please empty your brain below
Beginners might like to start at Gloucester Road (87 steps).
The tube map differentiates beween stations with step-free access from train to street and platform to street. What’s the difference?

Christopher Bellew | Homepage | 11.01.18 - 7:14 a.m. | #

There's also the starter Tubegym where, at some stations with middle (of three)escalators, they switch them off during quiet periods. For true masochists (er, I mean, enthusiasts), you could try running up the down escalator. This might be particularly rewarding at Angel or Leicester Square.

More conventionally, just do a few circuits walking up and down in the direction of travel.

100andthirty | 11.01.18 - 7:17 a.m. | #

Step free:

Street to platform = large step/gap between train and platform

Street to train = the platform is level with the train or there is a local hump adjacent to the car with a wheelchair space (or portable ramp?)

100andthirty | 11.01.18 - 7:20 a.m. | #

Many people could get off a stop early, or take the stairs, or go for a walk at lunchtime.

It amazes me how many people at work use the lifts to go up or down one floor.

Andrew | 11.01.18 - 7:37 a.m. | #

Oh happy days when,having missed a lift,I was able to use the stairs. 😏
Thanks for the chuckles this morning,DG, I needed them. 😂😂😂😂

Jo W | 11.01.18 - 7:38 a.m. | #

Laughing at this one dg.

I’ll stick with Tufnell Park for now. When I’m on duty I’m not allowed to use the lifts (in case I get stuck inside) as it would be a bit demeaning for the station manager to require assistance from another station to get me out!

Rob Healy | Homepage | 11.01.18 - 7:46 a.m. | #

Oh, the tiles!

Sarah | Homepage | 11.01.18 - 8:09 a.m. | #

Interesting use of the word epicentre:

“The epicentre of Tubegym's virtual gymnasium is Covent Garden station”

‘Epicentre’ used to mean the point on the surface of the earth corresponding to the causal centre (which is below ground). Following the old use, the ‘epicentre’ of Tubegym isn’t the whole of Covent Garden station, but the part on the surface. A rare example where the new use of a word almost matches the old use.

‘Epicentre’ now means ‘the most centrey centre of the centre’ - or ‘not the literal, but metaphorical central point of an idea or concept’ - used when writers who feel writing ‘centre’ isn't exciting enough.

Literally.

Alex4D | Homepage | 11.01.18 - 8:19 a.m. | #

I'm sure DG would never mis-use 'epicentre'. I assume It's the Tubegym marketing people.

RogerB | 11.01.18 - 8:50 a.m. | #

Or for the ultimate challenge you can try the Mansion House to Cannon Street race vs the Underground:

https://youtu.be/PH_Z8Ghuq6E

RobbyM | Homepage | 11.01.18 - 9:16 a.m. | #

I've climbed the stairs at Hampstead twice. Once, to see if I could. About 10 years later, to see if I still could. But now I'm older and walk with a stick, I'm unlikely to try again.
There used to be another benefit of using the stairs. Long before Oyster, the exit from the stairs was away from the main ticket barrier at many stations, thus allowing free exit. At a time when I was short of money, I thought this was a useful facility.

amber | 11.01.18 - 9:26 a.m. | #

There's no epicentre at Leytonstone tube so Waltham Forest have kindly provided one a good walk away...http://leytonstoneepicentre.co.uk/

b | 11.01.18 - 9:30 a.m. | #

I used to run down Covent Garden stairs to see how quick I could do it in without tumblinging all the way down. Having a long stride I could take two steps at a time or if you were really brave you could take three by sticking to the central area where they are much smaller steps. I have a Freedompass nowadays so might take a bit longer to do it! Running down the escalators at Angel used to be fun too, two at a time whilst clinging onto the rubber handrail just in case!

Drew | Homepage | 11.01.18 - 10:33 a.m. | #

I think I can just about handle Holloway Road. No idea how many steps, but it ain't much.

Chz | 11.01.18 - 10:52 a.m. | #

I like "equivalent to climbing a 15 storey building". I think the warning signs always say that, no matter how many steps it actually is.

Michael Churchill | 11.01.18 - 10:59 a.m. | #

Excellent, thak you.

For those south of the river, try Tesco in Woolwich where the up escalator is out of order. A mere 40-odd stairs but a nice warm up before your journey to Covent Garden.

And you can buy a cake at the top.

Chris | 11.01.18 - 11:23 a.m. | #

Harrow-on-the-Hill just about does it for me - but I've got several Christmas excesses to rid myself of.
Baby steps!

Cornish Cockney | 11.01.18 - 11:31 a.m. | #

It would be handy if DG could outline the parking arrangements at "Tubegym" - surely users can't be expected to get there under their own steam?!?

Tim | 11.01.18 - 12:36 p.m. | #

£25 is a bargain. Do you provide the Oyster card, or do I need to load it on my existing one?

| 11.01.18 - 12:49 p.m. | #

Tim - Tubegym customers are expected to arrive by public transport, naturally. But what are the showers like? And is there a pool?

Andrew | 11.01.18 - 12:52 p.m. | #

Waiting for Geofftech to explain the step numbers are completely wrong in most stations.

Mark | 11.01.18 - 1:18 p.m. | #

There is a pool - you might hear an announcement telling you where to find it: "Cleaners to a Code 2 on platform 1 please". I'd advise against a paddle in it though

Tim | 11.01.18 - 1:20 p.m. | #

I was annoyed on Saturday when my normal jog up the stairs at Marylebone was blocked by someone (a bit older) doing the same thing but slightly slower. Tubegym really need to invest in fast and slow lanes like swimming pools have so that the equipment can be used by all without inconvenience.

(Incidentally, it was a lot harder to go up as I couldn't build momentum and had my rhythm disrupted. At least that's what I'm telling myself and it's not that I'm getting old and am also not very fit).

Si | 11.01.18 - 1:32 p.m. | #

Based solely on the content, I suspect 'Alex4D' may be the previously regular commentator formerly known as 'Timbo'

Frank F | 11.01.18 - 1:34 p.m. | #

The link to"Tubegym" is not working.
(as at 15.16hrs 11 Jan 2018 )

prptram | 11.01.18 - 3:17 p.m. | #

@prptram: you really got the joke...

deruf | 11.01.18 - 4:21 p.m. | #

@Frank F

No it wasn't

Timbo | 11.01.18 - 4:45 p.m. | #

Elephant & Castle is my preferred choice. It has the novelty of TWO within close proximity to each other. Sadly if you head to the wrong one it is difficult to get to the line you want. Especially when you're coming out of the National Rail shopping centre and want the Bakerloo. Thought that one through well, didn't they?

EonLeader | 11.01.18 - 10:14 p.m. | #

Disappointing to see DG changing his stance and posting marketing/puff pieces.

JamesVT | 12.01.18 - 10:07 a.m. | #

In my younger youth I often used to run down those stairs at top speed, taking two at a time. I can still get into that groove 35 years later, but I find that the modern-day yellow safety lines induce a sort of spatial dyslexia and makes it much less safe to do this.

NickW | 14.01.18 - 12:42 p.m. | #











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