The 10 Best Vertical Climbers, Recommended by Certified Personal Trainers

We selected this freestanding vertical climbing machine as our best overall option largely because it adjusts to your height so you’re in a comfortable, upright position as you break a sweat. It can hold up to 240 pounds safely, comes almost fully assembled, and easily folds up so you can store it out of the way when you’re not using it.

The foam handlebars offer a firm, easy grip while the foot pedals have lugs to keep you from slipping as you climb quickly. We like that the vertical climber also comes with an app, which gives you workouts to do on the machine and challenges you to hit your fitness goals and track your progress.

The footprint of this machine is smaller than others on this list, and it gets even smaller when you fold it up for safe and easy storage. Adjustable to five different heights, we like that this machine is great for both short and tall climbers. And it offers different intensity levels so you can keep challenging yourself over time.

Holding up to 290 pounds, it has durable, textured foot pedals and non-slip grips underneath the machine, so you don’t have to worry about it moving around or your feet slipping off the steps as you climb. With the small monitor, you can check out your calories burned and the total number of steps you’ve climbed during your workout.

We love that you can get two cardio workouts in one with this vertical climber and exercise bike hybrid machine. Stand up on the front of the machine to tackle the climbing, or sit down on the seat in the back to pedal through some miles, just as you would on other stationary bikes.

The screen on the front of the machine will tell you your overall distance covered, calories burned, and the total time you spent climbing, so you can easily track your progress. The steel frame holds up to 220 pounds.

We particularly recommend this pick for those looking to get a good climbing workout in a small space. When fully set up, this vertical climber spans 37.5 inches deep, 28 inches wide, and up to 85 inches high. Folded up, it’s even smaller and can come down in height to reach just 69 inches.

When using the machine, increasing the height also means you’re increasing the difficulty of the exercise—so just make sure you don’t overstretch yourself.

This machine also has a few features that help prevent wear and tear over time, such as a nylon liner and metal guide rails, both of which help to keep the climber quiet as you move. It also has rubber features that won’t wear out as you move the handles and pedals up and down.

As a newbie, our experts say it’s always helpful to see your stats so you can monitor your progress, and this machine has a screen that tells your time, speed, distance, and calories burned. Make a mental note (or even write down your stats) and try to beat those numbers as you progress through your workout plan.

We like that this lightweight yet sturdy vertical climber also comes with two handlebars on each side with two different grip options, so you can test which grip is most comfortable for your body, especially as you get used to the movement. Like other machines, you can also fold this one up and store it away conveniently when you’re not using it.

It’s also worth noting that this machine has a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds, which is quite a bit more than most other vertical climbers can handle.

If you’re looking to take your workout to the next level, we recommend a high-quality machine like the VersaClimber. In addition to the traditional vertical climber features—like an adjustable pedal height, adjustable handlebars, and a sturdy steel frame—the VersaClimber offers 16 pre-set training programs that will kick your workout up a notch. It even features a race mode to help you push your speed and test your cardio capacity.

If you want to focus only on your legs one day, you can also hold onto the steady side handlebars and use the machine as a regular stair stepper—a great way to target the lower half and build powerful, strong glutes, quads, and hamstrings.

You can also stand on the floor and focus solely on your upper body, building strength in the shoulders, arms, chest, and back.

Turn up the burn on your vertical climbing workout with this machine, which features various resistance levels. We like that users can choose from 12 different intensities for a challenge, no matter your fitness level. The aluminum frame gives you the sturdiness you need without making the machine feel bulky. Meanwhile, the roller design makes this advanced climber run smoother and quieter than the regular MaxiClimber.

You still get the typical features that come with other vertical climbers as well—like adjustable height, a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds, and a folding design for simple storage. This one also has wheels, so you can easily bring it in and out of storage, plus an anti-sliding mechanism keeps the machine in place once you start climbing.

For a fully-immersive, studio-like experience, we recommend the CLMBR vertical climber. Equipped with a large, high-definition touchscreen display and a powerful, built-in sound system, it rivals machines found in high-end gyms (with a price tag to match). It also offers convenient access to on-demand, instructor-led fitness classes with a paid membership.

Well-constructed and durable, the machine has ergonomic handles that can be adjusted at 1-inch increments for a custom-like fit. With a max user weight of 350 pounds, the CLMBR also features oversized and textured foot pedals that keep you steady and secure as you’re climbing. The 11 discrete magnetic resistance settings allow you to customize your climb and stay on track during classes.

When you’re done, the built-in, heavy-duty caster wheels make it effortless to glide the machine out of the way. You can sync your CLMBR profile across all of your devices and access all your stats—including speed, distance, and strength—to track your progress.

If you’re more comfortable working out at home than going to a gym, setting up your own fitness space may be preferable. That’s why we like the foldable and compact design of the ANCHEER Vertical Climber, which can easily be incorporated into your home gym—even if you don’t have much space to work with.

No matter your height or body shape, you can adjust the climber to one of five height levels to ensure a comfortable workout. And to increase your level of comfort, it also features padded foam handles to minimize the chance of calluses or blisters on your hands. Another feature that stands out to us is the large grippy feet of the climber—an essential safety measure that keeps it in one place through your most intense workouts.

The ANCHEER Vertical Climber has a 350-pound weight capacity, which is on the higher end of products in this list. And while some people say that the foot pedals are a bit too small, other characteristics—like the easy-to-read display that tracks distance, speed, and calories burned—make this a good choice for anyone looking for a compact climber to add to their routine.