If you’re looking for a full-body workout that helps you tone up, lose weight, increase strength and endurance, a vertical climber is one of the best gym machines you can own.
These devices offer both short and intense workouts.
Best Vertical Climber on a Budget
As someone who never has enough hours in a day, vertical climbers are my gym machine of choice.
They allow me to fit in a rigorous and heart-racing workout that makes me feel great (albeit, a little sweaty afterwards!) in just 30 minutes.
Whether you’re an experienced gym-goer or want to leave behind your sedentary life for good, a vertical climber can help you no matter your fitness goals.
I’ve tried and tested a lot of vertical climbers over the years, so I know exactly what to look for when it comes to finding the best.
If you’re on the hunt for the best vertical climber for your workout, don’t go anywhere. In this vertical climber buying guide, I’ll be reviewing some of the best I’ve come across on my sites search to help you find one that works for you.
Looking for a little more about vertical climber machines in general? I’ll be going into detail about this later on.
Best Vertical Climbers – Top 6 Reviewed
Summarized reviews of the top products from the lineup sorted by category…
Top Pick
MaxiClimber Original Vertical Climber
A versatile and simple-to-use vertical climber that offers a range of features
MaxiClimber Original Vertical Climber
Out of all the vertical climbers I’ve looked at, the MaxiClimber Classic is my top recommendation as it’s user-friendly, simple to assemble, and comes with a hefty amount of features, all of which are helpful for achieving the best workout!
Best Vertical Climber on a Budget
Doufit Vertical Climber Exercise Machine
Featuring a safe and steady design. It’s a quality machine that’s also within an affordable price range.
Doufit Vertical Climber Exercise Machine
Some vertical climbing machines can be a little pricey, so if you’re looking for a unit that’s more affordable, the Doufit vertical climber is a good machine to consider.
It has 7 levels of adjustable heights to ensure you maintain the right form during your workout. It’s compact and easy to move, making it highly mobile too!
Editor’s Choice
Aceshin Vertical Climber Machine
If you require a vertical climber that can accommodate heavy users, then this is one of the best vertical climbers for your workout needs.
Aceshin Vertical Climber Machine
The Aceshin vertical climber is an extremely versatile machine as it’s designed for all body types due to its high maximum weight capacity.
This reason as well as its comfortability during use makes it one of my top selections.
Best Vertical Climber with Resistance
MaxiClimber XL-2000
It has a lightweight and compact design, in addition to integrated rollers so you can easily move it around.
MaxiClimber XL-2000
If you’re after a machine that offers a lot of resistance to keep you challenged during your workouts, the MaxiClimber XL-2000 is one of the top units for the task.
It features a bi-directional, 12-level hydraulic resistance system and has a sturdy frame to ensure its stability during intense workouts.
Best Commercial Vertical Climber
GOTOTOP Home Climber
A great pick for both short and tall users. It has 5 adjustable levels to ensure you maintain the best position during your workout.
GOTOTOP Home Climber
If you’re looking for the best commercial vertical climber (one that fits your home just right!), GOTOTOP’s home climber is a fine contender.
It has 5 levels of adjustable heights, a foldable design, and even foam handles so you can exercise in comfort.
Best for Beginners
RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE Vertical Climber
With its simple and easy-to-use design, this vertical climber is a solid choice for a beginner home gym.
RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE Vertical Climber
Choosing a vertical climber for the first time when you’ve just started your fitness journey can be a bit overwhelming – there’s a lot to take in!
Vertical climbers that are easy to use is a quality you should look out for in units for beginners.
This RELIFE Rebuild Your Life product more than delivers in this attribute thanks to its easy to use design.
Top Vertical Climbers
Here are the full reviews of all the products in the lineup…
Top Pick
MaxiClimber(r) – The Original Patented Vertical Climber
A versatile and simple-to-use vertical climber that offers a range of features.
MaxiClimber(r) – The Original Patented Vertical Climber
If you’re looking for a versatile and simple-to-use vertical climber that offers a range of features, then the Maxi Climber Classic model is a great machine to consider.
Function
It provides a low-impact but full body workout, mixing both calorie burning cardio with body toning to increase your fitness levels.
The machine engages all your major muscle groups by simply using your own as resistance, which is excellent for strength training.
