The Best Vertical Climbers to Get Your Heart Pumping and Help You Build Muscle

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If you’re outfitting your home gym with fitness equipment, chances are you’re working within a budget and have limited floor space. That means you need to get maximum value from every piece of equipment you purchase. Vertical climbers deliver an intense and efficient full-body workout, and they take up minimal space. They mimic the action of climbing a mountain; engaging everything from your legs, to your arms, to your core. Available at multiple price points, these machines can help you to get a comprehensive workout right at home, and they’re an excellent addition to your home gym.

As you shop for a vertical climber, you’ll quickly find that they aren’t all the same. That’s why we’ve created this guide highlighting the different types available, why each one is beneficial, how to use them and what you need to consider when deciding which vertical climber is right for you. With the information in this guide, you can narrow down your options and make a well-informed buying decision.

Our Picks for the Best Vertical Climbers in 2024:

• Best Multipurpose Vertical Climber: Sole Fitness CC81 Cardio Climber
• Best Vertical Climber with Resistance: CLMBR Connected 02
• Best Vertical Climber with a Display: ProForm Carbon HIIT H10
• Best Vertical Climber for Beginners: Sunny Health and Fitness Premium Cardio Climber Machine
• Best High-End Vertical Climber: Rogue Fitness VersaClimber SM Sport Model
• Best Budget Vertical Climber: MaxiClimber Vertical Climber
• Best Vertical Climber for Small Spaces: Sportsroyals Stair Stepper and Vertical Climber
• Best Foldable Vertical Climber: Relife Rebuild Your Life Vertical Climber

Best Multipurpose Vertical Climber: Sole Fitness CC81 Cardio Climber

Key features and specs

• Dimensions: 86 inches x 59 inches x 31 inches
• Machine weight: 265 pounds
• Max user weight capacity: 400 pounds
• Built-in display: Yes, five-inch x three-inch LCD screen
• Assembly required: Yes
• Warranty: Lifetime frame, five-year electronics and parts, two-year labor warranty

The Sole Fitness CC81 Cardio Climber delivers a full-body workout with plenty of variety. Its resistance dial allows you to choose between high-intensity and rest periods, and the machine features a sound system to help you power through your workouts. Tablet and water bottle holders are convenient additions. The adjustable handlebars feature four height settings, so several users can adjust the machine to their needs. The climber also features a heart rate monitor and includes a chest strap.

Sole Fitness offers options to purchase a one-year Studio membership with your climber, or utilize a free 90-day trial of Studio before purchasing a monthly membership of the app. With Studio, you can access more than 3,000 workout routines as well as dozens of programs. A community-driven leaderboard helps to keep you motivated and gives you the option to earn FITCOIN and redeem them for prizes.

13/15 customer reviewers recommended the Cardio Climber on the Sole Treadmills website. One reviewer wrote, "Our family has a Peloton bike and Sole elliptical, but the Cardio Climber is now my go to cardio machine. I can feel it in my upper body and abs, as well as my glutes and legs. The only negative is that the maximum resistance should be harder.” However, several reviews referenced damage to the plastic flywheel and chain covers and difficulty getting the heart rate monitor to work.

Pros:

• Generous 400-pound maximum weight
• Easy-to-use resistance dial
• Adjustable handlebars with four height settings

Cons:

• Studio membership is $199 per year or $19.99 per month

Best Vertical Climber with Resistance: CLMBR Connected 02

Key features and specs

• Dimensions: Base: 35 inches x 32 inches, Height: 88 inches
• Machine weight: 180 pounds
• Max user weight capacity: 350 pounds
• Built-in display: 21-inch HD touchscreen, customizable home screen with 36 widgets
• Assembly required: Yes, white glove delivery and setup is available
• Warranty: One-year comprehensive warranty against manufacturing defects

The CLMBR Connected 02, currently available for pre-order, includes key enhancements designed to make it even better than the original CLMBR Connected. This vertical climber has been re-engineered with a sleek look and is constructed so you can largely see through the machine. It takes up just three square feet of floor space, so it’s a piece of equipment you could add to a living room, den, basement or bedroom.

