First of all, let me preface this question by apologizing if it sounds plebeian in any way.

I live in a non-hilly/mountainous region of the northeastern US, and am an aspiring 46er/111er. To compensate for the lack of outdoor training opportunities and enjoyable winter weather, I have been completing most of my preparation for these mountains in the gym. To prepare for last summer’s hiking season, I had a routine of functional strength training, running, spin class, and time of the StairMill, and when I actually got to the mountains, I felt stronger and more prepared than I ever had before.

I attempted to recreate this routine as closely as possible from home, after COVID forced gyms to close. However, many elements had to be left out entirely, and I found myself woefully underprepared for this year’s trip. With gyms still closed and fears of a second wave of COVID, I plan to make a few additions to my home gym, which leads to my question.

After considering what was “cut” from my fitness preparations, and re-reading sections os TFTNA, I think part of my problem was I did not have access to the StairMill. However, I do not have the room nor the budget to afford one of my own, and so was considering a vertical climber instead. Have any of you found these to be useful or effective in your training? Is a vertical climber a viable alternative to a StairMill?