Whenever I get a new piece of gym equipment for my home gym, I’m always impatient when it comes to assembly – I want to get started with my workouts right away.
Assembly
Fortunately, the Maxi Climber Classic model comes 90% pre-assembled and is ready to use within minutes.
You can start your cardio workout almost as soon as you get the machine out of the box!
Additionally, if you have limited space for your home gym setup, the Maxi Climber Classic model has you covered.
It’s lightweight, compact, and has a folding design so you can easily store it away when it’s not in use.
Features
The Maxi Climber Classic vertical climber has an LCD monitor to help you track your progress, an adjustable height that goes up to 6.2 ft, and a maximum body weight limit of 240 lbs.
It even comes with a companion fitness app that provides you with high-intensity interval training routines, challenges, and meal plans.
Design
However, there are a few drawbacks to the Maxi Climber vertical stepper climber, namely due to its design.
The rollers on the machine are a little weak, and the unit itself can be loud in operation. This can make it feel a little flimsy. Additionally, the LCD display can become defective after a short period of time.
But, if you consider all the other positives of the Maxi Climber Classic model, then it’s definitely one of the top vertical climbers for the price.
Specs
- Product Dimensions: 57” x 10” x 6”
- Product Weight: 33lbs
- Max Height: 6.2 ft
- Max Weight Capacity: 240 lbs
Pros
- Compact, slimline, and folding design for easy storage
- Easy to assemble
- Max weight of 240lbs, max height of 6.2 ft – ideal for a range of body types
- Comes with an LCD monitor and companion fitness app
Cons
- Rollers and LCD readout aren’t the best quality
- Machine can be loud in operation
Best Vertical Climber on a Budget
Doufit Vertical Climber Exercise Machine
Featuring a safe and steady design. It’s a quality machine that’s also within an affordable price range.
Doufit Vertical Climber Exercise Machine
Featuring a safe and steady design, the Doufit vertical climber is a quality machine that’s also within an affordable price range.
Although the resistance on the exercise machine is unadjustable, it still provides you everything for a total body workout.
Height
It has 7 levels of adjustable heights to ensure you maintain proper form during your cardio workouts.
There are anti-skid rubber caps on the pedals as well as foam sleeves on the handles for comfort.
LCD
To help you track your progress, this unit has an LCD monitor. This handy device records stats like speed distance and calories burned to ensure you get the best out of your workouts.
Compact
If you don’t have a lot of space in your home, then this machine is one of the ideal compact home gym choices as it can be folded up.
It also has transportation wheels so you can easily move it around.
Despite its positives, the Doufit vertical climber does have a slight issue with flexibility. The reason being is its lack of smoothness during use – this can make exercises feel a bit rigid or restrictive.
Specs
- Product Dimensions: 47” x 10” x 9”
- Product Mass: 38.5 lbs
- Max Height: 6.3 ft
- Max Weight Capacity: 220 lbs
Pros
- Affordable – ideal vertical climber for those on a budget
- 7 adjustable levels of height – ideal for a range of body types
- LCD monitor to help you track your progress
- Can be folded up and moved around easily
Cons
- Machine lacks smoothness during use
Editor’s Choice
Aceshin Vertical Climber Machine
If you require a vertical climber that can accommodate heavy users, then this is one of the best vertical climbers for your workout needs.
Aceshin Vertical Climber Machine
The Aceshin low impact vertical climber machine is one of my personal favorite machines due to how simple it is to use.
It’s ergonomically designed for all body types as it has a maximum mass capacity of 350 lbs.
If you require a vertical climber that can accommodate heavy users, then this is one of the best vertical climbers for your workout needs.
Design
The Aceshin vertical climber has a simple design that’s convenient to use.
It can be folded down and secured with a removable pin, allowing you to store it away.
It can be reassembled within minutes too.
Build
Aceshin’s vertical climber has an alloy frame which is coated with an anti-rust paint. I always sweat a lot during my vertical climber workouts, so the latter is a very helpful feature. Still, you should always keep your sweat under control with a high-quality gym towel.
For added comfort, the handles on the vertical climber are encased with high-density sponge mats.
Tracker
The vertical climber has a digital tracker to record your workout data so you can ensure you have the best fitness session yet. It records stats like time, distance, speed, and calories burned.
