Stair Climbing...cardio or strength?

Turtle003

I have been climbing the 12 flights of stairs 2 at a time at work for 30 minutes. I wear my HRM and burn around 250 cals a session. Would you consider this a strength training session for the legs or a cardio session? I usually fit this in about 10am when I need to get away from my desk...and then still do my 45-60 minute run later in the day.
Thanks!

JoRocka

cardio

sofaking6

cardio

snowflake930

Cardio

glevinso

Definitely cardio. If it wasn't all those riders in the Tour de France who's specialty is climbing would have massive legs, and well, they don't

Azdak

There is more of a "strength" component to walking up stairs than walking level on a treadmill, for example. A beginner starting stair climbing will experience an increase in leg muscle strength, but that is just part of the initial adaptation to the activity. It is not the same as strength training.

AllanMisner

Are you wearing a weight vest or carrying dumbbells? Otherwise, cardio.

foursirius

This would be a cardio workout. I do love stairs!