By Vicky Waite
Jacobs ladder climber
Here I am walking the streets selling advertising for our June issue. My cell phone goes off, magazines falling in the rain puddles. I answer and it’s my long time friend from South Philly. We try to get together every few years. My good friend, Anita is a huge movie buff, (always talking about the latest movies to the past movies).
Typical Anita jumping from one topic to the next, now she’s back to talking about movies to having me be her guest at the Sporting Club at the Bellevue. It sounded good to me! So we arranged a meeting and went to her club together.
We meet a few weeks later and Anita chose to drive. Anita begins talking about movies again and the Sporting club. She mentions, “Jacobs Ladder.” I’m thinking, hope she changes the subject because I saw that movie years ago and wasn’t a big fan of it. Thinking further I realized I saw it with her. I remember suffering through the whole movie. Of course Anita loved it!
We arrive at the club and Anita begins to show me around. She takes me to a new machine that looks like an escalator. This really stood out to me. I started playing around the controls. Anita had me hop off as she jumps on to show me how it works. Wow, I begin to really like this. And, get this the name of this, so called, manual escalator, is Jacobs Ladder! Typical Anita talking about two subjects at once, as always.
Anita gives me some quick instruction and I’m ready to go. Let the fun begin! I slowly begin with the belt attached and providing security. I find it easy to operate. My speed is adjusted by climbing faster or slower. The ladder automatically adjusts to my desired pace. The heart monitor, which is included, is easy to monitor.
There are handrails on the side to use in case you get tired of using your hands. I am climbing at my own pace, starting out slow and building up momentum. Talk about a sweat! You actually lift your entire body weight over a 12” step. It’s probably best to start at 50-60 feet per minute even though this seems slow at first. This is the best way to get a feel for the intensity and the movement. Once you do so, you can then go any speed and distance combination.
The Jacobs Ladder is designed to take the stress off the lower back. The workout is a low impact for the back, making it a positive climbing motion so there isn’t any bouncing that you get like you would with a treadmill or elliptical machine. Plus the arm and leg movement of the climb is not only great for those stomach muscles but also works the muscles around the spine. I found out that many physical therapists and chiropractors are customers of the Jacobs Ladder.
Like swimming, climbing on this machine, will work both the upper and lower body. After my day was done with Anita, I went home and did some more research. Their website calls it an elevated treadmill climber. It defines it as a treadmill raised at a 40-degree angle, with rungs instead of a rubber belt.
The Jacobs Ladder is self-powered so there is no electricity needed. The faster you climb the faster you go. The nice thing about this machine is that it’s not set to any speed or level, as in that of treadmills and stair climbers. It’s a self-powered machine, which allows you to take it at your own pace.
Another big plus is while you are climbing, your body is protected from any hard pounding and any stressful movements. This machine is a great cardiovascular experience. I do like the Jacobs Ladder very much. And, I’m not talking about the movie! It’s always good to contact your physician before considering any exercise program. For more information on the Jacobs Ladder go to www.jacobsladderexercise.