The handles deliver plenty of head clearance, and the pedals are designed to prevent the straps from being caught when you rotate them. Eleven resistance settings allow you to customize your workouts. The machine features an upgraded HD touch display and is fully equipped with WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities. That display includes a custom dashboard full of metrics, such as your completed workout, calories burned, session time and even a quote of the day. If you invest in a CLIMBR on-demand subscription, you can access immersive workout classes and guided climbs to keep your workouts engaging and fresh.

While the CLMBR Connected 02 doesn’t yet have reviews, the original CLMBR Connected received a 3.3/5 star rating on Amazon. Users praised the quality of the workouts it delivered, but noted that the machine needed more resistance, which the CLMBR Connected 02 model promises to deliver. One reviewer wrote, “The combination of strength, cardio, good music and charismatic yet different instructors makes this stand out among the rest. I use it basically every day and aesthetically it looks great in our sunroom, and it doesn’t take up a lot of space.”

For more information on this vertical climber, check out our in-depth CLMBR review.

Pros:

• Requires just three square feet of floor space
• Choose from 11 resistance settings
• Three handle positions allow for customized comfort

Cons:

• Must be more than five feet and less than seven feet tall to use
• CLMBR on-demand subscription costs $39.99 per month

Best Vertical Climber with a Display: ProForm Carbon HIIT H10

Key features and specs

• Dimensions: 29.25 inches x 52 inches x 66.7 inches
• Machine weight: 225 pounds
• Max user weight capacity: 325 pounds
• Built-in display: 10-inch smart HD touchscreen
• Assembly required: Yes
• Warranty: 10-year frame warranty, two-year parts warranty and one-year labor warranty

The ProForm Carbon HIIT H10 is a top-of-the-line machine with plenty of extras to make your workout more enjoyable. Silent magnetic resistance (SMR) provides a quiet and smooth workout, while oversized cushioned pedals aim to maximize your comfort. The HIIT H10 features a water bottle holder to keep your drink easily accessible, and this climber is even outfitted with a CoolAire workout fan to help you stay cool while working up a sweat. While the climber has a compact footprint, it also features front-mounted transport wheels if you need to move it around.

A big highlight of this model is its 10-inch smart HD touchscreen that makes it easy to find your next workout and see your metrics. Your purchase includes a three-year iFIT membership, giving you access to thousands of interactive studio classes and outdoor workouts. You can watch those workouts on the climber, or participate in interactive training sessions where iFIT trainers control your climber’s resistance and guide you through a workout.

Pros:

• iFIT membership provides access to recorded classes and interactive training sessions
• CoolAire workout fan for comfort
• Small footprint means this machine doesn’t take up a ton of floor space

Cons:

• iFIT costs $39 per month after the end of the three-year period

Best Vertical Climber for Beginners: Sunny Health and Fitness Premium Cardio Climber Machine

Key features and specs

• Dimensions: 44 inches x 25 inches x 64 inches
• Machine weight: 94.8 pounds
• Max user weight capacity: 260 pounds
• Built-in display: Yes, includes time, RPM, speed, distance, calories, pulse, calendar, clock and thermometer
• Assembly required: Yes, all tools are included
• Warranty: Three-year frame warranty, 180-day warranty on other parts and components

The Sunny Health and Fitness Premium Cardio Climber Machine includes all of the features you need for a successful introduction to vertical climbing workouts. Its eight-level adjustable magnetic resistance allows you to customize your workout intensity, while pulse sensors help you to monitor your target heart rate. Other highlights include a water bottle holder and oversized textured non-slip pedals to keep you comfortable.

In addition to a built-in display with essential data like speed, distance, RPM and calories burned, the machine features a device holder, so you can watch videos, listen to music or catch up on your favorite TV show. You can also use your device to access the library of free workout videos available on the Sunny Health and Fitness website.

This vertical climber has received a 4.6/5 star rating on the Sunny Health and Fitness site. Many reviewers noted the easy assembly and the machine’s quiet operation: “I love the fact that it is not a giant piece of machinery,” wrote one reviewer, “It was easy to set up, it is easy to use and I love how I feel when I’m done working out on it. It is definitely worth what I paid for it.”

