The 9 Best Stair Climbers
Where Can You Find the Best Stair Climbers?
Stair climbers, often known as "stair steppers,” have been around fitness centers for about 40 years. They're a refreshing change to the treadmill and exercise bike, and offer an intense workout. Depending on factors such as your fitness level, age, weight, and chosen resistance level, you could burn an impressive 500 calories in about half an hour on a stair climber.
There are a variety of reasons why stair climbers are so popular. For example, stair climbers are renowned for their effectiveness in calorie burning and weight loss. The rhythmic movement engages major muscle groups such as the legs, glutes, and core, leading to an efficient way to burn calories. This makes stair climbing an attractive option for individuals aiming to shed excess weight or maintain a healthy weight.
Friday, October 4th
2024 Stair Climber Reviews
Bowflex
BowFlex stair climbers offer you a high-intensity stair workout on a quiet, sturdy machine that takes up less room than a treadmill. You can get up to 20 resistance levels for a tight lower-body workout and use the six grip handlebars for a complete upper body workout. Get the JRNY app for personalized classes, and you're all set. For the price, reliability, and free shipping, BowFlex Max Trainer stair climbers are our #1 pick in home-gym stair climbers.
Xterra
Xterra's Seated Stair Stepper RXS1500 is a unique stair stepper in that it's recumbent: enjoy your stair workout from a seated position, while still working both upper and lower body. The Xterra Seated Stepper fits comfortably in many homes as you don't have to worry about ceiling height, like you might on some standing steppers. For the workout, durability, customer service, warranty, and price, we rate Xterra's Stair Stepper RXS 1500 quite highly.
ProForm
ProForm offers three stair climbers, and two are free if you're willing to invest in the interactive classes and other HD features. It really is a great deal, no matter which model you choose. ProForm stair climbers are quiet, and even have two front wheels on the base, making it super easy to move the machine if you need to. For a home stair climber, it's really a no-brainer, making ProForm one of our top choices.
Jacobs Ladder
Stair Master is the parent company of Jacobs Ladder, delivering a durable, trustworthy stair climber to your door. It takes up more floor space than other brands, but a benefit is that most Jacobs Ladder models don't require an electrical outlet to function. And although they tend to be more expensive, Jacobs Ladder's reputation is impeccable and they have a very good warranty.
Sunny
Sunny Stair Stepper Machines are compact, easy to assemble, come with free videos, and don't require electricity. If you're new to stair climbers or stair steppers, Sunny is a great way to start and you have free access to all their workout videos. These machines aren't the heavy-duty stair climbers that you've seen at fitness centers, but Sunny's equipment will save you at least $1,000.
Matrix
The Matrix Climbmill C50 is a sturdy machine taking up a smaller footprint so it can fit nicely in a home gym. With one model to choose from, the choice is simple - your only decision is which screen to have mounted (and if you should get a cup holder). The satisfaction guarantee is only 30 days, but the warranty is 5 years on parts so that's not bad. Unfortunately, not a lot of customers have posted reviews to communicate how the Climbmill fares in the home setting and if it holds up. We give Matrix an above-average rating, but it would take more user feedback for the brand to move up in our rankings.
MaxiClimber
If you're new to stair climbing and don't want to invest into a pricey machine, consider MaxiClimber Classic or XL. Neither takes up a lot of room in your house, it's foldable, and comes 90% already assembled. It's not the most sturdy, the guarantee isn't the best, and if you're tall or heavy, MaxiClimber was not made for you. But then again, it's small and inexpensive, earning this home fitness equipment a decent rating from us.
Precor
If you want that workout you get in a gym brought to the convenience of your home, Precor has the machine for you. In fact, you may feel like you took that machine right home with you. Precor StairClimber SCL 835 is a strong, steady stair stepping machine, one that will definitely hold up to your intense workout. The step surface is comfortable and safe for even the largest foot. However, the price is quite steep and the warranty is lacking, so we can't put Precor on the top of the list of stair climbers we recommend.
CLMBR
CLMBR is a stair stepper that doesn't take up a lot of floor space and that has a sturdy frame with movable handles and foot pedals. There's a screen to display metrics and stream classes as long as you have the subscription plan. It's a pretty basic machine that costs a pretty penny. There are a few consumers who aren't happy with the assembly and the additional cost of classes. In addition, the details on CLMBR's warranty and satisfaction guarantee aren't available on their site. For these reasons and more, the CLMBR 02 is not at the top of our list.
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Another reason why stair climbers are popular is their efficiency in providing a cardiovascular workout. The repetitive motion of climbing stairs elevates the heart rate, enhancing blood circulation and promoting cardiovascular fitness. This aerobic exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy heart and lungs, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and improving overall endurance. Stair climbers offer an alternative to high-impact cardiovascular activities like running, making them accessible to a broader demographic, including individuals with joint issues or those seeking a gentler form of exercise.
The low-impact nature of stair climbing is another key factor contributing to its popularity. Unlike high-impact exercises that can put stress on the joints and increase the risk of injury, stair climbing provides a challenging workout with minimal impact. This makes it an ideal choice for individuals with joint concerns, older adults, or those recovering from injuries who still want to engage in effective exercise without compromising their joint health.
Are you wondering which stair climber or stepper suits you best? There are a few styles available. There's a "stair mill” where you literally climb stairs that resemble a rotating staircase like an escalator at the mall. The intensity of the workout is determined by the speed you choose. These machines are the heaviest yet sturdiest of the stair climbers, and although they can take up more space in your room, they offer pretty intense workouts, just like the stair climbers in the gym.
Another form is the stair stepper. You'll push up and down against foot pedals, and the workout intensifies when you increase the resistance. Some of this type have handles so you can work your arms and upper body as well.
A third type to consider, especially if you have shorter ceilings in your home, is the recumbent, or seated stair stepper. You'll get your great full-body stepper workout, but your head won't approach the ceiling since you're seated.
Which stair climber is the right one for you? Since there are many options to consider, it can feel overwhelming. Here are some factors to keep in mind as you begin to shop. Before you know it, you'll find the stair climber that's best not only for you, but for the space in your home.
- Price. How much are you willing to spend for the stair stepper and any accessories such as the console for tracking your fitness and viewing any classes, or the floor mat to go underneath the machine? Also consider any apps for online subscriptions for classes to participate in while you're working on your step climber. And are the apps free or will you pay a monthly subscription for stepper classes?
- Available space. Where do you plan to place your stair climber? The traditional gym-like machinery will take up more floor space and require a higher ceiling. The stepper versions take up the least amount of floor space. The recumbent style isn't affected by the ceiling space, or lack thereof.
- Fitness goals. Consider if you are new to stair climbing or if you're the gym rat who wants to bring that intensity home. Certain stair climbers are ready for the challenge, and others are built more for a light workout only.
- Return policy. What if the machine doesn't fit in your space, if it's too noisy, or you just don't like it? Check to see if there's a satisfaction guarantee. If so, are you responsible for return shipping? And is there a restocking fee? If so, how much would you actually get back if you returned it?
- Reputation. What do users say about the stair climber? Is it durable? Was it easy to assemble? Are they still motivated to use it, even months later? If they interacted with customer service, was the department helpful?
Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked the top stair climbers on the market today. We're confident that this information will help you to narrow down the options so you can find the perfect stair climber for your home gym and your stair climbing workout.
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