, gas guzzling truck twice a day and think Duane "The Rock" Johnson has a really cool personality. These are the types that thought about getting "No Fear" tattoos in the 90's but never got around to it.
I just love the fellas that wait for a female to approach so they can jump up to a utility pole and do chin ups as she walks under him. Real class.
The stairs had my curiosity peaked, and today I finally caved and went to check it out. There are two sets of stairs, the metal set at 4th and Adelaide and the wooden set about 500 feet up the street (eastward). I fancied the wooden stairs, which are slightly easier on the joints and deeper in dimension (the shorter metal stairs are a tad harder to run down without some concentration).
My first upwards set was inspiring; it was a fairly easy run up the entire stairway, two steps-at-a-time. Then the fun began. A few more sets thoroughly exhausted my leg and butt muscles, and after five or six sets, I was ready to go home and not do anything for the rest of the day.
Instead, I went to the Promenade and walked around like a fool.
All in all a great leg workout I intend on working into my exercise regimen. Happy exercising!
One thing you will get here is a lot of BA-DONKA-DONK-DONK DONKA-DONKA-DONK-DONK all up in your grill. Sometimes nice but that's not always a good thing.
My favorite are the people who park their luxury or semi-luxury rides at the top, and alternate visiting the stairs and their car for random reasons, just so you can associate them with their vehicles.
Not sure why people think RUNNING up the stairs is so challenging - it's really not. What is pretty challenging is going up the stairs...SLOWLY and DELIBERATELY, and being attuned to good stair-climbing form. Raise your knees to your chest as you climb. Keep the elbows at 90-degree angles and sling them straight back. You might see the more advanced people do crazy stuff - squats - lunges - holding pauses - kicks - donkey punches - some people...
make me jealous
Once you're done, walk (jog?) down Adelaide towards the beach - you'll hit Palisades Park for a gorgeous cool-down, overlooking the coastline!
Tip: Try going up the stairs sideways (i.e., perpendicularly) for a great agility work-out that targets inner / outer thighs.
love to hate 'em!
trying to work up to doing it 2x/week
so far once a week
5x (just restarting), up cement, jog down wooden, then run to the cement rest and repeat, WOOT!!!!!
...wanna work up to a weight vest, oh yay!
I arrived at 2:30pm on a Saturday in mid-December. I witnessed several panting and sweaty individuals hunched over looking like they were ready to hurl. I said to myself: "what a bunch of pussies."
I run about 4 miles a day. I easily do 10 climbs, non-stop at Sand Dune Park every week. I can take a set of stairs -- I am just that good.
I descended the cold, dark, narrow stairway to the bottom and decided I could easily run 10 stairs and call it a day. I have never been so wrong in my life.
I ran the first set and by the time I reached the top my thighs felt like they were in atrophy. These stairs are so friggin' steep. They seem endless too, at least while you are climbing them. On my second trip down my paralyzed thighs caused me to lock my knees and nearly topple down on top of this ancient old woman with the worst face-lift in history, but I soldiered on and completed 10 climbs -- walking 8 out of 10 times. Jay-Z helped me to run up the final set (not literally Jay-Z, I am sure he has a trainer, his music helped me -- the song "Kingdom Come" to be exact).
I feel like a weak infant right now, but am totally satisfied by the experience and will be back to punish myself in the name of a good butt. These stairs will kick your ass, unless you are Kobe Bryant or something -- MVP Yeah!
Note: there are two sets of stairs about a block apart from one another. The concrete set is really narrow and I "accidentally" kicked a guy in the face who was following me too close. Another set of wooden stairs is wider and more easy to maneuver if it is crowded.
Also, this is in a neighborhood, which is very quite (and beautiful) close to Montana Ave. in Santa Monica so it is a very silent exercise experience.
The stairs are kinda hidden in the bushes, but when you see the panting, sweat-covered people gasping for air you know you have found the right place.
The stairs are a good part of my weekend cardio routine. Run from the pad to the Palisade down California, then run down the Palisade to the Stairs for 3 sets on the Concreters and 2 on the Wooders and then back. I couldn't imagine a more scenic way to feel good on a Saturday Morning. Only downside is that they can be a bit crowded and now you can't stretch on the island by the concreters.
"everybody knows that a healthy body makes a healthy mind." - Mr. Apollo
SO RUNNNNNNNN!
this is a brilliant way to stay fit while surrounded by a quite atmospheric serene environment.
oh and don't forget to stretch.
the stairs will inevitably lead to:
fatigue fatigue fatigue fatigue fatigue
The Beautiful People Ranking:11/10
hotties in spandex sweating and shizzle, soooo LA
With the help and encouragement from my good friend Krista I have been faithfully doing the stairs of late. My butt thanks the stairs for the lift,..I think that's all I need to say..