Pros:

• Eight resistance levels
• Pulse sensors track your heart rate
• Oversized non-slip pedals for more comfortable workouts

Cons:

• 260-pound weight limit
• Somewhat basic display screen

Best High-End Vertical Climber: Rogue Fitness VersaClimber SM Sport Model

Key features and specs

• Dimensions: Base: 43 inches x 46 inches, Height: seven feet x 10 inches
• Machine weight: 150 pounds
• Max user weight capacity: 350 pounds
• Built-in display: Yes, includes six race and six distance programs
• Assembly required: Yes
• Warranty: Varies depending on components; structural welds and frames have a limited lifetime warranty

The Rogue Fitness VersaClimber SM Sport Model gives you plenty of options for your workout, from available add-ons to its variable resistance. When you order the climber, you can choose from a stand-alone or a wall-mount option. It comes standard without Bluetooth, or you can upgrade to Bluetooth compatibility with voice feedback to help keep you motivated through the workout. You can also order an optional mat for the machine or purchase optional arm extenders, which ensure a better fit if you’re more than six feet, three inches tall.

As you workout, you can adjust the machine to your preferences. Access six race and six distance programs with the built-in display, and use the heart rate monitor to track your workout intensity. The step and arm height is adjustable from one to 20 inches, so you can focus on long toning strides or explosive leg movements. Variable resistance settings let you tailor your workouts for maximum results.

Check out our in-depth Versaclimber review for more information. 

The vertical climber has a 4.4/5 star review on Rogue Fitness. Reviewers praised the overall quality of the machine, as well as the intensity of the workouts that it delivers. One reviewer wrote, “I’ve wanted a VersaClimber for about eight years, I’m happier having it than I thought I would be. I recommend it for everyone, it’ll fit in most spaces, it'll last at least a lifetime, it takes minimal effort to start using and it’s scalable to all fitness levels.”

Pros:

• Lots of add-on options, like Bluetooth connectivity and arm extenders
• Variable resistance for a customized workout
• Heart rate monitor helps you track your workout intensity

Cons:

• Ships in two to three weeks

Best Budget Vertical Climber: MaxiClimber Vertical Climber

Key features and specs

• Dimensions: 57 inches x 10 inches x 6 inches
• Machine weight: 33 pounds
• Max user weight capacity: 250 pounds
• Built-in display: Battery-powered step counter
• Assembly required: Yes, comes 90 percent pre-assembled; expert assembly available for $120
• Warranty: One-year warranty

The MaxiClimber Vertical Climber may not have the advanced features of other vertical climbers, but it still provides a low-impact cardio workout. Because the climber lacks advanced features, it’s affordably priced.

This intro-level machine weighs just 33 pounds, so it’s easy to move, and it even folds up for storage. That design makes it an ideal choice for homes with limited space because you can push the climber into a corner of the room once you’re done with your workout.

This climber arrives 90 percent assembled. There’s no ability to adjust the machine’s resistance, since it relies on body weight, but it still provides a quality workout. The climber includes a battery-powered step counter to help you track your workouts.

You can also download the free MaxiClimber Fitness App, which is available for both iOS and Android. It features on-demand fitness coaching, a 21-day interval program and a 21-day meal plan with more than 80 recipes.

The MaxiClimber Vertical Climber received a 4.3/5 star rating on Amazon. Multiple reviewers noted that the machine has small, studded foot pedals, so you need to wear training shoes while using it. Reviewers also commented on the installation process, noting that it was fairly easy to assemble the climber. Many reviewers commented on the quality of their workouts, with one reviewer writing, “Adding this to my usual workout has been amazing. It hits muscles that the bike and weights miss.”

Pros:

• Weighs just 33 pounds and folds up for storage
• Free app with recipes, coaching and an interval program
• Battery-powered step counter helps you to track your progress

Cons:

• Requires some assembly
• No resistance adjustments

Best Vertical Climber for Small Spaces: Sportsroyals Stair Stepper and Vertical Climber

Key features and specs

• Dimensions: 30 inches x 16 inches x 9 inches when folded
• Machine weight: 32 pounds
• Max user weight capacity: 300 pounds
• Built-in display: LCD monitor with scan, time, distance, speed and calories information
• Assembly required: Yes, comes 90 percent pre-assembled
• Warranty: One-year warranty

The Sportsroyals Stair Stepper and Vertical Climber has a compact design, but isn’t short on features to deliver a quality workout. Steel springs are designed to reduce the impact on your knees and ankles, while wear-resistant pulleys help to minimize friction for a quiet and smooth workout. The handle height is adjustable in five increments from 3.9 to 19.7 inches, so you can find the most comfortable position for you. Large slip-resistant pedals create a safe and sturdy base while you climb, and suction cups along the base help keep the machine stable. The climber also features a basic LCD monitor that lets you track key stats like speed, distance, time and calories burned.

