VersaClimber
Vertical climbing machine for hard, low-impact, full-body cardio
Hand grips and foot pedals move in opposition on a tall rail, so you climb in place. Arms and legs work together, which drives heart rate up fast without the joint impact of running, and sessions tend to be short intervals rather than long steady efforts. It has a cult following among basketball players and boxers and sits in many NBA training rooms. Commercial units cost thousands, so most people find one at a gym or a climbing-class studio.
People on record
Sorted by strength of stance
Does it: documented as part of their own routine. Recommends: explicitly advises other people to do it. Discusses: covered it substantively without clear personal adoption; this can include criticism or disagreement.
- LeBron JamesDoes it
Basketball player · NBA all-time leading scorer
Asked which ingredients he likes to keep in his off-season, he answered that besides the VersaClimber he really likes running on a football field, which puts the machine in his own account of his summer conditioning. He gave no detail on how he uses it.
Source: The Tim Ferriss Show #349 transcript: LeBron James and Mike Mancias
Aimed at the same thing
Other entries filed under fitness or energy.
- Gear$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Heart rate monitor
Chest strap or watch that logs heart rate and estimates calories burned
On record from 4 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it, 2 recommend it - Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Weight sled
A loaded steel sled pushed or dragged across turf
On record from 3 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it, 2 recommend it - Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.
Air bike
Fan-resistance bike with moving handles, used for short all-out efforts
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 1 does it, 1 recommends it - Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Exercise bike
Stationary bike for intervals and steady aerobic work indoors
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - Gear$$$Expensive: Several hundred dollars and up.
Indoor bike trainer
Smart trainer or stationary bike that reports power and varies resistance
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do it - Gear$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Running hydration vest
A trail vest carrying soft flasks or a bladder, plus fuel, layers and a headlamp
On record from 2 of 62 tracked people: 2 do 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.