Walking down stairs and knees?

Because it's hard to run or do anything else outside during the cold, icy, dark winter months, I'm thinking of walking up all the stairs to the top floor (about 25 stories) each day at work, maybe even a few times each day. I'm no athlete, but I won't have a problem going up. My concern, however, is going down. My knees are actually in great shape, but since I want to keep them that way, I'm wondering if the physical benefit I get from climbing the stairs is offset by the abuse my knees, ankles, and feet will take going down, even if I don't go back down too quickly. (I can't access the top floors to take the elevator back down, or else I would.) Obviously, going up stairs is good exercise, but going down them would seem to me worse for my body than taking the elevator. Anyway, is going down stairs a net positive or net negative for my overall health and fitness? Is this a good exercise even if I have to walk back down all those stairs? If so, how should I protect my knees?

Net positive. Just walk, don't skip/hop down the stairs like a lot of us tend to do when going down stairs. A controlled walk is all good. Good plan, hope you stick with it. If your knees start giving you trouble revaluate, and try just walking up and taking the lift down.

I think your talking about the impact on your knees as you go down, take the elevator, low impact fitness routines are like elliptical machines, swimming, not stairs.

The only problem I see id the strain from doing such repetitive exercise. In order to maximize potential, you need to do a varied amount of exercises.

Going down stairs is just as beneficial as up. But the strain on your knees, ankles and hips will cause you major problems, especially if you are over 30.

I would take it slow, see what your body can handle. Start at 10 flights or something, and then every day add a flight of stairs.

If your knees are healthy now movement and exercise will only strengthen and benefit. Stair walking is a good aerobic acitivity and good for the glutes, which are hard to target, but this should by no means be your only activity !! Use your handweights / free weights and follow an online strength training routine.Developing muscle all around your vulnerable joints adds stability and insures joint health. Follow some television or DVD yoga to increase your flexibility. Join a Y and swim indoors. Cross training is essential to your overall health. Once your body adjusts to a single acitivity or energy requirement your overall fitness willl plateau and improvement will stop. Good luck and Merry Fitness !

since your knees are in great shape, i think going down the stairs is not a problem provided you do so in the correct manner, correct posture.