Related Post: The Best Stair Steppers for Your Home Gym 

When you’re done with your workout, the vertical climber folds up to save space. It’s made of steel alloy, so while strong, it also weighs just 32 pounds. That lightweight design makes it easy to move it into a corner of the room or a closet for efficient storage.

This climber has a 4.4/5 star rating on Amazon. Several reviewers commented on how easily they can move the climber around, and many mentioned how quiet the workouts are. One reviewer wrote, “I can do a quality workout anytime I want. I can even put it in my car and carry it with me when I travel and stay in [a] hotel.”

Pros:

• Folds up for easy storage
• Adjustable handle height levels
• Springs and pulleys minimize friction

Cons:

• No resistance adjustment
• Basic LCD monitor

Best Foldable Vertical Climber: Relife Rebuild Your Life Vertical Climber

Key features and specs

• Dimensions: 37.5 inches x 28 inches x 85 inches
• Machine weight: 43 pounds
• Max user weight capacity: 260 pounds
• Built-in display: No
• Assembly required: Yes
• Warranty: One-year warranty on frame, lifetime warranty on other parts

If you want to buy a vertical climber, but have limited space, the Relife Rebuild Your Life Vertical Climber may be the right fit. This climber takes up minimal floor space, and when you’re done with your workout, it folds up to 72 inches x 28 inches x 16.1 inches. Weighing 43 pounds, the climber can be tucked into a corner of the room or fit it into a closet.

While this machine is one of the lightest climbers you’ll find, its steel frame lends it stability and strength. The slight incline of the pedals also puts your center of gravity close to the machine and is designed to create a more stable feel. Five adjustable levels mean you can vary your workout intensity, while high-density anti-slip foam handles aim to provide a secure and comfortable grip.

This climber received a 4.2/5 star rating on Amazon. Many reviews praised the machine’s affordable price, though several mentioned that the machine doesn’t glide smoothly and that its use generates noise. One reviewer wrote, “When you’re done exercising, the unit folds up very thin and stands stable on its own, so it takes up very little space when not in use. This is not a commercial gym quality piece of equipment, but perfectly suitable for a home gym.”

Pros:

• Lightweight at just 43 pounds
• Easily folds up for storage
• Five adjustable intensity levels

Cons:

• Minimal features
• Movement isn’t as smooth as some other machines, according to reviewers

Benefits of Using a Vertical Climber

Vertical climbers provide cardio and aerobic workouts with strength training, so you get a comprehensive and efficient workout. Exercise physiologist Christopher Travers, MS, tells Cleveland Clinic that vertical climbers differ from other cardio machines like bikes and treadmills because they engage the entire body, including multiple muscle groups. When you use a vertical climber that features adjustable resistance, you can set it higher to focus on strength building or lower for more of a cardio workout.

Since your feet remain on the pedals at all times, vertical climbing is a low-impact workout. Research shows low-impact workouts can help to minimize stress and strain on your joints, and are ideal if you have joint pain that makes other activities, like running, uncomfortable. Plus, since you power the vertical climber, you can easily set and adjust your pace.

Lastly, vertical climbers can make the most of even minimal floor space. Their upright construction is a naturally space-saving design, so you can fit this exercise equipment into spaces that couldn’t accommodate options like ellipticals or rowing machines.

What to Look for in a Vertical Climber

With so many vertical climbers to choose from, it’s important to know what to look for to spot a quality machine. The following factors can help narrow down your options to find the best vertical climber for you.

