The Best Under Desk Bikes
As we should all know by now, sitting for eight hours a day is extremely bad for our health. Long periods of sitting have been linked to everything from increased blood pressure to abnormal cholesterol levels to high blood sugar. It's so important to build activity into your daily routine, but it can also be tough to do so. After all, sometimes the last thing you want to do after working a full day is hit the gym. If you're finding it hard to carve exercise into your daily schedule, then an under desk bike might just be perfect for you. Why? Simple: this nifty machine lets you keep your legs moving while you work. Here we have rounded up a few of our favorite ones.
Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Bike
Upgrade Your Workspace (and Your Life)
Even for the laziest among us, there’s no excuse for not being physically active when you have the Sunny Health & Fitness Exercise Bike conveniently placed below your work desk. This compact, high-powered machine is here to save you from your sedentary woes with its adjustable pedals (that fit both your feet and hands), eight levels of tension, and an easy-to-read LCD screen that shows you your time, speed, distance, and even calories burned. Get ready for mental clarity, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and improved overall health when you invest in this exercise bike from Sunny.
Pros:
- Pedals are adjustable and versatile; they work well with both your feet and hands
- Offers eight levels of tension
- Sleek, streamlined LCD
- Supports up to 220 pounds
- Compact, portable design fits well underneath any desk
Cons:
- The display fades a little over time
DeskCycle Under Desk Stationary Cycle
Whisper-Quiet and Powerful
The noise is minimal with this stationary model from DeskCycle, which is especially nice if you work in a relatively quiet work environment and don’t want to disrupt the flow. Choose from eight calibrated resistance settings to get the customized workout you want. Whichever you choose, the magnetic precision flywheel will ensure an ultra-quiet performance.
Pros:
- Patented magnetic resistance mechanism offers smooth, quiet pedal motion
- Eight calibrated resistance settings to choose from
- Easy to set up
Cons:
- The price point may be inaccessible for some
Tabeke Pedal Exerciser
An Ideal Fit for Any Work Desk
You can easily tuck the Tabeke Pedal Exerciser underneath your desk no matter the shape or height of your workspace thanks to this bike’s sleek, compact size and its ability to efficiently fold up when it’s not in use. What do we love about it? For starters, it’s noticeably much less bulky than some of its competitors, and it even has two pull rings for easy transport. The non-skid rubber foot pads provide traction and stability, protecting your floor from wear and tear, and the LCD monitor allows you to clearly see the data under natural light.
Pros:
- Folds up easily
- Lightweight size (not as bulky as others)
- Quiet, efficient operation
- No-slip shoe bands
- You can customize your exercise intensity
- Equipped with a large, easy-to-read LCD screen
Cons:
- The instructions could stand to be more detailed and clearer
TODO Pedal Exerciser
Full-Body Movement
Offering dual foot-and-hand action, the TODO Pedal Exerciser provides a full-body workout, helping to relieve tension and increase circulation throughout the entire body as opposed to just the legs. You can rotate the knob to adjust the resistance as you see fit, and the anti-slip rubber feet provide optimal stability while you churn your legs or arms. The result? Better physical health, improved focus at work, and even a lighter, happier mood.
Pros:
- Easy to store underneath virtually any desk thanks to its compact size
- You can set the maximum pedal height accordingly, depending on your desk size
- Each pedal features a non-slip surface with molded finger grips
- Adjustable resistance
- Noticeably more quiet operation than most
- Great for seniors, or anyone with an injury or who’s undergone surgery
Cons:
- Takes a little time to get used to the arm exercises
Deceli Under Desk Exercise Bike
Won't Slip or Slide Around
Keep your energy levels high and your mood as bright as possible (yes, even when you’re slaving away over tedious emails) with the Deceli Under Desk Exercise Bike, which has an excellent non-slip design to help prevent sliding and ensure better stability as you pump your legs. Aside from its four anti-skid rubber pads, this bike has adjustable foot bands and a multifunctional LCD monitor that clearly displays all your info, helping you keep track of your progress.
Pros:
- Includes four anti-skid rubber pads, which help to prevent sliding
- Offers true stability
- Adjustable foot bands are flexible enough to fit all sizes
- Simply rotate the knob to adjust the resistance level and intensity
- Exceptional value
- Easy to assemble
Cons:
- If you work in a cubicle, you may need to adjust your desk chair lower to the ground than you’re used to
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an under-desk bike help me burn calories?
It might, but in general, under-desk bikes don’t provide a super-intensive workout and shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for a good, sweaty cardio session. The real value of under-desk bikes is that they help keep your energy levels up throughout the day (no post-lunch coffee needed), by providing a low-impact form of exercise that’s good for the mind and body. Pedal desks can also have other health benefits, such as helping to prevent heart disease and diabetes.
Do you have any tips for how to start incorporating an under-desk bike into my office life?
Pedal desks do take some getting used to at first, so it’s important to take things slow when you’re just starting out. Begin by pedaling at the minimum resistance and work your way up from there. Also, pedaling downward and in short bursts that don’t exceed 30 minutes are both great ways to get your muscles used to biking consistently.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.