Sole CC81 Cardio Climber If you want a low-impact climb that fires the legs and glutes in a footprint of just 150 cm x 79 cm, the CC81 pairs a 25.4 cm step-up height with moving arms that travel up to 38 cm for a full-body session. Twenty levels of magnetic resistance let you dial the effort from an easy warm-up to a hard HIIT push on the same machine. It suits a home trainer who wants vertical climbing with real data: Bluetooth syncs the SOLE+ app with Zwift, Strava and Apple Health, and the frame carries a 5-year warranty. With a 150 kg user weight limit and 4-position multi-grip handlebars, it fits taller and heavier users comfortably. Is this cardio climber right for you? This cardio climber is right for you if: You want a low-impact, weight-bearing climb that works legs and arms together with a 25.4 cm step-up height You train 3 to 5 days a week and want 20 magnetic resistance levels to progress into You like syncing sessions to apps like Zwift, Strava or Apple Health over Bluetooth You weigh up to 150 kg and want a 100 kg machine that stays planted at pace Look at another option if: You only train occasionally and a simpler manual stepper covers your needs You have low ceilings and can't fit a unit standing 218 cm tall with a rider on top You want a large HD touchscreen with built-in streaming rather than a 5 inch LCD and your own tablet You're on a tighter budget and happy with fewer resistance levels and no app connectivity Adela's Take What strikes me on the CC81 is the 25.4 cm step-up paired with 20 magnetic levels: it climbs harder than most steppers, working your glutes and calves properly. At 218 cm tall it needs a room with real height clearance, so measure first. The built-in Bluetooth heart-rate receiver takes a chest strap, worth adding for accurate zones. Adela Ledvinkova · Bachelor of Exercise & Sport Science · Our In-House Fitness Coach At a Glance 20 levels of ECB magnetic resistance 4-position height-adjustable multi-grip handlebars Bluetooth app sync with SOLE+ App 6 preset workout programmes 5-year warranty 38 cm oversized non-slip pedals 150 kg maximum user weight capacity 5-inch LCD console display Dual water bottle holder included 150 cm × 79 cm footprint 20 Levels of ECB Magnetic Resistance The magnetic resistance is contactless, so nothing rubs or wears down over time and the ride stays smooth from level 1 to 20. You control it with a manual turn-dial knob, so a quick twist takes you from an easy warm-up to a hard grind mid-session. 20 levels of ECB magnetic resistance Manual turn-dial knob for on-the-fly adjustment 10.2 kg flywheel for a steady, even feel What this means for you: The wide resistance range means the same machine suits an easy recovery day and a leg-burning climb without any change to your setup. Vertical Climb and Step Motion This is a vertical cardio climber, which means you drive through your legs and pull with your arms in one full-body movement. The 25.4 cm step-up height keeps each stride tall enough to work the glutes and quads properly rather than a shallow shuffle. Vertical cardio climber and stepper design Step-up height: 25.4 cm Arm travel range: 2.5 cm to 38 cm Combined arm-and-leg motion for full-body work What this means for you: In my experience, climbers pack a lot of work into a short session, so this suits anyone short on time who still wants their heart rate up fast. 4-Position Handlebars and 38 cm Oversized Pedals The multi-grip handlebars adjust across four height positions, so taller and shorter users can each find a stance that keeps their posture upright. The 38 cm oversized, non-slip pedals give your feet room to sit flat and secure, even in trainers, through the full climb. 4-position height-adjustable multi-grip handlebars 38 cm oversized, non-slip pedals Multiple hand positions to vary muscle emphasis What this means for you: If more than one person in the house will use it, the quick height adjustment means nobody is stuck training in someone else's setup. 6 Built-In Workout Programs The console runs six programs, so you can follow a set structure instead of guessing at resistance changes yourself. They cover a spread of goals from steady cardio through to short, sharp interval work. 6 programs: Manual, Hill, Fat Burn, Cardio, Strength, HIIT Manual mode for full self-control HIIT program for time-efficient interval sessions What this means for you: When I coach first-time climbers, having a program guide the intensity for you takes away the guesswork and keeps sessions honest. 5" x 3" LCD Console with Water and Tablet Holders The 5" x 3" LCD screen keeps your key numbers in view so you can track effort without squinting or reaching for your phone. A dual water bottle holder and tablet shelf sit within reach, so your drink and screen stay put through the session. 5" x 3" LCD display Dual water bottle holder Tablet shelf for a phone or tablet Bluetooth and SOLE+ App Connectivity Bluetooth pairs the climber with the SOLE+ app, so you can log sessions and follow along on your own device. It also syncs across Zwift, Kinomap, Strava, Apple Health, Google Fit, MapMyFitness and Fitbit, so your data lands wherever you already track it. Bluetooth connectivity for the SOLE+ app Syncs with Zwift, Kinomap, Strava, Apple Health, Google Fit, MapMyFitness and Fitbit Built-in Bluetooth wireless heart rate receiver What this means for you: App pairing is optional, not essential. The console runs every program without a phone if you'd rather keep it simple. Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitoring A built-in Bluetooth wireless receiver reads your heart rate, so you can train by effort rather than by feel alone. It works with a compatible chest strap for a steadier, more accurate reading. Built-in Bluetooth wireless heart rate receiver Chest strap compatible What this means for you: Pair a chest strap (around $80) to actually train at the right aerobic intensity for weight loss, where heart-rate accuracy matters most. 100 kg Frame, 150 kg User Capacity and Transport Wheels At 100 kg with a 150 kg maximum user weight, this is a heavy, stable machine that holds firm through hard climbing efforts. Front transport wheels and leveling feet mean you can tilt and roll it into position, then settle it steady on an uneven floor. Net weight: 100 kg for a planted, stable feel Maximum user weight: 150 kg Footprint: 150 cm x 79 cm Assembled height: 218 cm Front transport wheels and leveling feet What this means for you: The 218 cm height sits under a standard 2.4 m ceiling, but check your clearance first since your reach adds to that on the top step. 5-year Frame Warranty The warranty covers the build with a 5-year frame warranty, so the part that takes the load is protected for as long as you own it. Parts and labour cover give you a window to sort any teething issues. 