Ideas to Encourage Stair Use

• Involve Senior Management- ie. meet the CEO on the stairway
• Involve Property Managers
• Set-up a Stairway to Health Committee to guide the initiative and encourage participation- engage different kinds of champions and champion networks within the workplace to promote stair use as the norm not the exception
• Prompt individuals to take the stairs- Use point of choice signage (eg. 'take the stairs' signs beside elevators); have security guards/information kiosks point people to the stairs as an option; develop permanent signage indicating where the stairs are located
• Incorporate Stairway to Health Interactive Tools into your programming - encourage stair use by having individuals or groups virtually climb mountains and towers
• Increase the attractiveness of the Stairway
• Offer incentives -prizes, recognition, awards to those who participate
• Organize events to launch the program, maintain participation or encourage on-going use
• Market stair climbing as a way to burn calories, improve health and increase the level of physical activity
• Involve external experts- provide presentations (eg. fire marshall to give presentation on not locking doors, health practitioner to give presentation on the health benefits, etc.)
• Address safety concerns- injury prevention, lighting, etc.

Developed in partnership by:


Canadian Council for Health and Active Living at Work

Go Smoke Free!

Business Case For Active Living At Work

Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating

Physical Activity Guide