What’s the Deal with Maxi Climber? “Everything You Really Need to Know”
Maybe you’ve heard about the Maxi Climber from a friend, read about it online or watched the “As Seen On TV” infomercials one sleepless night.
Are you skeptical of the claims?
The Maxi Climber is supposed to mimic rock climbing, and with its low price point, it’s certainly cheaper and more practical than installing a rock climbing wall in the garage.
But…
Does the Maxi Climber live up to the hype?
The last thing you want is a machine that sits in the corner collecting dust and dirty laundry.
Today I want to clear the clutter and reveal to you the truth about the Maxi Climber.
I will cover what exactly the Maxi climber is, how it works, the good and not so great aspects of the machine, present my in-depth Maxi Climber reviews, take a quick look at a few Maxi Climber competitors and wrap up with my honest appraisal.
Contents
- Exactly What is the Maxi Climber?
- How Does the Maxi Climber Work?
- It the Maxi Climber a Pain to Assemble?
- Is the Maxi Climber Safe to Use?
- Is the Maxi Climber a Good Investment or Just More “As Seen On TV” Hype?
- The Best and Worst Things about the Maxi Climber
- What Workout Routines are Available for the Maxi Climber?
- How Does the VersaClimber compare to the Maxi Climber?
- Vertical Climber vs Treadmill, How do They Stack Up?
- What Alternatives Exist for the Maxi Climber?
- My Honest Appraisal of the Original Maxi Climber – Is the Maxi Climber Worth it?
Exactly What is the Maxi Climber?
MaxiClimber – The original patented Vertical Climber, “As Seen On TV”
- Versatile and easy-to-use: MaxiClimber works for all fitness levels. Target Power, Strength and Endurance with MaxiClimber and experience the perfect combination of steady-state cardio plus HIIT training to burn double the calories
- Full-body workout: combines calorie-burning cardio with muscle toning in one simple step
- Elastic Resistance System (ERS): customize your workout by using your own weight to reach max power or add resistance with target maximum endurance
- Low impact workout: easy on the knees and ankles
- Easy to set up, lightweight and height adjustable: Comes 90% pre-assembled, ready to use in minutes. Compact folding design for easy storage
The Maxi Climber is a simple vertical climber exercise machine that has received a lot of press on TV. It is one of the best rated vertical climbers in its price range.
It uses a stepping movement, combined with arm bars you pull down in tandem, to work the entire body at the same time.
It claims to be a complete, full body workout including:
- Cardio – Heart pumping fat burning movement.
- Core – Abs, back and Stabilizing Muscles.
- Upper Body – Arms, Back and shoulders.
- Lower Body – Glutes, thighs and Calves.
The machines uses your own body weight to create the muscle building resistance you need to get a challenging workout.
How Does the Maxi Climber Work?
The Maxi Climber is composed of:
- 2 Steps.
- 2 Fixed hand holds.
- 2 Moving Handle Bars.
- Base, Frame and stabilizer bar made with cold rolled steel.
The Steps move up and down, providing a natural stepping motion, the Moving handle bars glide up and down in sync with the steps.
The Maxi Climber has a set of fixed handle bars to rest your arms and lower the intensity or your workout easily.
Stepping Motion Explained
You choose how shallow or deep your steps are on the Maxi Climber.
You also choose the speed of your stride by how fast you step.
The Maxi climber starts and stops when you do, and only goes as fast and you care to.
Tips:
Short quick steps get the heart pumping.
Deep slow steps build shapely thighs and Glutes.
To increase intensity and level up, simply increase the speed of your stride.
Arm Motion Explained
You choose when and how often to use the Moving Arm Handlebars.
If you want to incorporate arms in your workout use the moving handle bars. If you want to take it easy, place your hands on the fixed hand holds.
Tips:
Use an underhanded grip to work biceps.
Use an over hand grip to work the forearm and triceps.
It the Maxi Climber a Pain to Assemble?
Putting the Maxi Climber together is easier than I expected, but I do recommend you want this short Assembling the Maxi Climber video to see all the parts and how they fit together.
The Maxi Climber comes shipped with the screws inserted into their corresponding holes. You need to then remove the screws from those holes to assemble the unit.
I love that they placed the screws where they should go because that means you:
- You know where the screws should go
- You can be sure all the screws are present
Why the Maxi Climber is so easy to assemble?
The main body of the Maxi Climber is pre-assembled right out of the box.
All you need to do is:
- Insert the moving handlebars into their slots.
- Install the fixed handles, which are easy to plug in.
