What is the Best Jacobs Ladder Machine?
The Jacobs Ladder machine is a type of exercise equipment used for cardiovascular training and strength conditioning. It consists of two vertical poles with rungs or steps placed between them at an angle.
The name “Jacob’s Ladder” comes from the biblical story of Jacob’s dream, where he saw a ladder reaching up to heaven.
In a Jacob’s Ladder machine, the rungs are designed to be climbed with a stepping motion. As you climb, the rungs continuously rotate, forcing you to lift your feet higher and work against gravity.
This provides a challenging full-body workout that engages various muscle groups, including the legs, glutes, core, and upper body.
| Best for Commerical Gyms | Jacobs Ladder Classic |
| Best for Home Gyms | Jacobs Ladder 2 |
| Pro Choice | Jacobs Ladder X |
| Best Stair Machine | Stairway GTL |
Purpose of the Jacobs Ladder Machine
The primary purpose of the Jacob’s Ladder machine is to improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance. It offers a low-impact workout option that is easy on the joints while still providing a high-intensity exercise experience.
The climbing motion activates multiple muscle groups simultaneously, making it an efficient way to burn calories and build strength.
Jacob’s Ladder machines are commonly found in gyms, fitness centers, and training facilities. They are suitable for people of different fitness levels and can be adjusted to meet individual needs. The intensity of the workout can be modified by adjusting the speed of the ladder’s rotation or by increasing the climbing speed.
Jacobs Ladder
Jacobs Ladder is the treadmill-style ladder climber that’s equally effective as a high intensity interval training tool for competitive athletes and low-impact cardio machine for safe and practical rehab work.
The 40-degree climbing angle of Jacobs Ladder naturally removes much of the direct stress from the lower back, hips, and knees as you train, and because it’s self-powered, your own output determines the pace–with no need of a nearby wall outlet.
The machine is quality-built from welded tubular steel with solid maple climbing rungs, and the included digital display gives you helpful, immediate readouts on Elapsed Time, Feet Climbed, Rate (Feet/Min), Calorie Burn, and Heart Rate (using chest strap).
Cited in a study by the LSU School of Kinesiology as a “scientifically superior workout” to traditional treadmills, Jacobs Ladder has been increasingly absorbed into the training programs of professional and collegiate sports teams, police and fire departments, military bases and academies, and countless personal gyms large and small.
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Specifications:
- Ships Fully Assembled
- Welded Tubular Steel Frame
- Solid Maple Rungs
- Dimensions: 31.25” W x 76” L x 65.5” H
- Ceiling Height: 7.5 ft.
- Weight: 325 LBS
- 40-degree Climbing Angle
- Self-Powered
- Digital Readouts: Elapsed Time, Feet Climbed, Rate (Feet/Min), Calorie Burn, Heart Rate (Using Chest Strap)
- Warranty: 4 Years Parts, 1 Year Labour
- Applications: Functional Exercise for Rehabilitation, Circuit Training, Personal Training, High-Intensity Intervals and Endurance Training
- Colour: Black
Jacobs Ladder 2
Jacobs Ladder 2 is a more compact, home-gym version of the original Jacobs Ladder treadmill-style ladder climber.
Like the full commercial model, the JL2 is extremely durable and equally effective as a high intensity interval training tool for competitive athletes and low-impact cardio machine for safe and practical rehab work.
The key design differences with this model are as follows:
- Different Rung Design: Polyurethane instead of maple
- Power Requirement: 110V or 220V rather than self-powered
- Width: 27.25” = 4” narrower than the standard Jacobs Ladder
- Weight: 300 LBS = 25 LBS lighter than standard Jacobs Ladder
- Warranty: 2 Years – Parts (The Full Size Jacobs Ladder is 4 Year Parts/1 Year Labour)
Functionally, the benefits of training with the Jacobs Ladder 2 are much the same as the original, including the 40-degree climbing angle that naturally removes much of the direct stress from the lower back, hips, and knees.
The machine’s frame is quality-built from welded tubular steel, and the included digital display gives you helpful, immediate readouts on Elapsed Time, Feet Climbed, Rate (Feet/Min), Calorie Burn, and Heart Rate (using chest strap).
Specifications:
- Ships Fully Assembled
- Welded Tubular Steel Frame
- Steel Rungs with Polyurethane Sleeves
- Dimensions: 27.25” W x 76” L x 65.5” H
- Ceiling Height: 7.5 ft.
