Kenneth, if you do go to the gym, check out the stair machines with moving stairs like an escalator. They will give you a better workout for climbing hills than either of the other two.
Just don't hold onto the handrails (it's beyond me why people do this, but most do) and push yourself. Do high-intensity interval training, it's better than just plodding along at a constant speed.
The contraption is called a stepmill, and not holding on to the rails is excellent advice. Daily use can be really hard on your knees, moreso for a short guy, as he will begin each step up from a more angled upper leg/more knee flexion.
Try intervals set at 60steps for "rest" and 80 for "work" for starters. Going more than a half-hour is a waste of time, IMO.
