The Best Elliptical Machines To Put Under Your Desk
Whether it’s at the office or at home, most people spend a huge chunk of time sitting at a desk these days. And while it can be difficult to find the time to get up and go for a short walk to get the blood flowing, a good under-the-desk elliptical machine can help address your lack of exercise. Compact and requiring minimal space to utilize, these ellipticals are easy to install and can provide you with a solid workout. Check out our list of the best elliptical machines to put under your desk below.
What To Look For
Taking convenience, versatility, and value into consideration, we found the most useful and exciting under-desk elliptical machines on the market. For example, Cubii’s JR1 provides a low-impact workout that is gentle on your joints so you can keep working out pain-free. And Sursport’s compact elliptical uses magnetic resistance to offer you an extremely quiet workout so you don’t disturb your coworkers. Keep on reading to learn more about our favorite options and find the one that’s right for you.
Cubii JR1 Elliptical Machine
Stress-free, pain-free
If you’re suffering from joint pain in your knees that makes exercising difficult, consider Cubii’s JR1 elliptical machine. With a motor that smoothly rotates as you pedal, this machine minimizes the stress on your ankles and knees, allowing you to work out longer and with less pain. It also has a built-in LCD that tells you how many calories you’ve burned, your distance traveled, and how long you’ve worked out so you can track your progress. And if you’re up for a challenge, this machine has eight resistance levels to choose from as you go.
Pros:
- This elliptical smooth motion allows you to spend more pedaling and less time fighting against the machine.
- We love how low-impact this machine is on the joints, allowing you to exercise even if you have chronic issues that standard machines can aggravate.
Cons:
- This elliptical isn’t the cheapest option, but it is well worth the cost.
Sunny Health & Fitness Elliptical Machine
Sleek and simple
Sunny Health & Fitness’ elliptical is the perfect workout machine to take with you on the go, with a built-in carrying handle that makes transporting it quick and easy. Whether you want to use it at the office or in the hotel as you travel, this machine can be fully operated anywhere you have a seat to help you exercise when you’re limited on space and time. It has two non-slip foot pads to prevent your feet from accidentally sliding off as you pedal, and changing resistance levels is as easy as turning a knob.
Pros:
- Beneath each pedal is a gliding wheel to help the pedals smoothly move back and forth, giving you the stability and control you want as you sit and exercise.
- This elliptical is very affordable, making it a good option if you’re on a budget.
- With no assembly required, this machine can be less frustrating to start using than others.
Cons:
- Because of its slightly taller frame, this elliptical may not be the best if you have a shorter desk.
LifePro Under-Desk Elliptical
Safe, strong, and sturdy
It’s important to have sturdy workout equipment to prevent accidents or injuries when you work out, and LifePro’s under-desk elliptical is built for exactly that. With a wide base and durable metal frame, this machine has the stability needed to prevent it from shifting or turning as you pedal, allowing you to concentrate on other things as you exercise. Even the pedals themselves have a non-slip rubber surface to keep your feet firmly in place as they go up and down. And best yet, this elliptical is extremely easy to assemble, only requiring you to attach a few parts to have it up and running.
Pros:
- The non-slip surface on both pedals gives you solid traction even if you’re not wearing shoes.
- The assembly time on this elliptical is very quick. You can get it up and running in about 10 minutes.
Cons:
- The backlighting on the LCD isn’t the greatest, so you might have trouble reading it in high-glare or low-light environments.
Stamina InMotion Strider
Affordable exercise
Unlike other elliptical machines, Stamina’s InMotion Strider is more than just a workout machine for your legs. With two resistance cables, this elliptical can provide a full-body workout even as you sit. Simply clip them into the hooks in the front of the frame and you can work out your arms, shoulders, and back as you pedal at the same time. And if you prefer to exercise standing up, this elliptical can even be used in an upright walking position, capable of holding up to 250 pounds.
Pros:
- This elliptical is very versatile, so you can use it sitting or standing.
- Very affordably priced, this elliptical is a fantastic value considering everything it offers.
Cons:
- There aren’t any handlebars, so standing up isn’t easy for those with poor balance.
Sursport Under-Desk Elliptical
Smooth and silent
If you’re looking for a quiet elliptical that won’t disturb your coworkers or family members as you exercise, Sursport’s machine is perfect for you. Using magnets to create its resistance, the motor operates with less friction, significantly reducing the amount of noise it creates as you pedal. This reduced friction also creates a smoother workout experience, making it easier on your joints as you work out.
Pros:
- It has an LCD screen that can be used to track your workouts.
- The built-in handle makes storage super easy, so it’s ideal for those that need to move it after a session.
- The magnetic resistance is extremely effective at creating a smooth and quiet workout appropriate at any time of the day.
- Assembly of this elliptical is quick and easy, with the necessary tools provided for your convenience.
Cons:
- While its weight help makes it stable as you work out, at 35 pounds it is definitely on the heavier side, making it more difficult to constantly move.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do ellipticals with magnetic resistance work?
Ellipticals with magnetic resistance adjust the distance of a magnet to the internal flywheel to increase or decrease how difficult it is to turn it. By moving the magnet closer to the flywheel, the more resistance it creates, and the further away it is, the easier it is for the flywheel to turn. Most under-the-desk ellipticals use a knob to adjust their magnet’s distance.
What are some tips for using my under-the-desk elliptical?
When using an under-the-desk elliptical, one tip we suggest is putting it at a distance where your knee is slightly bent when the pedal is farthest away from you. This will help reduce the stress on your knee as it extends and prevents it from hitting your desk as your pedal. We also recommend starting out with low resistance when you first use your machine to help you get used to the motion and adjust your body to the activity. Lastly, wearing shoes as you use your elliptical can help ensure you have good traction as you pedal, making your workout easier and safer overall.
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