Public transit: Part of a healthy lifestyle

Courons Mtl

According to studies of the travel patterns of Montrealers, choosing public transit has a positive impact on physical activity levels. Based on the routes taken by transit users, researchers were able to determine how many steps they took and how much time they spent walking for each trip. It was found that the average Montréal public transit user walks the equivalent of 2,000 metres a day. That’s about 30 minutes of walking, for an average of 2,900 steps.

When it comes to health and fitness, every step counts. Luckily, there are plenty of ways you can use the métro network to be more physically active. Feel like you’re up to the challenge? Read on!

 

Become a stair master

In public places like métro stations, people tend to walk at a steady pace. While that’s already good exercise, you can take it to the next level by climbing the stairs.

 

Going up!

 

The métro network is full of ups and downs. Taking the stairs instead of the escalators is a simple way to get your heart rate up. To maximize the benefits, try getting your steps in at the deepest stations in the network. They are:

Beaudry (Green line)
Climb the seven or eight steps up from the platform, then keep on climbing for another seven times eight steps. Now that’s a workout! Of course, you can also take the iconic moving walkway. Just keep walking the whole way up to get the blood pumping. Give it a try!

Charlevoix (Green line)
The staircase from the platform to street level has one flight of 17 steps and another of 13. Not bad at all!

Lucien-L’Allier (Orange line)
Truly the final boss of métro station stairs.

Take a deep breath, because this station starts with a flight of 15 steps, then another 8, followed by three flights of 16 steps, and—just when you thought it was over—another 15 and 8 steps. Now that’s a worthy opponent!

De l’Église (Green line)
The longest staircase at this station is made up of three flights with 21, 22 and 24 steps. It gives “step up” a whole new meaning!

 

Tackle these challenges and you’ll see just how active public transportation can be. Now, get climbing!

Published on 09/09/2024

CATEGORY Uncategorized

WRITTEN BY STM