Stair Climbing In St. George Offers Surprising Health Perks

"You should do stairs," that was the advice that I got from a trainer when I complained that my knees were acting up when I run.

Climbing Gracefully: Why Stairs Like SG Utah’s Dragon Tail Are a Gift to Older Athletes

In a town where pickleball reigns and 70 is the new 40, it’s fitting that St. George, Utah — land of red rock and retirees who out-hike their grandkids — would install a staircase shaped like a dragon’s tail. Not just for flair, but for function. Because when it comes to aging actively, stairs aren’t the enemy — they’re the secret weapon.

Stairs vs. Joints: The Surprising Science

Contrary to popular belief, stairs can be easier on your knees than flat walking — especially when ascending. Going up engages your glutes and hamstrings, reducing pressure on the patella (kneecap). It’s like your body’s built-in suspension system finally gets to do its job.

- Uphill = muscle activation, not joint compression
- Downhill = a chance to train balance and eccentric control
- Short bursts = cardio without the pounding

For older athletes, stairs offer a low-impact way to maintain strength, coordination, and confidence — all without needing a gym membership or a personal trainer named Chad.

Next Level Stairs

If you really want to take it to the next level, you could try the Manitou Incline in Colorado. We can do 333 stairs in a climb; this one offers 2,768 steps. Not enough? Well, if you hike it more than 500 times in a year you can be included in the 500 Incline club. Or if you are competitive like my gym buddy who discovered the power of stairs you can go to Switzerland for the Niessen Stairway Run for a timed 11,674 steps run. Yeah, he really went for the stairs.