Anyone who is looking for a super-challenging, full-body workout may want to consider a vertical climber.
Have you seen these rather unusual fitness machines? If so, then you may have wondered what muscles you would work if you exercised on one.
The answer is: The vertical climber works out the muscles in your lower body, upper body, and core.
Is a Vertical Climber worth it?
In fact, this is why so many people are turning to this relatively new and emerging exercise trend.
On a single piece of equipment and in one workout, you have the opportunity to work your lower body, upper body and core.
Don’t forget that this piece of equipment also provides you with a solid cardio sweat session.
That’s a lot of bang for your buck!
Whether you use one of these machines at the gym or decide to buy one to use at home, chances are good that the more you know about the vertical climber and what it can do for you, the more motivated you will be to keep working out.
Are Vertical Climbers Good for Weight Loss?
Vertical climbers are absolutely fantastic for weight loss. However, let’s start at the beginning.
These machines are designed to mimic climbing. Basically, if you picture yourself scaling the side of a peak in Yosemite National Park while you are doing this workout, you’re on the right track.
Accordingly, this is the perfect machine for anyone who has ever been intrigued by rock climbing but is made uncomfortable by heights.
It gives you a fantastic workout while keeping you close to the ground.
One of the reasons why this piece of equipment delivers such a great workout is that climbing is an absolutely natural movement for the human body to make.
In fact, your body was designed to climb, so you will quickly overcome any feelings of awkwardness on this machine.
One of the other reasons why you can lose weight with these workouts is that it combines cardio and strength training in an impressive one-two punch.
Unlike a stationary bike or a treadmill, you have to engage your whole body when you’re climbing.
This makes these workouts not only incredibly challenging but also extremely effective and rewarding. Most people find that these machines can kick their butts in only a few minutes.
While climbers may seem like new innovations, they have actually been around in one form or another for a few decades, with some of the earliest models being introduced in the 1980s.
However, some particularly well-developed models have come onto the market in recent years, which may make this seem like a new and innovative workout option.
How Do Vertical Climbers Work?
These machines can look a bit intimidating the first time you approach them. A typical model measures about seven feet tall and requires the climber to assume a 75 degree angle while in use.
If this is already making you feel a little uncomfortable, don’t worry! Most climbers have numerous safety features and are designed to keep you secure during your workout.
In fact, most models have sturdy straps that keep your feet securely in place as you climb. Notice that as you push down with one leg, the opposite arm goes down as well.
Thus, when your right hand pushes upward, your left leg moves upwards too.
Keep repeating a mantra to yourself: “Opposite hand, opposite foot.”
With a bit of repetition, this movement will begin to feel like second nature.
Most climbers have adjustable resistance. Additionally, the length of your movements can vary between a single inch and 20 inches.
This means that you can make the workout more or less challenging whenever you wish.
When you use a higher resistance level, this places a greater emphasis on building strength.
However, you also may want to spend some time using minimal resistance so that you can climb faster as this puts the focus on cardio.
Keep in mind that because you are moving your body vertically, which is somewhat unusual in most workouts, you will probably be engaging muscles that normally don’t get a lot of use.
In other words, you’ll probably be very sore tomorrow.
What Kind of Benefits Can You Get from Using a Vertical Climber?
One of the most common excuses that people give for not working out is that they simply don’t have the time. Fortunately, a vertical climber makes time a non-issue.
That’s because this is a workout that does not require hours to complete. Think of it as an efficient and effective total-body workout.
The machine itself is manually powered, which means that it moves as slow or as fast as you make it move.
As you exercise, you can vary factors such as resistance, speed and range of motion to get an effective sweat session. Accordingly, most people only spend about 20 to 45 minutes on this machine.
Of course, that is people who have used this machine for a while. When you are new to it, you might find yourself being exhausted after about three to five minutes.
Don’t let that worry you. It’s actually completely normal, and you will build up your strength and stamina over time.
One of the other major benefits of using a vertical climber is the number of calories that this machine helps you to burn.
In fact, exercise experts have found that regularly using this machine actually improves your VO2 max.
Basically, VO2 max refers to your oxygen uptake. When your body is capable of consuming more oxygen, then your body is more capable of effectively transforming that oxygen into energy.
All of this is just a really fancy way of saying that if you spend about 30 minutes on the vertical climber, you are likely to burn anywhere from 300 to 800 calories.
That is seriously impressive, especially if you are on a weight-loss journey.
Keep in mind that the number of calories you will burn depends upon factors such as how hard you work, how much you weight, the range of motion you use and the resistance level you use.
It also is critical to note that although you are getting a sensational fat-burning and muscle-building workout, every movement you are making is low impact.
