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Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.

Stair climber

Rotating-step machine that puts climbing training indoors

A staircase that never ends, driven by a motor while you keep stepping. Heart rate rises fast and the legs absorb most of the load, which is why it shows up in mountain race preparation and in fat loss programs. StairMaster made the category familiar and most commercial gyms have one; home units cost more than a decent treadmill.

Who backs it

Sorted by strength of stance

  • Nick BareDoes it

    Hybrid athlete · Bare Performance Nutrition founder

    Training in Texas gave him nothing that resembled 15,600 feet of climbing, so the climbing had to come from somewhere. He says he spent a significant amount of time on the Stairmaster in the build to Leadville, on top of his weekly running volume.

    Source: BPN: What I Learned From My First 100-Mile Ultra

Other entries filed under fitness.

  • Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.

    Home gym

    A private training space at home, from a garage rack to a fully equipped room

    Backed by 7 of 62 stacks: 5 do it, 2 recommend it, 0 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.

    Kettlebell

    One implement covering swings, carries and presses in a small space

    Backed by 6 of 62 stacks: 3 do it, 2 recommend it, 1 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.

    Resistance bands

    Loop and tube bands for activation work, mobility drills and travel training

    Backed by 6 of 62 stacks: 4 do it, 1 recommend it, 1 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.

    WHOOP

    WHOOP

    Screenless wrist strap tracking strain, recovery and sleep

    Backed by 6 of 62 stacks: 4 do it, 1 recommend it, 1 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.

    Cold plunge tub

    Chilled tub that holds cold water ready, instead of hauling bags of ice

    Backed by 4 of 62 stacks: 4 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it
  • Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.

    Heart rate monitor

    Chest strap or watch that logs heart rate and estimates calories burned

    Backed by 4 of 62 stacks: 2 do it, 2 recommend it, 0 have discussed it

Gear entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.