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/19/2009
If you enjoy a good ass- kicking this is a perfect way to indulge yourself while people watchin at… Read more »
I was a regular gym rat for years then when I discovered these stairs, the membership was quickly cancelled. Yes, it's not for everyone and yes, it does get a little crowded, but it does offer a great cardio/leg workout and it's 10x more fun than smelling gym sweat and staring at a TV while running on a conveyor belt like a hamster. I'm there 2-3 times a week and normally start at Ocean and California. I'll run a few miles down Ocean and then hit the stairs. There's 2 sets, the cement ones and the wooden ones. The cement set is a bit steeper so I'll usually go up the wooden ones and down the cement ones, doing loops, skipping every other step. I'd advise not running them because you'll probably poop out half way up. The view is awesome and the best part is that it's......freeee :)
We need to fight to not let the steps get closed down!
http://surfsantamonica...
After being in LA since 2002, I finally decided to give the SM stairs a shot. And by shot, I mean twice up and down the wooden stairs and once up and down the concrete stairs.
I almost died.
And by almost died, I mean almost-fell-down-the-stairs-in-misery-and-exhausti on-drenched-in-sweat-with-blurry-visions-of-blonde s-with-huge-fake-boobs-flashing-before-my-eyes-die d.
It was awesome. I'll be back.
I'm hooked. not quite a regular, but i do go often enough. usually on saturday mornings so i can hit up the farmer's market right after.
I've improved - just did 10 sets this weekend.
I'm still think of myself as slow - or a novice, but i keep a steady pace - and i'm not that slow... it's the hardcore athletic ones who sprint up or do 2 or even 3 steps at a time that make me feel like i'm such a wuss. but 10 sets with some jogging in between is nothing to sneeze at, right?
Someday.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/15/2007
i'm mixed on this one here... it's a love/hate relationship.
great workout... once i go down - i must… Read more »
Santa Monica Stares.
This place is a great place to people watch. You're sure to get your fill of the lame-ass trainers strolling around like roosters and wiping down their freshly waxed SUVs.
YAWN.
The stairs, on the other hand, are a crazy workout. Make sure you descend the wooden and climb the concrete. It's better for you knees. Also, bring a LOT of water. You will sweat like it's nobody's business.
Don't half step. Park on San Vicente above 7th St.
The Stairs kicked my ass! I did them for the first time on Tuesday, and 2 days later, I'm still sore. To rest my calves, I will be swearing off heals for the rest of the week! If you're doing them for the first time, do not do more than 5 times. I did 5, and I'm hurting. But, don't cheat yourself either, when I say 5 times, I don't mean just one way up or just one way down, I mean up and down! My legs were shaking after the 3rd round! Also, don't do the concrete stairs, do the wooden one instead. It's better for your knees.
To me "the stairs" was an out door gym. There were Pilates Balls, people stretching all along the side walk, water bottles and sweaters all lined up against the fence, a group of women who timed a 1 minute run in between each round of stairs and men who brought hand weights to lift in between each round of stairs! Also, don't come here with some old torn sweats. People are wearing makeup, with cute gym clothes! But, I should have expected it, because like all things LA, the Stairs are a scene!
This is one of the best places to get a free work out. Great neighborhood, nice weather and clean air. The wooden stairs are easier on the knees but seems to be a little more crowded than the concrete ones. I think the concrete ones are slightly narrower too.
If you have never done the stairs you need to give it a shot because it will work you hard. Make sure you bring liquids.
After you are done with the stairs you can hang out and people watch because there is quite an extensive group of people working out here. You have the extremely fit that will do 10+ set, the crazies that wear a 20 lb weight vest, the average joe, the average jane, celebs, the pervs that hang out on top staring at the women and the pick up artist.
Last but not least please take care of this area and stop leaving your trash all over the place. The Santa Monica Police has been patrolling the area very frequently due to complaints from the locals claiming of trash, parking and urinating problems.
The Santa Monica Stairs... aka Satan's Escalator --
This is a kick ass place to get an ass kicking workout but beware. I don't recommend trying The Stairs for the first time with basketball shoes on, shortly after a major nose surgery (thus breathing like a half-mongoloid,) and after work, thus dealing with the hustle and bustle of the 9-to-5ers working off their day of filing insurance claims. That's what I did, all of that, and somehow survived.
Like the Terminator says, "I'll be back." But next time I'll have a plan, and there's no telling that'll work because these things are tough. Luckily I'm strong like ox, or Governor.
_C$
This place cracks me up. As a personal trainer I find it hilarious watching people mindlessly walking up and down crowded stairs. Sure I'm glad to see people exercising, but the stairs are more for showing off your cut off shirt and sports bra then training their body. What's the worst is watching trainers take clients to the stairs, that's just lazy training. I'll give it 2 stars because they are a pretty decent workout but if you must do stairs there are other ones in the area that are completely empty. I could tell you where they are but then I'd have to kill you.
