Stair Climbers

Are you looking for an efficient way to improve your fitness, strengthen your leg muscles and burn calories? Then a stairclimber is exactly what you need. A stairclimber, also called a stair climbing machine or step machine, simulates the movement of climbing stairs — an activity known for improving cardiovascular health while also intensively training your leg muscles. Whether you are an experienced athlete or just starting out, the resistance and speed are adjustable so you can tailor the machine to your fitness level.

Stairclimbers are available for home use and for commercial use in gyms, hotels and physiotherapy practices. The main selection criteria are the step depth and step width, the maximum user weight, the available training programmes, the height of the machine in relation to your ceiling and the desired connectivity. Also view our full range of cardio fitness machines for more alternatives.

Why train with a stairclimber?

Stair climbing is one of the most effective forms of cardio training. With every step you activate large muscle groups in your lower body: quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calves. This makes a stairclimber workout particularly calorie-rich and effective for strengthening your leg muscles and improving your fitness.

A major advantage over running is the relatively low impact on your joints. When stair climbing, your feet never fully leave the platform, which means less shock load than running. Yet the training intensity is high, which makes stairclimbers popular with athletes who want to train hard without overloading their joints.

Finally, a stairclimber provides a unique training stimulus. Many athletes who are used to ellipticals or exercise bikes find that a stair climbing machine challenges their fitness and leg muscles in a different way. Also read our blog starting with cardio training for more information about effective cardio training at home.

Which stairclimber suits you?

The right choice depends on your training goal, the available space and whether you want to use the machine at home or commercially. The scenarios below will quickly point you in the right direction.

You want to intensively train your leg and glute muscles while also improving your fitness: A stairclimber with multiple resistance levels and training programmes such as interval and HIIT is the best choice. The higher the resistance, the more your leg muscles are loaded with every step. Ideal for athletes who want to specifically work on leg strength and endurance.

You want to burn calories and lose weight with intensive cardio training: A stairclimber is one of the most calorie-intensive cardio machines. By loading the large muscle groups in your lower body simultaneously you burn significantly more calories per workout than on an exercise bike or elliptical at comparable intensity.

You want to train with entertainment options such as series, routes or apps: Choose a stairclimber with a large built-in screen and connectivity with apps such as Netflix, YouTube or fitness platforms. This makes intensive workouts considerably more pleasant and motivating.

You want to use the stairclimber commercially in a gym, hotel or physiotherapy practice: Choose a robust model with a high maximum user load and a durable frame that can withstand intensive daily use by multiple users. Top brands such as Life Fitness, StairMaster and Matrix are the standard in commercial fitness environments.

You want to train at home but have limited ceiling height: This is a crucial consideration with stairclimbers. When standing at the highest position, your head must have plenty of clearance from the ceiling. Measure your ceiling height in advance and check the maximum user height of the desired model. Allow at least 30 to 50 cm extra space above your own height when standing on the machine.

What are the benefits of a stairclimber?

Targeted training for leg muscles: Every step activates your quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes and calves intensively. A stairclimber is the most targeted cardio machine for strengthening your lower body.

High calorie burn: Stair climbing requires a lot of energy per minute. A stairclimber workout has one of the highest calorie burns per unit of time of all cardio machines, which supports weight loss and fat burning.

Improved cardiovascular health: Intensive stair climbing heavily loads your heart and lungs, contributing to better cardiovascular fitness and a lower resting heart rate in the long term.

Improved balance and coordination: By regularly training on a stairclimber you improve your muscle strength, balance and coordination, which also benefits your overall stability in daily life.

Low joint impact: Despite the high training intensity, the shock load on knees, hips and ankles is relatively low. A good property for athletes who want to train hard but want to spare their joints as much as possible.

What to look for when buying?

Ceiling height and dimensions

This is the most underestimated but most crucial consideration with stairclimbers. Stairclimbers are tall and when in use you are standing on top of the machine. Measure your ceiling height in advance and allow at least 30 to 50 cm of free space above your head when standing on the machine in the highest position. Also check the floor area the machine takes up and ensure sufficient free space around it for safe use.