- Screw in the U-Bars that make up the support base.
It really is that easy. The video demonstrates the assembly which takes under 3 minutes.
As far as assembly goes, the Maxi Climber is the best vertical climber.
Is the Maxi Climber Safe to Use?
The Maxi Climber is designed for use by those under 240 lbs.
The Maxi Climber has no automated movements, no motor, and no drives. It only moves when you do – unlike a treadmill or stair stepper that keep going even if you stop.
Careful: Do not to lean back while using the machine. It should be common sense, but if a heavy person is on the machine and leans back, the front feet may lift up or the climber may even tip.
The right way to get on the Maxi Climber
Getting on and off the Maxi Climber should be done with care so you do not tip the machine or damage the rollers.
When you step onto the Maxi Climber place your right foot on the step and your right hand on the handle.
Then reach up to the arm handlebar with your left hand, grab it and pull yourself up until your left foot is on the other step.
Is the Maxi Climber a Good Investment or Just More “As Seen On TV” Hype?
I get it!
“As Seen on TV” products like the FlowBee, and the Snuggie are notorious for being, well, a little ridiculous.
If you are questioning the integrity of a product because it is being advertised as “As Seen on TV” I am not surprised.
On the other hand, some “As Seen On TV” products are great, and I believe the Maxi Climber is one of the better ones.
The Original Maxi climber boasts many satisfied reviews, more than you can read. It’s one of the most popular and best selling vertical climbers ever.
- Versatile and easy-to-use: MaxiClimber works for all fitness levels. Target Power, Strength and Endurance with MaxiClimber and experience the perfect combination of steady-state cardio plus HIIT training to burn double the calories
- Full-body workout: combines calorie-burning cardio with muscle toning in one simple step
- Elastic Resistance System (ERS): customize your workout by using your own weight to reach max power or add resistance with target maximum endurance
- Low impact workout: easy on the knees and ankles
- Easy to set up, lightweight and height adjustable: Comes 90% pre-assembled, ready to use in minutes. Compact folding design for easy storage
It’s no wonder the Maxi Climber is #1.
- It is advertised “As Seen on TV”.
- It costs less than a Dinner & Movie Date.
- It gives a butt kicking workout.
- It folds up and is compact enough to use even in small apartments.
So is it Hype or a solid investment?
Both.
It is true, The Maxi Climber is well advertised, but that does not mean it is not worth the investment. The Maxi Climber offers a solid workout, at a great price and takes up just a few feet of floor space.
The Best and Worst Things about the Maxi Climber
Pros
- Full Body Workout – Upper body, Lower Body and Core, plus cardio.
- Very affordable – Costs less than a new suit or nice outfit.
- Space saving, only takes a few square feet of floor space and folds up small enough to store in a coat closet.
- Arm Handlebars are height adjustable to fit any height rider.
- Burns twice as many calories as a treadmill or Stairmaster.
- Quick and easy to assemble, comes nearly pre-assembled!
- Express Calorie torching – 20 minutes is all you need.
Cons
- 240 lb weight limit.
- Plastic bearing on the arm slide wears quickly.
- Can not adjust tension or resistance as that is regulated by your body weight.
- May rock or tip if you lean back while you are on it.
What Workout Routines are Available for the Maxi Climber?
There are several ways to use the Maxi Climber.
Steps:
You can take short, medium or deep depth strides
Arms:
You can hold the moving arm handlebars with an underhand grip, overhand grip, or not use them at all.
Speed:
The speed of your step stride determines the intensity of the workout.
Want to crank it up? Simply get moving faster!
The best maxi climber workouts I found are by a gal named Rosalie Brown who makes YouTube Videos with real time follow by example workout videos for the Maxi Climber.
Her first video in a series of 4 is called Maxi Climber by Rosalie Brown a 20 Minute Workout.
Simply follow along and Rosalie will guide you thru a demanding yet short workout that will get your heart rate up and fat percentage down.
How Does the VersaClimber compare to the Maxi Climber?
Considering the VersaClimber vs maxiclimber, the biggest difference is the price.
The VersaClimber is almost 20 times the cost of the Maxi Climber or more!
They are both vertical Climbers and operate using similar mechanics, a stepping and arm climbing motion combined.
Where the VersaClimber Wins:
- The versa climber is more stable, it has a flat plate at the base and a wider main body
- It is heavier, and without the tipping risk the Maxi Climber has.
- It is made of higher quality parts, and the bearings will not wear as readily as the Maxiclimber.
- The VersaClimber has full length fixed handles that extend from the main body to the flat plate base on the floor, making it much easier to get on and off.