Resistance

The most basic vertical climbers use your body and gravity as resistance. While they can give you a good workout, the level of intensity of your workout is determined by you. Higher-quality machines feature multiple resistance levels that allow you to make your workouts more vigorous. The ability to change the resistance can help you to continue to progress toward your fitness goals and keep each session challenging, even as you get fitter and stronger.

Portability

If your home gym is a corner of your living room or office, you’ll need to be able to easily move your fitness equipment around. Even if you have a designated gym space in your basement or garage, choosing a vertical climber that’s portable makes it easier to rearrange the space if needed.

Consider a machine’s overall weight and whether you can easily move it. Some machines weigh less than 100 pounds, while others can weigh several hundred pounds. Many vertical climbers are equipped with wheels to help you move them. If space is tight, you may want to consider one of the foldable models, so you can move it into a corner or even a closet once you’re done working out.

Cost

Vertical climbers can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Even the most budget-friendly models can provide an intense workout. However, they will lack some of the higher-end features, like built-in screens and heart rate monitors that you’ll find in the more expensive machines. Keep in mind that a vertical climber can target your upper body, lower body and core, so it’s possible that with a vertical climber, you could avoid buying several other pieces of gym equipment and ultimately save money.

How to Choose the Best Vertical Climber for You

While all of the vertical climbing machines included above are quality options, only you can decide which one is right for your home gym.

To narrow down your options, start by measuring the space that you have available. Do you need a machine that folds up and that you can easily roll out of the way when not in use?

Next, make sure that the machine is a good fit for you. Consider whether you’re within its weight capacity, and if you’re tall, you may want to look for a climber with adjustable height handles.

Finally, consider which features are most important to you. Perks like adjustable resistance, heart rate monitors and access to fitness classes can maximize the value that you get out of every workout.

How Does a Vertical Climber Stack Up Against Exercise Bikes, Ellipticals and Stair Climbers?

Vertical climbers, exercise bikes, ellipticals and stair climbers can all deliver high-quality home workouts, but they function in slightly different ways. Ellipticals deliver upright, standing workouts that tend to focus on the lower body, though some machines also feature arm poles for a full-body workout. Exercise bikes also focus largely on your lower body, so if you want to work out your upper body, you will need a second piece of exercise equipment.

Climbing delivers a highly efficient workout. Chris Kolba, a physical therapist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told the U.S. News & World Report that when you climb, you are working against gravity for a more intense workout. As a result, climbing delivers more cardiovascular, muscular and endurance benefits than ellipticals and other fitness machines.

Both vertical climbers and stair climbers feature intense climbing motion, but they do so differently. Stair climbers tend to be simpler machines, and many of them focus just on your legs. If you’re looking for a full-body workout, a vertical climber is the way to go, since it gets both your arms and your legs working against gravity.

Vertical Climber FAQs

Can you build muscle with a vertical climber?

Yes, a vertical climber combines cardio, aerobic and strength training to work your lower body, upper body and core. It can help to build muscle in all three areas.

Does a vertical climber build glutes?

Yes, a vertical climber builds your glutes. It also helps to strengthen your quadriceps, hamstrings and hip flexors.

What muscles does a vertical climber work?

Vertical climbers work glutes, hamstrings, quads and arms, as well as your back, chest and core. You can alter your grip to target different muscles in your upper body. For example, an underhand grip will target your biceps, while an overhand grip targets your upper back.

Is a vertical climber easy on your knees?

Climbing delivers a low-impact workout that’s easy on your joints, including your knees.

Are vertical climbers better than treadmills?

Vertical climbers offer some benefits that you won’t get from a treadmill, but the machines also create different types of workouts, so neither is truly better than the other. A vertical climber is a great choice if you’re looking for a time-efficient workout that targets your entire body. Vertical climbers provide a total-body, yet low-impact workout, so it may be the best choice for you if you have joint pain.

Final Thoughts

A vertical climber is an efficient way to get in a total body workout right at home. Vertical climbers are available in a wide range of price points and models; everything from the basic, foldable design to a top-quality machine like you would find at a professional gym. The variety in the machines means you’ll be able to find one that fits your budget and the available space in your home and that meets your workout goals. Investing in a vertical climber can be a fantastic way to focus on your overall health, whether you’re looking to build strength and muscle or want to focus on cardio and endurance.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.