Low-impact exercise means no jumping. That is much easier on your joints, and if you are recovering from any kind of injury or have a chronic condition like arthritis, that is incredibly welcome news.
If you think that low-impact exercise is easy, think again! Low-impact exercise can be high intensity, which is exactly what you get with a vertical climber.
You will be working harder than you ever have before, but your joints will still feel comfortable.
Many regular users of climbing machines also appreciate that this is a total-body workout. On one machine you can get in your resistance training and your cardio.
Your core, back, butt, legs, arms and shoulders are all going to feel this workout.
Why Should You Use a Vertical Climber?
Offering total-body workouts without the hassle, a vertical climber can become an essential part of your fitness routine.
Your arms will definitely take the brunt of the action for your upper body while using a climber, but they do not work in isolation. Instead, you will feel this workout in other body parts such as the:
- Forearms;
- Chest;
- Obliques;
- Abs;
- Upper back; and
- Lower back.
This actually makes a great deal of sense. Frequently, strength training involves isolating a certain muscle or group of muscles.
There’s nothing wrong with this type of training. In fact, it can be a really critical part of any fitness regimen.
However, during the daily activities of life, your muscles do not work in isolation. They all work together to produce some incredibly complex movements.
Accordingly, a total-body workout like you get when using vertical climbers helps to prepare you for meeting the challenges of everyday life.
These movements are more natural, and even if you never go climbing at Joshua Tree, just bringing in the groceries or climbing a flight of stairs will be made easier thanks to these workouts.
Of course, don’t forget that vertical climbers work your lower body as well. You need your legs and butt to jump and run and dance, so it’s crucial that you take the time to ensure that these muscle groups are toned and strong.
The good news is that vertical climbers can help with this. All at once, these machines help you to strengthen your:
- Hamstrings;
- Quadriceps;
- Glutes;
- Gastrocnemius;
- Soleus;
- Hip flexors; and
- Anterior tibialis.
Accordingly, a vertical climber machine workout will tone your upper legs and your lower legs as well as the muscles on the front and back of your legs.
That is the total package, and once again, all of those muscles are working in concert to produce coordinated movements, just as they do in real life.
Increase Your Health with a Vertical Climber
Exercise is a critical part of everyone’s lifestyle for any number of reasons. For instance, did you know that regular exercise actually can make you happier by releasing endorphins into your body?
If you do not like to exercise, then that might be a little hard to believe. However, if you power through a few workouts, you may begin to notice changes in your overall outlook.
Sure, a good workout makes you tired, but it also might make you feel fantastic.
It’s additionally essential to consider how your self-confidence could improve with regular exercise.
How many times have you considered taking on a regular fitness regimen only to encounter self-defeating thoughts like, “I could never do that!”
However, when you exercise on a regular basis, your mindset changes. You start to see that you actually can do all of those hard things, and this gives your self-confidence a boost.
When you commit to challenging workouts, like using a climber, you’ll begin to feel a burst of confidence in other areas of your life as well.
That’s because you’re using less self-defeating self-talk. Instead of always thinking, “I can’t,” you are now thinking, “I can!”
Recommended Vertical Climbers
| Doufit Vertical Climber | RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE Vertical Climber | Maxi Climber |
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| What we like about the Doufit Vertical Climber is that it comes with the most adjustable heights among our recommended vertical climbers. | What we like about the RELIFE REBUILD YOUR LIFE Vertical Climber is that it is the most durable of our recommended vertical climber exercise machines, perfect for heavier users or more vigorous workouts. | The Maxi Climber is for the tech-savvy user as it comes with the ability to synch up with a dedicated fitness app for your workout statistics. |
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Final Thoughts
Using vertical climbers in your workout is a serious challenge. These machines are not for anyone who is less than determined to get fitter.
However, it is critical to realize that this particular piece of gym equipment can seem really intimidating to many people before they try it.
Be mentally prepared to experience a bit of awkwardness in the first few minutes of use.
Then, your natural coordination starts to take over. Climbing is a perfectly natural movement for your body, and you will soon start to realize this.
It also is helpful to recall that you are in total control when you use a climber.
You decide how fast to go, how much range you use and the level of resistance. Because you are in the driver’s seat, you can decide how hard you work.
Try not to get discouraged if you find that you are absolutely winded after a few minutes on this machine.
Remember that this workout is an exceptionally challenging one. Commit to increasing your time spent on the machine by a minute or two each week.
You may surprise yourself by how quickly you get acclimated and start doing 30-minute workouts.
Vertical climbers are a total body fitness solution, but that does not mean that you can’t mix it up with other cardio and strength training disciplines.
In fact, this is a great way to keep things interesting.
Challenge yourself to a climber workout today to see just how far you can go.
