Estimate VersaClimber (vertical climber) calories burned from your weight, climbing time and pace in ft/min, or the time needed to burn a calorie target.
Versa Climber Calories Formula
Variables:
- VC is estimated gross energy (kcal), including resting metabolism
- BW is body mass (kg)
- T is workout time (min)
- r is actual climbing rate (m/min)
The regression estimates oxygen consumption as 0.9086r + 5.3245 mL/kg/min. Converting oxygen to energy assumes approximately 5 kcal/L. Inputs are limited to 100–160 ft/min (30.48–48.768 m/min), conservatively matching the plotted submaximal range. The study used 11 trained women, minimum resistance and full active arm/leg strokes. Original effort factors had no supplied validation and have been replaced by measured climbing rate.
Calories Burned Per Minute on a Versa Climber
| Body weight | 100 ft/min | 120 ft/min | 140 ft/min | 160 ft/min |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 lb | 9.0 | 10.5 | 12.0 | 13.5 |
| 150 lb | 11.2 | 13.1 | 15.0 | 16.9 |
| 180 lb | 13.5 | 15.7 | 18.0 | 20.3 |
| 210 lb | 15.7 | 18.4 | 21.0 | 23.6 |
How to Calculate Versa Climber Calories
- Select estimated calories or time, then enter body mass in pounds or kilograms.
- Enter actual climbing rate within 100–160 ft/min, or the equivalent m/min.
- Enter climbing time in minutes or gross energy amount in kcal, then select Calculate.
- Use the study regression and approximate oxygen-energy conversion above; actual individual energy expenditure can differ.
Example: For 160 lb (72.575 kg), 100 ft/min (30.48 m/min) and 20 minutes, the model gives VO₂ ≈ 33.019 mL/kg/min, about 11.982 kcal/min and 239.63 estimated gross kcal. This assumes study-like low resistance and technique.
FAQs
Is a Versa Climber full-body cardio?
Yes. It trains the legs, glutes, core, shoulders, arms, chest, and back while keeping the heart rate high.
How many calories does 30 minutes on a Versa Climber burn?
At 150 lb for 30 minutes, this model estimates about 337, 394, 450 and 507 gross kcal at measured rates of 100, 120, 140 and 160 ft/min respectively. These are model estimates, not guaranteed personal outcomes.
Why does effort level matter so much?
Climbing rate, technique and resistance affect energy demand. This regression includes actual climbing rate at minimum resistance; it does not independently model higher resistance or interval recovery.
How does a Versa Climber compare with other cardio machines?
The cited study found higher maximal oxygen uptake during VersaClimbing than treadmill or rowing tests in its trained female sample. It does not establish a universal calorie ranking across machines, people or effort levels.
