The stepper and the exercise climber are cardio alternatives to more traditional machines, such as the treadmill and elliptical. They are two options in a large field of stepping machines. Although both machines involve a stepping motion, the stepper simulates walking up flights of stairs while the climber simulates rock climbing.
Design
A climber has a wide base with a long pole set at an angle -- usually about 75 degrees -- to the floor. Two foot pedals and two handles attach to the sides of the pole and travel up and down it.
A stepper has two foot pedals that move up and down in an alternating fashion. A commercial-grade stepper has stationary handrails and a large, electronic console. Smaller, in-home steppers may have handrails, but some consist of nothing more than the pedals, which sit directly on the floor. These basic stepping machines are called mini steppers.
Movement
A stepper primarily provides a lower body aerobic workout, although some mini steppers include resistance tubing for upper body movements. All steppers, commercial or residential grade, simulate walking up stairs. As you press down on one pedal, the other pedal rises.
A climber provides a full-body aerobic workout. You stand on the pedals and grab the handles on the climber pole. Move your arms and legs as if you are climbing a rock wall. Some climber machines have stationary handles that turn the machine into a stepper.
Specifications
Mini steppers take up the least amount of space. Regular steppers and climbers have similar footprints. The base is 3 to 4 feet long and 2 to 4 feet wide. Climber machines are taller than steppers because your entire body must fit on the climbing pole. Climbers are 7.5 to 8 feet tall, while steppers are usually 5 to 6 feet tall. The maximum user capacity varies among brands and models, but most steppers and climbers can handle users between 250 and 350 lbs.
Features
Most steppers have varying levels of pedal resistance that allow you to change the intensity of your workout. Commercial quality steppers offer digitally adjustable resistance, while in-home steppers typically have manually adjustable, hydraulic resistance.
Some climbers offer variable resistance for the pedals and handles, while others have fixed resistance.
The stepping height is higher for climbers than for steppers. Depending on the brand and model, a stepper offers a stepping height from 1 to 14 inches. Climbers have a wider range, from 1 to 20 inches, because you are simulating a rock-climbing motion, not just climbing steps.
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