Vertical Climber Exercise Ladder Step Machine

Climbing is the most honest cardio there is. A vertical climber exercise machine puts your arms and legs to work at once against your own body weight, and there is nowhere to coast.

Why a vertical climber exercise machine burns so much

On a bike or a treadmill, your upper body mostly comes along for the ride. On a climber, your arms pull while your legs push, so a far larger share of your muscle mass is working at any moment. As a result your heart rate climbs quickly and stays there.

Twenty minutes on this machine produces roughly the calorie burn of a jog. That is the pitch, and unlike most such claims it is easy to verify after your first session.

The LCD monitor

A digital timer tracks time, speed, distance and calories burned. Because the numbers are in front of you, it is far easier to hold a pace than it is to climb by feel.

Use distance as your progress measure rather than time. Holding the same distance in less time is the clearest sign your fitness is improving.

More than climbing

The frame supports abdominal work too. You can use it for sit-ups and plank support, which targets the core directly rather than as a side effect of the climb.

Meanwhile the climbing motion itself builds calf endurance and explosive power in the legs, and shapes the arms and shoulders through the pulling phase.

Vertical climber exercise machine specifications

• Display: LCD — time, speed, distance, calories
• Maximum user weight: 150 kg
• Training: full body — arms, legs, core, calves
• Extra uses: sit-ups and plank support

Who this vertical climber exercise machine suits

It suits anyone short on time, because the intensity does the work of a longer session. It also suits heavier users, since the frame is rated to 150 kg — higher than most home cardio machines manage.

However, it is demanding. If you are starting from scratch, ease in with short intervals, or look at something gentler in our cardio range first.

How to train on it

Start with intervals: one minute climbing, one minute rest, eight rounds. Keep your back straight and drive through your legs rather than hanging off your arms.

Once that feels manageable, extend the working minute to two. Twenty continuous minutes is a serious session, and most people take a month to get there.

Price in Kenya

It is KSh 17,999, down from KSh 22,000. Compared with a treadmill at three times the price, it delivers a harder workout in less floor space. Browse our strength equipment if you want to build a full home setup around it.

Common questions

Is a vertical climber exercise machine hard on the knees?

Less than running, because there is no impact. Your feet stay in contact with the pedals throughout.

What is the weight limit?

150 kg.

How long should a session be?

Start with eight one-minute intervals and build towards twenty continuous minutes.

Can beginners use it?

Yes, but keep the sessions short at first. The movement is simple; the intensity is what catches people out.