11 saved#4,905 of 6,224

National Take the Stairs Day

Step up to the challenge on National Take the Stairs Day! Today, ditch the elevator and give your heart a healthy dose of exercise.

Wednesday

January 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATESecond Wednesday in January

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYHealth

SUBCATEGORYFitness

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to challenge yourself and step up the game on National Take the Stairs Day, coming up on January 10th! This special day was created to encourage everyone to improve their health by adding a simple yet beneficial activity to their day - taking the stairs. Though it's not clear when or who started this healthy trend, it has picked up momentum globally, promoting cardiovascular health and fitness. So leave the elevators and escalators behind for a day and embrace the stairs to give your heart a healthy kick-start! Your journey to wellness just got one step closer. Embrace the climb and remember, every step counts!

TIMELINE

National Take the Stairs Day Timeline

Early Health Promotion

During the 1980s, health organizations began promoting physical activities like stair climbing as an easy way to improve cardiovascular health.

Popularity of Stair-Stepping

Stair-stepping exercises became popular in the fitness world leading to the invention of stair stepper machines in gyms.

Establishment of StepJockey

Establishment of StepJockey, a global health initiative promoting stair use over elevators for health and sustainability reasons.

Introduction of Competitive Events

Introduction of competitive stair-climbing marathons, further promoting taking the stairs as a popular and beneficial exercise.

Establishment of National Day

A day specifically marked to promote stair climbing, ‘National Take the Stairs Day’ is officially recognized and starts to be celebrated annually on January 10th.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Take the Stairs Day

Challenge your friends

Invite your friends to a friendly competition. Challenge them to a stairs race. It will not only provide good exercise but also make a fun activity and create memorable moments. Remember, it's not about who wins or loses, but about taking part.

TAKE

Take the scenic route

Instead of taking the stairs inside buildings, go outside and find staircases in parks or public areas. You might discover a new spot or enjoy a beautiful view along the way.

TURN

Turn it into a workout

Stair climbing can be a great cardio workout. Go up and down the stairs for several repetitions. Change your pace or add jumping steps in between for an intensified session.

MAKE

Make a step count goal

Set a target for how many stairs you want to climb throughout the day. Use a fitness tracker or app to keep track. It'll give you a sense of achievement when you reach or surpass your goal.

ADD

Add reading to the routine

Instead of music, try listening to an audiobook while taking the stairs. It can make the activity more engaging and you might find yourself taking the longer route just to finish a chapter.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Take the Stairs Day

It Encourages Camaraderie and Fun

National Take the Stairs Day can also be a day of friendly competition and group activity, as you challenge friends to stair races or set shared step goals. Plus, discovering new staircases in scenic locations adds an element of adventure and exploration to the day. It goes to show, exercise can be fun!

It's A Simple, Yet Effective Exercise

One perk of National Take the Stairs Day is that it encourages a form of exercise that is easy to add to our daily routine. Taking the stairs strengthens the leg muscles, improves cardiovascular fitness, and burns more calories per minute than jogging. It's a health-boosting activity that requires no gym membership or sports equipment.

It Promotes Heart Health

Taking the stairs is an easily accessible form of cardiovascular exercise that can help improve heart health. It gets your heart pumping and helps increase your body's ability to transport oxygen efficiently. This regular physical activity can lower your risk of heart disease.

Related holidays

WED

Apr 2026

Health

National Walking Day

Step up for health on National Walking Day! Lace up those shoes and enjoy the great outdoors - every step counts toward a healthier lifestyle.

Move More Month

Get ready to move and groove all month long with Move More Month! Join us in taking small steps towards a healthier lifestyle.

National Fitness Day

Get moving on National Fitness Day! Join the challenge and set your fitness goals to achieve a healthier lifestyle.

Recreational Sports & Fitness Day

Get your game on and join the fun - it's Recreational Sports & Fitness Day! Enjoy a day of friendly competition, healthy activities, and making new friends.

11Read

FOR MARKETERS & CREATORS

Turn every day into a moment your audience actually shows up for.

8.4M

Monthly readers

5K+

Holidays tracked

Holiday Calendar for Brands Developer API