Versaclimber Gets New Majority Owners As Longtime Execs Take Control

The popular vertical climbing equipment brand, long used by LeBron James and other athletes, is planning new investments in product innovation, education and global growth

VersaClimber, the 45-year-old fitness equipment brand known for its vertical climbing machines and popularity among elite athletes, has transitioned to new majority ownership, with two longtime executives taking control of the company.

Shane Schieffer and Jim Siegrist have acquired majority ownership of the Santa Ana, California-based company, with Schieffer becoming CEO and Siegrist assuming the roles of president and chief revenue officer. Financial terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed.

The Charnitski family, which founded VersaClimber in 1981, will retain an ownership stake. Mike Charnitski, who previously led the company’s engineering efforts, will continue advising on engineering, manufacturing and research and development.

Schieffer has spent nearly a decade overseeing VersaClimber’s strategy, operations and product development, while Siegrist has led sales, marketing and industry partnerships for nearly four years. Siegrist has helped establish relationships with fitness brands including Lagree Fitness and TRX.

“VersaClimber has spent 45 years earning something that cannot be manufactured quickly: trust,” Schieffer said. “Jim and I have worked alongside this team long enough to understand why that trust exists. Our responsibility is to protect what created it, invest in it, and help more people discover what VersaClimber can do.”

Invented by Dick Charnitski in 1981, VersaClimber helped establish vertical climbing as a fitness modality, offering a low-impact, full-body workout that combines cardiovascular conditioning with upper- and lower-body movement.

The equipment has become a fixture in professional sports training, with NBA superstar LeBron James among its most prominent longtime users. James has publicly praised the machine throughout his career, once telling ESPN that if he could use only one piece of fitness equipment for the rest of his life, he would choose the VersaClimber.

The four-time NBA champion has incorporated the machine into his conditioning routine for years, while his longtime trainer, Mike Mancias, has highlighted its ability to deliver cardiovascular conditioning without the joint impact associated with running.

VersaClimber has also gained recognition beyond professional sports, appearing in “Rocky IV” and attracting users including Lady Gaga and actor J.K. Simmons.

Under its new ownership, the company said it plans to invest in product development, digital experiences and customer support while expanding trainer education, certification and programming.

The strategy also includes working more closely with coaches, athletes, studio operators and other customers to inform future products and services.

“This is not about leaving VersaClimber’s past behind. It is about carrying that legacy forward with purpose,” Siegrist said.

“VersaClimber has earned its credibility because the equipment produces results, is built to last, and serves an unusually broad range of people,” he added. “We have an opportunity to help more customers understand that VersaClimber is more than a cardio machine — it is a versatile platform for performance, conditioning, low-impact training, recovery and longevity.”

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