5-year frame warranty 2-years motor 1-year parts What this means for you: A 5-year frame warranty isn't marketing; it's the brand expecting this frame to outlast your interest in climbing. It's covered by our 100-day money-back guarantee too, so you can try it at home and return it if it's not right. Specifications Model Sole CC81 Cardio Climber Brand Sole Fitness SKU SOL0089 Machine Type Vertical Cardio Climber / Stepper Flywheel Weight 10.2 kg Resistance System 20 levels of ECB magnetic resistance Resistance Control Manual turn-dial knob Handlebars 4-position height-adjustable multi-grip Arm Travel Range 2.5 cm to 38 cm Pedals 38 cm oversized, non-slip Console Display 5" x 3" LCD screen Workout Programs 6 (Manual, Hill, Fat Burn, Cardio, Strength, HIIT) App Connectivity Bluetooth for SOLE+ App (syncs with Zwift, Kinomap, Strava, Apple Health, Google Fit, MapMyFitness, Fitbit) Heart Rate Monitoring Built-in Bluetooth wireless receiver (chest strap compatible) Power Requirements AC power adapter (110V-240V) Features Dual water bottle holder, tablet shelf, leveling feet, front transport wheels Assembled Dimensions 150 cm (L) x 79 cm (W) x 218 cm (H) Footprint 150 cm x 79 cm Step-Up Height 25.4 cm Net Weight 100 kg Maximum User Weight 150 kg Packaging 1 heavy carton Warranty 5-year frame, 2-years motor, 1 year parts What's in the Box & Setup Effort: 45 minutes to 2 hours (2 adults recommended due to the 100 kg machine weight). Tools: phillips screwdriver, allen / hex key and spanner / wrench (bolts and fixings included). What arrives Sole CC81 Cardio Climber main unit (pre-assembled frame and climbing mechanism) 4-position height-adjustable multi-grip handlebars Hardware bolt pack (fasteners, leveling feet, front transport wheels) Assembly manual and quick-start guide Setup reality The frame arrives pre-assembled; you assemble the handlebars, pedals, and console bracket. Assembly takes around 45 minutes to 2 hours across 4 primary hardware steps, with two adults recommended to safely position and level the 100 kg frame. Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, Allen/hex key and spanner/wrench; all fasteners are included. The assembled unit weighs 100 kg, so plan how you will move it into place once built. Frequently Asked Questions How much ceiling height do I need for the CC81? The CC81 stands 218 cm tall assembled, and you step up onto pedals with a 25.4 cm step-up height, so add your own height on top of the machine. In a standard 2.4 m ceiling that usually works for most people, but if your room is lower than 2.4 m or you're tall, measure first. You want clear headroom at the top of your stride. What's the difference between this and a regular stepper or elliptical? The CC81 combines a vertical climbing motion with moving arm handles, so you drive with your legs and pull with your upper body at the same time. The 25.4 cm step-up height and 2.5 cm to 38 cm arm travel mean it recruits more muscle per stride than a flat elliptical. It's a full-body cardio machine, not just a leg workout. Does it work without a phone or app? Yes. The 5" x 3" LCD console runs all six programs (Manual, Hill, Fat Burn, Cardio, Strength, HIIT) and the 20 resistance levels on its own, no phone needed. The SOLE+ App and Bluetooth link to Zwift, Strava, Kinomap and the rest are optional extras. Pair them if you want the data and virtual routes, but the machine is fully usable without any of it. How accurate is the heart rate reading? The CC81 has a built-in Bluetooth wireless receiver, so it reads heart rate from a compatible chest strap rather than hand grips. That's the setup I'd want anyway. A chest strap gives you reliable HR zones for cardio and fat-burn work, where grip sensors tend to drift. If you're training to specific zones, pair a strap and you'll get numbers you can actually trust. How much space does it take up? The footprint is 150 cm long by 79 cm wide, so plan for a floor space a bit larger than that for safe stepping room around it. It stands 218 cm tall and doesn't fold, so treat the spot as permanent before you build it. Front transport wheels let you tilt and roll it to reposition, but at 100 kg it's not something you'll shift often. Who is the CC81 suited to, and what's the user weight limit? It supports users up to 150 kg. The 4-position adjustable handlebars and 20 resistance levels suit everyone from someone starting out on level 3 to an experienced trainer pushing HIIT intervals. If you want low-impact, full-body cardio that helps with conditioning and calorie burn without the pounding of running, this is a strong fit. How long does assembly take and what will I need? Plan for roughly 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on your experience. One person can manage it, but a second pair of hands makes the heavy lifts and final positioning much easier. You'll need a phillips screwdriver, an allen/hex key and a spanner. Bolts and fixings are included. The assembled unit is about 100 kg, so decide where it's going before you start. What's covered by the warranty, and what if I change my mind? The CC81 comes with a 5-years frame warranty, 2 years on parts and 1 year on labour, all handled by us here in Australia. If it's covered by the 100-day money-back guarantee badge on this page, you can try it and return it in as-new, repackaged condition within 100 days with no restocking fee. Return shipping is yours; we can book it for you. Sole CC81 Cardio Climber User Manual Click below to download the user manual.