Where the Maxi Climber Wins:
- The Price. The Maxi Climber is 1/20th the price of the VersaClimber.
- Portability, the Maxi Climber is light enough to move around the room.
- Storability, The Maxi Climber folds up, the VersaClimber does not.
Whether you choose the VersaClimber vs maxiclimber probably depends on your budget and the space you have available to store the machine.
Vertical Climber vs Treadmill, How do They Stack Up?
If you are trying to decide between a Vertical Climber vs a treadmill here are a few things to consider.
How the Maxi Climber Might be the better choice for you:
- Maxi Climber burns 2x the calories of a treadmill.
- Maxi Climber uses less floor space than a treadmill.
- Maxi Climber engages the arms.
- Maxi Climber is far less expensive than most treadmills.
How a Treadmill might be the better choice for you:
- A treadmill is more stable and easier to get on and off.
- A treadmill has adjustable resistance that does not depend on your body weight.
- Treadmills usually come with pre-programmed routines that adjust automatically, on the Maxi Climber you are the one who changes up the routine.
What Alternatives Exist for the Maxi Climber?
You want to know what else is out there, that compares to the Maxi Climber?
The Maxi Climber has a few competitors and alternatives, and you are smart for scoping out the competition because it is a good way to do your research.
The most popular substitutes are the 4 listed below.
VersaClimber
VersaClimber – The VersaClimber was covered and compared earlier in this article. Basically, our VersaClimber reviews outlined the following facts:
- The VersaClimber is a vertical climber that functions very much like the Maxi Climber.
- The big difference is the VersaClimber is much, much more expensive.
- The VersaClimber is also heavier and built better, so, you get what you pay for.
SkiErg
A SkiErg is an exercise machine, designed by the makers of the famous Concept 2 Rower. The SkiErg, as the name implies, is designed to mimic a skiing workout.
- This item benefits from an Extended 90 Day Return Window
- Build strength and endurance using the poling motions integral to both techniques of Nordic skiing
- PM5 Performance Monitor provides immediate, accurate performance data during and after your ski
- Mounts to a wall (hardware included); Optional Floor Stand (sold separately) makes the SkiErg free standing and easily moveable
- Lightweight, high strength drive cords for a smooth feel and long life; Ergonomic strapless handles
The SkiErg is similar to the Maxi Climber in these ways:
- Works the upper body by using a downward stroke of the arms.
- Works the core muscles n a motion comparable to the Maxi climber
The difference are:
- Resistance. The SkiErg uses an adjustable airflow flywheel for resistance to control the intensity. The Maxi Climber uses your own body weight and speed for resistance.
- The Price. The SkiErg is considerably more expensive.
- The SkiErg does not work the lower body much, unlike the Maxi Climber which is a step motion to build glutes and thighs.
Conquer Vertical Climber
The Conquer Vertical Climber is a knockoff of the Maxi Climber.
They are very similar in price and function, but you may be asking which of these two is the best vertical climber machine?
My vote is for the Maxi climber for two reasons:
- The Maxi Climber includes an electronic step counter, calorie counter and timer. The Conquer does not.
- The Maxi Climber uses a cable and pulley system to shift weight from one pedal to the other. The Conquer uses a chain and sprocket, similar to a bike chain.
Maxi Sport Vertical Climber with adjustable Resistance bands
The Maxi Sport Vertical Climber is a New Vertical Climber made by the same company that makes the Original Maxi Climber.
The Biggest Difference?
The Maxi Sport includes resistance bands to add 3 Levels of resistance. This is a big improvement, as the original Maxi Climber had no adjustable resistance.
My Honest Appraisal of the Original Maxi Climber – Is the Maxi Climber Worth it?
For the Price, I think the Maxi Climber is a good choice for the right person.
The Max Climber supplies a decent cardio workout, strengthens upper body, lower body and core muscles, is easy to use and put together, does not use up much space and you can fold it up and put it away when not in use.
The Maxi Climber will not build huge muscles, because the resistance is limited to your body weight.
However, for busy folks who may not have time to visit a gym, or those looking to lose weight, it is a decent choice.
It is not as stable as more expensive vertical climbers, but if used properly, respecting the weight limit, it is a safe exercise machine, and in my opinion the best vertical climber for home use.
That wraps up my in depth maxi climber reviews. If you have any questions drop me a line in the comments below.
If you like reading in depth reviews like this sign up for the newsletter and we will notify you via email when more come out.
Your free subscription includes exclusive content and valuable guides not available to those without a subscription.