What is VersaClimber?

What is VersaClimber?

 VersaClimber is the world’s first (and best) vertical climbing simulator.  Designed in the early 1980’s VersaClimber has earned the respect of elite sports stars all over the world.

The shaft is set at a 75 degree angle and has pedals and handles – your workout will feel like climbing a ladder.  The cross-crawl motion of climbing (also known as contra-lateral movement) is one of the most primitive movement patterns  which strengthens the para-spinal musculature and also confers neurological benefits.  The VersaClimber offers a true full-body workout.

Using VersaClimber is very safe and does not have a jarring effect on the hips, knees and ankles (like running).  This makes VersaClimber the go-to training tool for athletes who want to maintain and develop their strength and fitness while not risking additional injuries or aggravating existing injuries.

Because climbing engages more muscle groups than any other activity, you will burn more calories on a VersaClimber than any other machine.  This makes VersaClimber a great tool for athletes and sports enthusiasts who want a calorie-torching, total body workout in less time than running or spin-bike.

Both the SM and the TS models have a magnetic resistance option.  Using resistance while climbing requires your muscles to work harder, helping you to develop endurance and muscle mass – some of the world’s best trans-alpine ultra marathon runners train using versaclimber for this reason but the machine is also ideal for beginners.  Customise your workout by combining cardio with strength training.

The TS models show your ‘% of maximum effort’.  When used with the supplied heart rate monitor, the VersaClimber becomes a superb tool for ‘zone training’.

The VersaClimber Sports Rehab Model is perfect for physiotherapy settings and athletic sports clubs.  This specialist device offers a fully adjustable seat for safety & comfort and isolation for one or both legs.  This machine is widely used for post-surgery patients in physiotherapy settings, offering a full body, closed chain exercise with minimal strain on the joints and safe operation.


Contra-lateral motion:

  • Stabilizes your walking gait coordination & para-spinal muscles – builds core strength
  • Energizes your body and calms your mind – releases tension and stress
  • Improves your eye-teaming skills – essential for focus, reading, and writing
  • Enhances whole-brain thinking – your left and right hemispheres work together
  • Develops proprioception – your spatial and kinesthetic awareness

Very high calorie burn:

Climbing burns more calories in less time than any other cardio activity (treadmill, spin, rower). Studies by men’s health magazine have shown climbing classes to burn 22.3 calories per minute, while popular cycling, treadmill and rowing classes burn between 13 – 14 calories per minute.  Just 20 minutes a day on a versaclimber will maintain excellent fitness and strength. 

Also, studies have shown that climbing elicits a higher vo2max than rowing or running.  In addition to this, the user’s posture while climbing means the arms are kept above heart level, resulting in a faster cardio response.


Improved posture:

Posture is important in any training no matter what your goal, be it athletic performance, weight loss, injury recovery or stress relief. Better posture always brings better / safer results. The upright position when climbing instantly combats slouching and engages the core. The ideal posture for climbing should include a straight spine, from which only the limbs are pushing and pulling.


Low impact:

Climbing is very low impact. Since you’re not actually landing on and pushing off a surface, like you would on a treadmill, there is almost zero repetitive percussive force on the hips, knees and ankles. This allows you to maintain and improve cardio fitness without putting additional pressure on weak joints or risking further damage to existing injuries.