The only issue with this vertical climber is that it can be a bit noisy during operation.
Specs
- Product Dimensions: 63.22” x 11.22” x 6.1”
- Product Mass: 44.09 lbs
- Max Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
Pros
- Weight capacity up to 350 lbs – best option for heavy users
- Foldable design
- Coated in an anti-rust paint
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Can be a bit noisy during operation
Best Vertical Climber with Resistance
MaxiClimber XL-2000 Hydraulic Resistance Vertical Climber
Sporting a bi-directional, 12-level hydraulic resistance system, the MaxiClimber XL2000 is one of the ideal vertical climbers for those looking to up their workout game.
MaxiClimber XL-2000 Hydraulic Resistance Vertical Climber
Build
It has an aluminium mainframe with a long-lasting roller mechanism for the best and most intense cardio workout.
But, even with all that power, the MaxiClimber XL2000 offers a smooth and quiet experience so your focus never wavers during your exercise regime.
The Maxi Climber XL vertical climber has a lightweight and compact design, in addition to integrated rollers so you can easily move it around.
It has an anti-sliding leveling mechanism so it can be used with ease even on uneven surfaces in your home.
Features
Thanks to its LCD readout which displays stats like time, calories burned, and distance, you can track your progress on your total body workout.
There’s a mobile phone holder on the machine too, which is handy when using the MaxiClimber XL’s free companion fitness app.
The app gives you advice on meal plans and nutrition, alongside interval training routines and challenges to really get your heart pumping.
LCD
My main gripe with this low-impact home vertical climber is its unreliable LCD readout – the monitor can break or become defective prematurely.
Specs
- Product Dimensions: 55.6” x 11.5” x 8.5”
- Product Mass: 51.65 lbs
- Max User Height: 6.6 ft
- Max Weight Limit: 300 lbs
Pros
- Provides a 12-level hydraulic resistance system – best for those looking for a challenging full-body workout
- Smooth and quiet during operation
- Lightweight and compact design
- Anti-sliding leveling mechanism
Cons
- LCD readout can be a bit unreliable
Best Commercial Vertical Climber
GOTOTOP Home Climber
A great pick for both short and tall users. It has 5 adjustable levels to ensure you maintain the best position during your workout.
GOTOTOP Home Climber
With 5 adjustable levels of height, the GOTOTOP is a great pick for both short and tall users. It can be adjusted from 53.1 inches to 81.5 inches to ensure you maintain the best position during your workout.
Build
The vertical climber can be folded so it can be stored away when it’s not in use, and is a breeze to assemble and disassemble.
Thanks to its foam handles, the vertical climber is comfortable to operate and minimizes hand fatigue.
It has grooved and anti-slip plastic pedals to help you keep your balance during your exercise session.
LCD
This vertical climber from GOTOTOP also has an LCD readout that gives you data on your time, calorie count, and distance traveled, which is ideal for keeping track of your training.
Unfortunately, the manual instructions for the GOTOTOP vertical climber are unclear as they lack detail and conciseness, so setting it up initially can be frustrating.
The vertical climber can also be noisy and feel a bit flimsy during use.
Specs
- Product Dimensions: 52.36” x 9.84” x 7.87”
- Product Mass: 30.97 lbs
- Max User Height: 6.7 ft
- Max Weight Limit: 330 lbs
Pros
- 5 levels of adjustable height
- Comfortable to use
- Can be folded for easy storage
- Includes an LCD readout
Cons
- Manual instructions are a bit unclear
- Can be noisy and flimsy during use
Best for Beginners
RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE Vertical Climber
With its simple and easy-to-use design, this vertical climber is a solid choice for a beginner home gym.
RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE Vertical Climber
Boasting a simple and easy-to-use design, the Relife Rebuild Your Life vertical climber is a solid choice for a beginner home gym.
But, even if you’re an experienced user, this unit is still a great option due to its vast amount of features.
Resistance
The Relife Rebuild Your Life unit has adjustable resistance levels (5!) to suit a variety of workouts.
Levels 1 to 2 is jogging, 3 to 4 is running, and the 5th is rock climbing.
This gives you a lot of options for your cardio workouts, allowing you to mix things up regularly to get the best results.
Features
The machine has 4 metal guide rails for support, which also make it more stable and durable.
It has a thickened step metal plate and foot support rod, further adding to its stability.
