Vertical climber buyers guide
When it comes to exercising at home, most of you will be familiar with treadmills, exercise bikes and elliptical machines. However, a vertical climber can be an alternative way to get an excellent full-body workout from the comfort of your own home.
The best vertical climbers will help you to improve your cardiovascular health and strengthen your muscles at the same time. They target all of the major muscle groups in your body whilst helping you burn calories, lose weight, and increase your stamina and endurance.
Working out on a vertical climber is similar to rock climbing, just at a faster pace. It requires your upper body to move the handlebars and lower body to move the steps at a good speed. Climbing on a vertical climber for an hour can burn an impressive average of 500 calories!
There is a variety of vertical climbers for home use on the market. It can seem like a daunting task to find the best vertical climber for your individual needs. That is why we have complied this handy vertical climber guide to help you on your fitness journey!
back to menu ↑What are the best vertical climbers?
Here we will take a look at our best vertical climbers from the hundreds of vertical climber reviews that we have researched and analysed in great detail.
back to menu ↑How to choose the best vertical climber for you
We all have different goals in life. However, most of us would want to maintain a good level of health and fitness. This is where a vertical climber can be a great piece of exercise equipment to invest in. That being said, the features and functionalities required from a vertical climber can differ, depending on your individual needs.
Here we will cover some of the most important things to consider when choosing a vertical climber for your home gym. This can help you narrow down the choices according to a variety of factors, which can make the buying process a lot more manageable.
back to menu ↑Size
Vertical climbers do not require a lot of space. However, it is important to measure-up the space that you do have available for your home gym to make sure that the vertical climber you are considering will fit within it. Height could be an issue as vertical climbers tend to be taller than other fitness equipment.
There are folding vertical climbers which you may want to consider if space is limited and you want something foldable to easily store away when not in use. The amount of time you plan on spending on the climber can help determine how important the portability of it is.
back to menu ↑Weight Capacity
Each vertical climber will be able to handle a different amount of weight. You should check the specification to ensure it will be able to handle the weight of anyone who will be using it.
Generally speaking, the more weight that the climber can hold, the more stable it will feel when in use. This is especially important if you plan to go full throttle. Vertical climbers do carry all of the users weight, so the build quality is very important.
back to menu ↑Height Range
As mentioned above, vertical climbers can be quite tall. They will also support a range of different height sizes. You will need to ensure that the climber is suitable for your height. The taller users may require a high machine to get a full range of motion whereas the shorter users should make sure they will be able to reach the handles without over exerting themselves.
back to menu ↑Physical Limitations
We believe that everyone should be entitled to exercise in a convenient and safe manner. If you do have any physical limitations such as an injury or disability, you may want to shop around for a specialist vertical climber that can cater to your specific needs.
back to menu ↑Comfort
We put comfort towards the top of the features we look for in a vertical climber. Why? The reason is simple – if an exercise machine is comfortable, the higher the chances are that you will use it.
The best vertical climbers will be fully adjustable to cater to all different shapes and sizes. You would want to be able to adjust them into a position that feels ergonomic to you. The angle of your climbing position and hand placement on the grips should be adjustable.
Some of the primary things to consider when it comes to a comfortable vertical climber are the pedals, handles and range of motion. We would ideally want non slip pedals with plenty of room. This would help avoid any accidents and injuries whilst training.
back to menu ↑Resistance
The vertical climber resistance will determine how easy or difficult you can make the workout. For beginners, this will not be so important. However, as your fitness improves, you may need the extra levels of resistance. For sure, the more levels of resistance and higher it goes, the more variety you can have in your exercise routine.
Another important consideration when it comes to resistance is the location of the knob to adjust it. The budget vertical climbers will usually have a knob on the front side of the machine which you manually twist to adjust. The premium vertical climbers can have electronic and automatic resistance that can adjust with minimal workout interference. Ensure that it is easily adjustable and in a suitable location for you to reach.
back to menu ↑Display Monitor
Vertical climbers do not always have a computer monitor where you can track your performance. If this is important to you, then you will want to shop around for the best vertical climbers. These premium models are more likely to include a display where you can view your exercise statistics such as calories burned, steps, time and heart rate.
Some climbers will have preprogramed workout routines for various user goals. If you don’t have the knowledge or time to create your own, this could be a useful feature to look out for.
Other display features can include Bluetooth, ANT+ or wireless connectivity. This will allow you to hook up the vertical climber with any third-party fitness apps or devices.
back to menu ↑Budget
Let’s be honest – the best vertical climber you can buy will depend on how much of your budget you have allocated to it is. Don’t worry, you don’t have to spend more than you can afford in order to get a vertical climber that will deliver a high impact cardio and strength building workout. Even the budget options will do this, just make sure it has all of the features you require as you wouldn’t want to regret saving a little cash to compromise on performance.
back to menu ↑Other Key Features
In addition to the vertical climber features we have just discussed, there are some other things to look out for if you are in the market for one;
- Does it have pulse grip sensors to accurately track your heart rate?
- Is there anywhere you can store your bottle to stay hydrated?
- Is there a smart device holder for your phone or tablet device?
- What safety functions are there, if any?
- Is it easy to put together or will you need help?
- Are there instructions included or any video tutorials online?
- Does the vertical climber have floor protection?
- Is it operated via mains power or battery? You may need a plug socket nearby
- What materials is the climber built with?
- Is there any potential resell value?
Benefits of vertical climbers
The movements that you perform on a vertical climber are similar to those you would if mountain climbing. It is a great way to mix a cardio workout with a muscle building routine. Whilst this does mean that it can be a challenging, it also means that it is extremely effective.
Vertical climbers can help you to reach your fitness goals, whether that is to lose weight, tone your muscles or just stay in good shape. It is a full-body workout tool which allows you to specifically target the arms, chest, shoulders, back, core, glutes, hamstrings, quads, and calves.
Some of the main benefits of an exercise bike include;
- Burn calories
- Lose weight
- Build muscles
- Improve stamina
- Boost mental health
- Challenging workout at home
- Save money from gym membership costs
Tips for using your vertical climber
It can be an exciting time when you buy a vertical climber and introduce it into your home gym. Now, before you get started and climb Everest, here are a few tips to help you get the best vertical climber experience;
- Warm up and warm down for a few minutes
- Keep hydrated throughout your workout
- Have a towel handy to wipe the sweat away
- Wear suitable clothing and footwear
- Pace yourself and take it steady
- Have a routine in place and set specific targets
- Increase the difficulty as your fitness level improves
- Avoid exercising if you feel any pain
Conclusion
If you have made it this far, you should have a good idea about the benefits of vertical climbers and what to look for if you are planning on adding one to your home gym.
Vertical climbers provide a full body workout that targets the cardiovascular system and strengthens your muscles. Frequent use can help you to lose weight and build muscles. For best results, combine your climbing routine with a balanced diet.
If you want a fun and challenging workout from the comfort of your own home, a vertical climber is an excellent choice. They are versatile, safe and compact enough so that they can be folded away for easy storage when not in use.
Whatever option you go for, we wish you the very best of luck and are sure you will pick the best vertical climber to help you reach your goals!
Happy climbing!
Rich
Rich is an avid bodybuilder who has dedicated over 20 years of his life to the sport. He has a strong passion for health and fitness, living a clean lifestyle with a commitment to helping others educate themselves and fulfil their true potential.
