AIBU to ask how you walk up the stairs?

[TiredDonut]

I read something recently that suggested walking up stairs on tiptoes to build up calf muscles....

Is this not the ONLY way to walk up stairs? I've always walked up stairs on tiptoes and can't imagine an other way...

Am I weird?

(And yes, I've always had good calf muscles)

No. Like walking on four legs. Knees don't touch the ground. Slope of stairs compensates for your legs being longer than your arms.

Surprised you needed telling.Bad knee won't support weight when in the least bit bent, so had no option but to do it that way.

I plod up the stairs on all fours when really tired. Hadn't thought of doing it fast. Off to try now.

At friends houses yes. Not in public places as too dirty. Wouldn’t put my hands where people’s outdoor shoes have been.

I've only done all fours since I got joint issues. I don't do it in public as it would look strange. My teenage dds don't mind me doing it at home as they aren't bitchy, mocking types and understand why I do it

My left knee is apt to be stabby these days so it's either on all fours or slowly using the banisters and landing windowsill to pull myself up. If I'm carrying a cup of tea it's painfully slowly and trying not to jar the knee, which might retaliate by becoming non-weight bearing and just buckling.

Back in the day, I used to hurtle up and down stairs like Speedy Gonzales, but tricky joints and Anno Domini have put an end to that.

I really admire that my cat can come down head first on all fours - not that she has a choice mind - and makes it look easy. I'm betting it's not!

Joking aside...

I always go up on tip toe, and find it really difficult to go up flat footed. I think it's as I have weak hips/lower back.

I also come down very slowly, after an eventful fall that snapped three of my toes 😅

For those crawling UP your stairs on all fours, how do you get back down?
Head first going down on all fours, bum first and crawl down backwards, walking down on 2 feet like a normal person or some other way? 🤔

Tempted to try this in my block of flats and see the faces of my neighbours 😂

Those who are doing this due to general joint pain, I'm wondering what age you are please?

Sorry, I forgot to quote

I meant, try the leg swing to New York, New York - definitely not trying all 4s on a public stairwell!

I run up always at home, well that is a lie, if I am felling very happy i will scamper up on all fours but usually run. Always try for a quick trot though when out and never use the handrail.

I am 52 and conscious that these are the muscles that will get me out of my chair/out of bed/on and off the toilet in later years.

You don't crawl you scamper.

A dog, assume I saw the dog doing it one day and got the idea from her.

I don’t think so, maybe I do! Even when I walk up normally I pull myself up using the banisters rather than have my legs make any effort 🤣

Walk down on 2 feet like a normal person! I don’t honestly know why I go up on all fours, I just always have and never thought about it until today.

I bound up stairs 2 at a time, but go down slowly one at a time & holding the handrail

This, only at home though

Ds2 waits at the bottom for a few seconds and then races up the stairs like he is being chased

I'm mid 50s and fucked my knees when I was about 30 by falling over hard onto concrete.

How do I walk up stairs?
Noisily. My left knee sounds like a coffin lid opening.

I don’t think it’s about other people being ‘bitchy and mocking types.’ I think it’s more about the fact that a lot of us have never come across this before. I’ve never seen anyone go up the stairs on all fours so I’m genuinely confused how people even do this…

All fours or two at time

I use my hands for support like you would do with a ladder. I think it comes from lack of balance so I lean forward so I don't fall back and therefore need my hands for support. Not a conscious decision but I feel unstable walking straight without holding on to anything.

I completely agree with @BarbieDangerous that majority are not being bitchy or mocking! You yourself said you don't crawl on all fours in public as it would look strange- yet you seem oblivious that majority of people on here have never seen nor heard of an adult doing this up stairs!

I'm waiting for a knee replacement, yet it would never occur to me to crawl up the stairs like a dog! Just because others have never heard of this doesn't mean we are all being bitchy about it! 🙄

You've just reminded me, my little bruvver used to do that back in the day! I seem to remember a lot of boys his age did that at the time. I don't think I did it ever, I would run upstairs two at a time. May be why my knees and ankles have been buggered for the past 25 years.

I'd break my arms and lose my teeth doing this 😂
Do you have a big whinny at the same time?

I do reverse wheelbarrow, but only when wearing trousers or else visibility is severely reduced.
Sometimes I just 'manifest' myself up to the top.