You get a basic LCD readout with this vertical climber which works as a workout timer and calorie counter.
Last but not least, the vertical climber has a completely foldable design for easy storage.
Assembly
However, Relife’s low-impact vertical climber can be a bit difficult to assemble as some parts don’t fit together as well as they should.
The device also doesn’t have the best fluidity during use and may need greasing frequently for a smoother experience.
Boasting a simple and easy-to-use design, this unit is a solid choice for a beginner home gym.
But, even if you’re an experienced user, this machine is still a great option due to its vast amount of features.
Specs
- Product Dimensions: 37.5” x 28” x 85”
- Product Weight: 43 lbs
- Max Weight Capacity: 260 lbs
Pros
- Offers 5 levels of adjustable resistance
- Great vertical climber for beginners due to simple design
- Vertical climber includes a LCD display which works as a calorie counter and workout timer
- Foldable for easy storage
Cons
- Can be a bit difficult to set up
- May need greasing frequently to maintain fluidity during use
What Is a Vertical Climber?
A vertical climber has a small staircase that mimics the motion of rock climbing or climbing a mountain as you use it.
It has handrails on the top and sides of the unit to help you steady yourself.
Vertical climber machines combine both aerobic and cardio activity with strength training, resulting in a low-impact but full body workout.
Muscle Groups
Not only does a vertical climber tone your thigh muscles and other major muscles, but it also boosts your metabolism. That’s because your heart pumps faster due to the climbing process.
A higher metabolism allows you to burn more calories, decreasing your body weight as a result.
And, unlike actual mountain climbing or rock climbing, with these machines you don’t have to worry about heights and big drops!
Is a Vertical Climber Worth Buying?
If you’re looking to improve your stamina and endurance, and work all your major muscle groups, a vertical climber is worth buying.
Additionally, if you want to burn more calories to aid with weight loss, a vertical climber can help you achieve your goal.
Besides, vertical climber machines are compact and slimline (most units are foldable for easy storage), so they’re a perfect fit for users with limited space.
Here is one buyer sharing her experience with a vertical climber…
Affordability
The best vertical climbers are within an affordable price range too, allowing you to exercise comfortably in your home without a gym membership. Not only is this convenient, but it saves you money in the long run.
Advantages – What Is a Vertical Climber Best For?
Now that you know what a vertical climber is and what it does, let’s take a look at some of the advantages of using this machine.
It Boosts Your Metabolism and Helps You Lose Weight
A vertical climber boosts your metabolism thanks to its intense heart-pumping effects.
This helps you burn 20% more calories than you would on a treadmill, rowing machine, or stair stepper.
As a result, this type of machine is effective for weight loss.
It Improves Your Cardiovascular Health
A vertical climber improves your cardiovascular health and VO2 max. The latter is the measure of the amount of oxygen your body can utilize during an intense or difficult exercise.
A workout on a vertical climber is about as intense as it gets, which is beneficial for your cardiovascular health and increases your VO2 max.
NOTE
Exercise that increases your heart rate is advantageous for your lungs, energy levels, sleep, weight, mood, and even reduces your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
It Gives You a Total Body Workout
Vertical climbing machines allow you to work almost every muscle on your body.
You can focus on your glutes, calves, hamstrings, and quads by holding onto the handles on the model and “sitting” into your climb.
If you add an arm motion to your workout, you will work your arms, core, back, and chest.
TIP
Furthermore, if you change the grip on the handles between underhand and overhand, it can help focus on upper body muscles too.
Workouts Don’t Take Very Long
Due to how effective vertical climbing machines are for burning calories and increasing your metabolism, you don’t have to workout as long as you would on a treadmill or exercise bike.
For example, if you’re looking to burn 300 calories daily from exercise, this should only take around 30 minutes on a vertical climber.
In contrast, burning 300 calories could take 45 minutes on an exercise bike or treadmill.
Add It To Your Daily Routine
For users with busy lives, vertical climbing machines are an excellent option as they allow you to squeeze in a workout without taking up too much of your time.
You only need to use a vertical climber for 30 minutes a few times a week to ensure all your major muscles get a good workout.
Vertical Climber vs Elliptical Machine
Vertical climbing machines and elliptical machines are both used for cardio exercise and lower body workouts – they focus on your glutes, calves, hamstrings, and other muscles in your legs.
