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If you are thinking of buying an exercise machine for your home gym (like most of us do now), it is time to consider a vertical climbing machine. Most buyers instinctively turn to elliptical exercisers. Treadmills or Exercise bike If you’re setting up a home gym, the best climbing equipment may be better for home training.
What is a climbing machine?
Climbing machines are vertical devices designed to mimic the movements of climbing. This means pulling down on the handles, leg pushing, and pulling with your feet on the pedals, and keeping the core engaged at all times (most machines also allow for lower body isolation by using stationary handles hold). It looks simple, but when combined these exercises make for an amazing, low impact workout that involves your entire body. And when we say the whole body, we mean it: quads, hamstrings, calves, glutes, abs, back and arms are fully engaged, while the chest and shoulders are also trained.
Calorie consumption is also very impressive. You can burn up to 800 calories in a 30-minute climbing session, or 300 if you go slowly (which is still very important). If you need proof of the effectiveness of climbing, just look at pictures of professional climbers.
With the best climbing equipment, you can get the benefits of climbing right in your living room or gym. Climbing machines take up very little space due to their vertical design. In addition, they are designed to suit all levels from beginners to professional climbers so you don’t have to be intimidated.
As with most of the best fitness The latest climbing machines now integrate virtual training and data analysis to improve your training. They’re not as common as connected exercise bikes, for example, but we were able to find a few connected climbing machines with live training and on-demand courses.
What are the best climbing machines?
If you are new to climbing machines, the devices can seem more complicated than they actually are. Below are some key features to look out for when choosing the best climbing machine for your needs.
Build quality: All fitness equipment should be sturdy and well made, but it’s especially important with climbing equipment because it requires so much exercise. You want to be able to ride as hard as you can without the machine rattling or holding you back. Plus, a solid, well-built machine just looks better, which is always important with a large piece of home fitness equipment.
adjustability: It is important that you can adapt a climbing machine to your stature and training level. Look for equipment with an adjustable height for the best workout. Also, look for variable resistance equipment as this will allow for strengthening and a higher cardio level as you progress.
technology: As mentioned earlier, the best climbing machines now have built-in technology to improve your workout. This can be in the form of a built-in screen with virtual training and on-demand courses, smartphone connectivity for tracking workouts and monitoring heart rate, or in all of the above. The more technique the better, especially if you are new to climbing machines and need instructions.
size: One of the advantages of climbing machines is their vertical design, which takes up very little space in apartments or small houses. Even so, it is good to measure the intended area of the machine to make sure you have space. Also note that you may need up to ten feet of vertical space to assemble the machine.
1. MaxiClimber XL-2000
Courtesy of Amazon
MaxiClimber is probably the most famous brand for vertical climbers. Your original climbing machine is great, but this XL-2000 is the updated version. The main difference is the XL-2000’s adjustable resistance (12 levels, to be precise), which allows for a customizable workout and is more of a challenge for professionals.
The XL-2000 is also more responsive than other devices, with a maximum user height of six feet six and a maximum weight of 300 pounds. The height is fully adjustable so there should be no problem finding the right fit. The frame itself is also of high quality with an aluminum frame and silent roller mechanisms. This means you can exercise while others are sleeping, watching TV, or working.
The whole thing takes up very little space with a footprint of around 26 x 42 inches, while roller wheels allow easy storage or repositioning around the house. We also like the sleek, minimalist construction because it won’t be too annoying in your living space.
The MaxiClimber does not have a built-in screen, but a smartphone holder and the MaxiClimber app offer virtual workout routines and statistics to track progress. The app also contains other helpful information to get in shape, such as a 21-day meal plan with over 80 recipes.
2. CC81 Cardio Climber sole
Courtesy Sole Fitness
Another high-end climbing machine is the Sole CC81. The device offers a great full body workout and numerous functions for pushing. The CC81 is especially good for beginners as it may feel more familiar to those who haven’t used a climbing machine. This is because the CC81 is essentially an elliptical trainer that has been fitted with climbing machine grips because the foot pedals are large and have some horizontal movement. Plus, the resistance is adjustable so you can ride as easy or as hard as you like.
With the CC81 you have two options for infotainment. The first is an integrated display on which important measurements such as heart rate, time and calorie consumption as well as six integrated programs for a guided workout are shown. But they also have a large tablet holder so you can easily control music, watch videos or stream your own climbing machine training.
In terms of build quality, the CC81 does very well. The sturdy frame is made of welded steel so the machine can support up to 400 pounds. The space requirement is relatively small (although slightly larger than the MaxiClimber) and has a base of 31 x 59 inches. This larger base has its advantages, however, as the machine should feel more grounded during intense workouts.
Sole CC81 Cardio Climber $ 1,599.99
3. Bowflex TreadClimber TC200
Courtesy Bowflex
This Bowflex TreadClimber is a little different from other climbing equipment (and other fitness equipment). It’s designed to encourage the world’s most popular and natural form of movement – walking – and to make working at home easier. The Treadclimber is essentially a treadmill that has been split in half. Each side rises to meet your foot and descends as you press down. This enables surprisingly intense, yet ineffective, cardio training while walking, combining the movements of a treadmill, stepper, and elliptical trainer – and burning more calories than any other.
The TreadClimber TC200 is our choice (compared to the TC100 in the lower price range) because it has five training programs and a Bluetooth connection to a companion app (as well as My Fitness Pal, Apple Health Kit and Google Fit). This means you can program a goal, let the machine track your progress, and compile your fitness data in the TreadClimber app.
Although it is not a vertical machine, the TreadClimber’s 55 x 32 inch footprint is still quite economical. And as with all high-end Bowflex products, the processing quality is also excellent.
Bowflex TreadClimber TC200 $, 1999
4. CLMBR connected
Courtesy of CLMBR
CLMBR is the peloton of climbing machines. It’s a sleek, well-made product that is packed with technology to help you meet your fitness goals. You will immediately notice that the design of the CLMBR differs significantly from most climbing machines. Instead of a single central mainframe, the CLMBR has a solid outer frame that offers more freedom of movement during training. The machine is also very well built with a cast and extruded aluminum construction.
The CLMBR is also very space conscious as it only takes up 34 “by 33” of floor space and eight feet of vertical. If you need to move the machine when not in use, you can easily do so with built-in steering wheels.
Finding the perfect height and grip is easy thanks to the quick-adjust handles that provide neutral grip positions above or below the hand. The resistance levels are fully adjustable with 11 settings ranging from light to tough for gain.
Once locked, launch the built-in 21.5-inch touchscreen display. This is where you can see live, instructor-led group classes, on-demand training, and statistics to track your progress. Workouts also include non-climbing fitness with classes in yoga, weight training, and Pilates. The device can also connect to your smartphone where you can view statistics, browse classes, and share your progress. One downside: CLMBR is currently taking orders but won’t deliver until July 2021. If you want to climb right away, we recommend one of the other options on the list.
CLMBR Connected $ 2,299