Maximum user load

Always check the maximum user load of the model. Choose a machine that is at least 20 kg above your own body weight. For commercial use a higher maximum load is necessary due to the varying user population.

Resistance levels and adjustability

The more resistance levels, the more precisely you can dose the training intensity. For beginners, many levels are essential so you can also start at a low intensity. For advanced athletes who want to do HIIT workouts, models with automatically adjustable resistance are most suitable.

Training programmes and connectivity

Determine in advance which training programmes you want to use. Interval, hills, HIIT and heart rate controlled programmes are common on quality stairclimbers. Do you also want to train with entertainment options or fitness apps? Then choose a model with a large screen and Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity. Want to accurately monitor your heart rate? Also view our range of heart rate monitors.

Step depth and step width

Check whether the step depth and width of the machine feel comfortable for your foot size and walking style. A step width that is too narrow can feel uncomfortable with intensive use. Preferably test the machine in our showroom in Volkel before buying.

Our advice: Always measure your ceiling height before purchasing a stairclimber. This is the most common problem with placing stairclimbers at home. A machine that doesn't fit in terms of height is unusable. When in doubt, always calculate more than the minimum recommended free height. Come to our showroom in Volkel to experience the models yourself and estimate the height.

Who are stairclimbers suitable for?

• Athletes who want to specifically work on leg strength and endurance and are looking for a more challenging alternative to the exercise bike or elliptical.
• Athletes who want to lose weight and benefit from the high calorie burn that stair climbing delivers per unit of time.
• Advanced athletes and competitive athletes who want to train their cardiovascular fitness and leg muscles more intensively with a different training stimulus.
• Home athletes who want to expand their home gym with an intensive and effective cardio machine.
• Commercial users such as gyms, hotels and physiotherapy practices who want to expand their cardio offering with a popular and effective machine.

A stairclimber is less suitable for beginners without any fitness base, older people with serious joint complaints or athletes in rehabilitation. In those cases, an exercise bike or elliptical is a more accessible and safer choice. When in doubt, always first consult your physiotherapist or doctor.

Need help with your choice?

Would you like to buy a stairclimber but are you not yet sure which one best suits your wishes and needs? We will be happy to help you further. You can reach our fitness specialists by phone on +31 (0)413-256800, send an email or visit our store in Volkel, the Netherlands.

Frequently asked questions about stairclimbers

What is the difference between a stairclimber and a stepper?

A stairclimber has real steps on which you always step higher, similar to a moving escalator. A stepper has two pedals that alternately move downward. A stairclimber gives a more realistic stair-climbing experience, more intensive leg muscle training and a higher calorie burn. A stepper is more compact and accessible but less intensive.

How much ceiling height do I need for a stairclimber?

As a guideline: your own height plus at least 30 to 50 cm of free space above your head when standing on the machine in the highest position. Always measure your ceiling height and check the maximum user height of the desired model before buying. This is the most common consideration when placing a stairclimber at home.

Is a stairclimber suitable for beginners?

A stairclimber is more intensive than an exercise bike or elliptical and demands more of your fitness and leg muscles. Beginners without any fitness base are better off starting with an exercise bike or elliptical and building up to a stairclimber. Are you a beginner with a reasonable base fitness? Then choose a model with a low minimum speed and many resistance levels so you can start at a gentle pace.

How many calories do you burn on a stairclimber?

That depends on your weight, training intensity and duration. As a guideline, stair climbing on a stairclimber at moderate intensity for a person of 80 kg burns approximately 400 to 600 calories per hour. At high intensity this can rise to 700 to 900 calories per hour, which is one of the highest burn rates of all cardio machines.

What is a climbmill and does it differ from a stairclimber?

A climbmill is a specific type of stairclimber where the steps continuously move like an escalator, similar to a treadmill but then as stairs. The climbmill gives the most realistic stair experience and is the most intensive variant. A standard stairclimber has fixed steps with a pedal movement. Both train the same muscle groups but the climbmill requires more balance and coordination.