Elliptical Machine
However, elliptical trainers look different to vertical climbers.
They have foot pedals and hand-held poles that move, as well as forward and reverse features.
Elliptical machines also work your upper body.
Vertical Climber
A vertical climber doesn’t have moving handlebars, so it’s not as effective for upper body workouts.
That said, if you lightly hold onto the side rails on a vertical climber and keep yourself upright (you’ll need excellent form), then it will work out your core muscles.
FAQs
Do Vertical Climbers Really Work?
A vertical climber makes exercising more effective as it burns a lot of calories, works your total body, boosts your metabolism, and improves your cardiovascular health and VO2 max.
All of these advantages make this machine extremely versatile and one of the best home gym pieces of equipment to use.
What Are the Benefits of Vertical Climbers?
Vertical climbers can help tone all your major muscle groups, help you lose pounds, and improve your cardiovascular health and VO2 max.
By improving your cardiovascular health, you’ll reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, some types of cancer, and lower your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Increasing your VO2 max will improve your endurance and has even been linked to decreasing your chances of developing dementia and Alzheimer Disease.
NOTE
The higher your VO2 max, the greater your ability to use oxygen you inhale – this means you’ll be able to produce more energy to keep you going through high-intensity exercise.
Do Vertical Climbers Build Muscle?
Vertical climbing machines do build muscles, specifically in your lower body.
By adding in other motions during use, vertical climbers can also work the rest of your body. This gives you a full body workout that you wouldn’t get with some other high-calorie burning units like exercise bikes.
What Muscles Does a Vertical Climber Work?
Vertical climbers have the ability to work almost every muscle on your body...
You can focus on your glutes, hamstrings, calves, and quads by holding onto the handles on the model and sitting into your climb.
You can also work your chest, arms, back, and core by adding an arm motion to your cardio workout.
Are Vertical Climbers Bad for Knees?
If used correctly, vertical climbers are not bad for knees.
They are low-impact exercise machines and won’t strain your knee and hip joints.
However, if your knee joints are already injured or weakened, then a vertical climber could aggravate pain or discomfort.
RECOMMENDATION
If you’re experiencing pain in your joints or knees, consult a doctor before purchasing a vertical climber to make sure you don’t injure yourself further.
Are Vertical Climbers Good for Weight Loss?
Vertical climbing machines are good for weight loss as they boost your metabolism, which in turn helps you burn more calories.
How Many Calories Does a Vertical Climber Burn?
Vertical climbers can burn a lot of calories, typically between 300 and 800 in just a 30-minute session.
Final Thoughts
Best Vertical Climber on a Budget
Top Pick
After looking at a wide range of the best vertical climbers, I think the top one overall is the MaxiClimber(r) – The Original Patented Vertical Climber.
Not only is this vertical climber easy to use, but it also comes with a lot of features like a foldable design, adjustable height levels, LCD readout, and even a free companion fitness app.
It comes 90% pre-assembled too so you don’t need to waste much time setting it up.
That said, the vertical climber can be a bit noisy and unsteady during use, and the LCD readout can sometimes become defective early on.
But other than those minor setbacks, the MaxiClimber Classic vertical climber is a fantastic option.
Other Great Options
My other top picks include the Doufit Vertical Climber Exercise Machine and Aceshin Vertical Climber Machine.
Best Vertical Climber on a Budget
Doufit’s vertical climber has 7 levels of adjustable heights, anti-skid rubber cap pedals, foldable design, foam-sleeve handles, and an LCD readout.
The only downfall of the vertical climber is its lack of fluidity during use.
Editor’s Choice
Aceshin’s vertical climber also has a foldable design, LCD readout, and comfortable handles.
One feature that sets it apart is its maximum weight limit which is 350 lbs – this is ideal for a range of body types. My only gripe with the machine is its noisiness during use.
Love To Hear Your Thoughts
I hope this guide on vertical climbing machines helped you find the best one for your workout.
Which vertical climber did you decide on? If you’re still unsure, you can check out other workout equipment reviews like best manual treadmill, best treadmill under 500, best rowing machine under $500, and best elliptical under 500.
Be sure to let me know on our social media sites, and check out our other posts to help you take the next big step in your fitness journey!
