Best Vertical Climbers — 2023

What To Keep In Mind When Searching For The Best Vertical Climber

There are some things to consider when purchasing the best vertical climber for your home.

Size

You want to be sure that the vertical climber will fit in your space. Most climbers take up a fairly small amount of floor space, especially compared to treadmills, but they’re tall. Because of their height, you need to be sure your ceiling is high enough. You will want plenty of ceiling clearance for the climber, moving handles, and of course yourself. You have to step up onto the pedals and you might be taller than the climber itself when you’re using it. You certainly don’t want to be banging your head against the ceiling with every stride.

Some vertical climbers fold up to be stored fairly easily. There are many that don’t however. For larger, non-folding vertical climbers you will most likely need a designated space for your climber to stay when it’s in use and not in use. There are a lot of vertical climbers with transportation wheels to move the machine around, but this might not be the best option if the climber is heavy. All in all, when considering a vertical climber you want to be sure it will fit and work well in your home space.

User Capacity

Another important thing to keep in mind is the weight capacity of the vertical climber. You want to be sure that you are under the weight limit. Vertical climbers tend to have different weight capacities, so you’ll want to check out the specs before purchasing. You want to be sure that you fit on the vertical climber when using the handles and pedals, too. Many climbers have adjustable handles (some also have adjustable pedals), so you can be sure to get a good fit. Some include height limits in the specs, so be sure to check that out if it’s available. Take it from me, I’m only about 5’1” and I usually have to use the lower adjustments on vertical climbers in order to reach the handles. You don’t want your handles to be too low or too high, this can negatively affect your positioning.

Features

There are a wide variety of vertical climbers out there. Most come with onboard workouts, some with Bluetooth connectivity, and our best overall vertical climber, the CLMBR, comes with a touch screen and subscription training content. You want to be sure that whatever your training goals and entertainment choices are, that your climber aligns with them. Other features like stationary handles for isolating your lower body, and adjustable resistance are other features to consider, too. It all depends on what your training goals are.

Price Range

Finally, the price is a large factor to consider when buying a vertical climber for your home. Vertical climbers come in various price ranges from under $1000 to well over $2000. Selecting a vertical climber in your budget is important, just as it is purchasing any piece of fitness equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What muscles are worked on a vertical climber?

Vertical climbers work your entire body. You can exercise your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and core. And depending on how you grip the handles, you can work your upper and lower back, chest, triceps, and biceps, too. Expect to get a total body, high-intensity workout that is forgiving on your joints on a vertical climbing machine.

Are vertical climbers better than treadmills?

One isn’t necessarily better than the other. Vertical climbers can help burn more calories than treadmills because of the vertical movement and intensity of the machine. Vertical climbers might also be a good idea if you have joint problems and joint discomfort because the exercise is low impact, versus high impact when running on a treadmill. However, there are plenty of benefits to both types of equipment and it is ultimately a matter of your goals. On either machine, you can get in a great workout.

What should I look for in a vertical climber?

You want to consider the size of the vertical climber to make sure it fits in your space. You also want to make sure you fit it on it, so check the weight and height limit (if available). The price is another important factor. The price can influence the overall quality, too. Other features like adjustable resistance and Bluetooth connectivity are important if you want to vary your training and connect to your device.