- Weight: 300 LBS
- 40-degree Climbing Angle
- Power Needed: 110V (220 V available upon request)
- Digital Readouts: Elapsed Time, Feet Climbed, Rate (Feet/Min), Calorie Burn, Heart Rate (Using Chest Strap)
- Warranty: 2 Years Parts
- Applications: Functional Exercise for Rehabilitation, Circuit Training, Personal Training, High-Intensity Intervals and Endurance Training
- Colour: Black
Jacobs Ladder X
Jacobs Ladder X takes everything great about the original Jacobs Ladder cardio machine and introduces several key upgrades. This includes an improved digital dashboard that provides more insight on your workout, from climb rate and total feet climbed to calories burned and workout intensity level.
The JLX also now enables athletes to train in FOUR different workout positions, making it easier to customize your training for specific muscle groups or intensity levels.
- Jacobs Ladder X Climbing Positions:
- Side Rail – Low intensity climbing
- Stand Up – Traditional stair climbing workout
- Sled Drive – Higher heart rate, upper and lower body core muscle workout
- Hand Over Hand – Highest calorie burn, High intensity upper and lower body workout
Like the original model, the JLX is equally effective as a high intensity interval training tool for competitive athletes and a low-impact cardio machine for safe and practical rehab work. The machine’s 40-degree climbing angle naturally removes much of the direct stress from the lower back, hips, and knees as you train, and because it’s self-powered, your own output determines the pace . . . with no need of a nearby wall outlet.
The 344LB Jacobs Ladder X is quality-built from welded tubular steel with solid maple climbing rungs, making it extremely durable even under regular everyday stress.
Specifications:
- Treadmill-style Ladder Climber Machine
- Frame: Welded Tubular and Laser Cut Steel
- Length: 80.125”
- Width: 30.5” w/o removable cupholders, 37.25” with removable cupholders
- Height: 69.5”
- Weight: 344LBS
- Rungs: 2” Solid Maple with UV Cured Acrylic coating
- Case: ABS Plastic
- Power: Self-Powered
- Ceiling Height Requirement: 8.5 feet
- Digital Readout: Elapsed Time, Calorie Burn, Rate (Ft/Min), Total Feet Climbed, Intensity Level
- Warranty: 4 Years on Parts / 1 Year on Labor
- Applications: Functional Exercise for Rehabilitation, Circuit Training, Personal Training, High-Intensity Intervals and Endurance Training
- Some assembly required
Jacobs Ladder – The Stairway GTL
The Stairway™ GTL features the same dimensions and construction as the standard Stairway, but without the inclusion or need of a waist belt. Instead, the machine uses a proprietary closed loop speed control, allowing the athlete to select their pace via the display. Simple up/down buttons control the speed, and the Stairway GTL knows your weight so it can adjust the workout to your body.
Like the standard Stairway and the Jacobs Ladder cardio machine, the GTL is uniquely space-efficient and versatile compared to other commercial stair climbers. It’s plug-free, so you don’t need to place it near a wall, and the ceiling height requirement is only 8.5 feet. The machine’s narrow 30.5” width also makes it easier to manoeuvre through doorways, while its initial step-height of 10” makes for no-nonsense stopping and starting.
The Stairway GTL is quality-built with a welded tubular steel frame, powder-coated steel tube handles, steel steps with polyvinyl treads, and an ABS plastic case. The convenient digital readout includes Elapsed Time, Steps Climbed, Rate (Steps/Min), Calories Burned, and Heart Rate (wireless).
Specifications
- Self-Paced, Self-Powered Stair Climber Machine
- No Waist Belt Required
- Closed Loop Speed Control in Display
- Dimensions: 30.5” W x 54” L x 75.5” H
- Weight: 300 LBS
- Frame: Welded Tubular Steel
- Stairs: Steel with Polyvinyl Tread
- Case: ABS Plastic
- Handle: Powder-coated Steel Tube
- Required Ceiling Height: 8.5 Feet
- Digital Readouts: Elapsed Time, Steps Climbed, Rate (Steps/Min), Calorie Burn, Heart Rate (wireless)
- Warranty: 4 Years Parts / 1 Year Labor
- Applications: Functional Exercise for Rehabilitation, Circuit Training, Personal Training, High-Intensity Intervals and Endurance Training
- Some assembly required
