Product innovation
UFC fighters rising to the top with the Versaclimber
The Versaclimber stepping and climbing exercise machine has become a popular choice of training equipment for the stars of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Used by fighters such as Kenny Florian, Jeff “The Snowman” Monson and former UFC champion Chuck Liddell, the Versaclimber is now regarded as an important tool for success in mixed martial arts (MMA) competition.
As one of the only full-body, non-impact, cardiovascular machines on the market, the Versaclimber claims to be perfectly suited to the rigours of MMA training.
The specialist challenges of a sport like MMA present unique tests for fighters hoping to achieve their goals in the octagon. Training is brutal, focusing on equipping fighters with the necessary power and endurance to defeat their opponent over five punishing rounds of combat.
UFC fighter Kenny Florian explains: "To be successful in UFC you have to be strong, versatile, athletic and flexible and the Versaclimber is the machine that more and more fighters are turning to in order to achieve these targets.
"For specific goals you have to concentrate on specific training methods. Things like jogging might work for other sports, but generally speaking those types of exercises simply will not provide the power for sudden, intermittent bursts of force that you need to compete in MMA. That’s why I use the Versaclimber."
The non-impact design of the Versaclimber eliminates joint injuries to knees and hips which can otherwise cause major problems, especially in heavier athletes with greater muscle mass.