Tired of doing the same exercises, repackaged in different ways?
The Maxi Climber Vertical Climber mimics the movement of rock climbing and takes up a lot less space. While it’s perfect training for rock climbers, anybody can enjoy a muscle toning workout with this unique machine.
Features
- Ergonomically designed for all body types, features adjustable height
- Isometric non-stick grips
- Personal workout timer starts and stops when you do
- Compact folding design allows for easy storage
So why should I get a Maxi Climber?
By using only your bodyweight, this machine will give you a full body workout without any added stress on the lower joints of the body. It also gives you a more efficient cardio workout than either a stationary bike or a treadmill. An hour workout on the Maxi Climber burned an average of 500 calories. On the other hand, riding an exercise bike for the same length of time at a speed of 10.5 MPH with moderate resistance only burns an average of 330 calories. Walking on a treadmill at a speed of 3 mph with a 1.5% incline burns an average of 250 calories, half that of the Maxi Climber.
Quality
Some users have described the material as cheap looking, but for the reasonable price, one can only expect so much. I was more concerned about the durability and functionality of the machine. It holds up quite well, even for heavier users. It is designed for users up to 240 pounds but users up to 300 pounds have reported the climber working wonders for them.
The Maxi Climber is made primarily of cold-rolled steel which makes it much more durable than similar products made of cheap metal or plastic.
Design
- Small size: As gym equipment goes, the Maxi Climber is quite compact. It’s 22 inches wide, 36 inches deep, and up to 79 inches high, depending on the user’s height. You need to leave some open space to allow the machine to move properly and give your body plenty of space. Even so, this takes up much less space than say a treadmill.
- Ergonomic Design: It’s designed to mimic the natural movement of climbing limiting stress on your joints and strengthening all areas of the body. The hand grips work in unison with the foot pedals so that the users arms and legs work together in proper form. The height of the foot pedals adjusts so you can match the machine’s height to your body.
- Isometric Non-slip Hand Grips: This machine features two sets of handles, one static and one moveable. All grips are ergonomic and provide a solid grip, even with sweaty hands. The moveable grips offer the best full-body exercise working your arms, shoulders, back and core in addition to your leg muscles.
While these handles are preferred, sometimes you just need to rest your upper body. That’s why the static handles exist. You can grab them in the middle of exercise to focus completely on the legs, or do alternating sets on the two sets of handles. The great thing about this machine is the ability to customize your workout to fit individual user’s needs.
Benefits of a Vertical Climber
In addition to the increased caloric burn that a vertical climber provides, there are several benefits. First, exercising on a vertical climber has very little impact on the joints. In this respect, it is similar to an elliptical machine because the foot pedals stay with your feet as you climb. On the other hand, each repetition on a vertical climber is much more work (and more reward) for your whole body than running on an elliptical. Climbing can become exhausting quick so it’s important to rest frequently, especially when you first start using a climber. Otherwise your joints can suffer even though there is very little impact. As you get stronger, you can increase your exercise time but make sure to stop if you experience any joint pain.
Vertical climbers will also build strength like no other cardio equipment. They help build lean muscle because they are using the body’s weight as resistance. It’s similar to many HIIT exercises that work the whole body by only using the body weight itself to tone muscles.
While you may think that these machines only work the lower body, the foot pedals work in unison with the hand grips to work muscles all over the body.
Checkout the Maxi Climber in action!
Maxi Climber vs Other Vertical Climbing Machines
How does the Maxi Climber stack up against other climbers? Let’s compare it to the other two most popular machines, the Conquer Vertical Climber and the Merax Vertical Climber.
Price
The Merax Vertical Climber is the most affordable which is a great deal for an excellent climber. While designed for heavier users, it can be used by anyone. However, it’s the newest of the three and the most difficult to contact in case there was a problem with your machine. The conquer machine is much more popular and only costs a fraction more than the Merax making it a great option for budget customers who also want the validation of customer feedback. While the Maxi Climber is a bit pricier, there is some added comfort that I’ll discuss in the next section. It is the most popular climbing machine on the market and the best option if you can afford it.
Comfort
All three machines feature movable and static handles with ergonomic hand grips and provide the same level of resistance. Furthermore, all three machines have non-slip feet to keep them stable while climbing. The Merax Climber is built for bigger users and is more comfortable for users over 220 pounds. The Maxi Climber foot pedals are slightly wider than the Conquer foot pedals, making it more comfortable for extended periods of time. If you’re planning on spending a decent amount of time on your climber, the Maxi Climber is worth the extra cost.