Top 10 Best Under Desk Bikes & Cycles • 2023 Reviews

Who thought that riding an exercise bike at your desk would be a thing? Well, it is, and it’s super awesome. There are two primary types of exercise desk bikes for all the office fitness enthusiasts out there. The first type is the stationary under-desk bike that’s essentially a stationary exercise bike with a desk attached to it. The advantages of this type of bike are more calories burned and a more comfortable overall experience. The second type of desk cycle is a mini under-desk cycle or “pedal exerciser“. In this article, I share both versions. Welcome to my handy guide to choosing the best under desk bike.

In this original guide, I share:

Under Desk Cycle Reviews

Now that you’ve seen the full collection of top desk cycles on the market, let’s take a closer look at the bikes in my Top 10 to give you the best chance of choosing the right one for your workspace. It’s important to keep in mind that some under desk cycles are compatible with most desks – including low desks – while other desk bikes are made for standing desks.

Of the types available, my personal favorites are the stationary and recumbent under-desk bikes. These models offer the most comfortable experience and the best workout. While I do like the mini under-desk cycles, they don’t offer the same level of comfort or as hard of a workout. Let’s start with the most versatile under desk cycle, the FlexiSpot.

#1) FlexiSpot

The FlexiSport Sit-Stand Desk Cycle is the most versatile under-desk bike in my Top 10. With the FlexiSpot cycle, you have the option to use it at an existing standing desk or use it with a standard desk. Depending on the height of your existing desk, you might want to consider adding a sit-stand desk converter to make it work with the FlexiSpot Cycle.

What I like the most about the FlexiSpot – outside of versatility – are the transportation wheels, chair adjustment lever, quiet magnetic resistance (8 levels), strapless pedals, and the compact frame. You’ll also be happy to know that there’s no assembly required with this bike; it’s ready to go right out of the box and weighs just 51 lbs, yet accommodates up to 300 lbs.

Lastly, the built-in console tracks your most important fitness stats including calories burned, time, and distance. The clear drawback is no backrest, which you’ll find in the recumbent under desk bikes later in my guide. Or if you’re in love with your current desk chair, a mini desk cycle might be better for you.

#2) Exerpeutic ExerWorK 2000i

The Exerpeutic 2000i is an all-in-1 under desk exercise bike and desktop. Outside of the recumbent under desk cycles, this model is the most comfortable in my Top 10. This bike also comes fully loaded with features including Bluetooth connectivity with the MyCloudFitness app to keep track of your exercise stats. If you’re aiming to hit a set number of calories burned each day or distance, this bike will get the job done and more.

The sturdy frame supports a massive 400 lbs despite being compact. The advantage I like a lot in this bike over the FlexiSpot is the large contoured backrest & AirSoft cushioned seat. The disadvantage is the 2000i weighs more at 68.8 lbs, though it does have transportation wheels. The frame is foldable, making it easy to store in an office or home closet.

You also have the option to use the desk as a standing desk when not cycling by simply adjusting the height. Overall, this is an awesome under-desk stationary cycle that’s undoubtedly one of the best available for a low-impact cardio workout in your office.

#3) FitDesk 3.0

FitDesk is one of the top manufacturers of office exercise equipment, and I like some of the unique touches the company adds to its machines. For example, I’m a big fan of the hands-free foot shifter found on the mini under-desk cycle over the adjustable tension knob most machines feature. FitDesk is also known for its true whisper-quiet operation, making FitDesk equipment a top choice for shared office spaces.

The FitDesk stationary under-desk cycle with an integrated desk is very similar to the Exerpeutic 2000i. A couple of cool features FitDesk added to its desk cycle are built-in resistance bands for upper-body cardio work, and my personal favorite feature, the adjustable armrest with massage rollers. That feature alone is enough to sell me on this bike before others. If you type a lot and like the idea of having your forearms massaged while you type, this bike is certainly worth your consideration.

#4) Exerpeutic 2500

Of all the cycles in my Top 10, the Exerpeutic 2500 Under-Desk Recumbent Bike is my personal favorite. The 2500 epitomizes what under-desk fitness is all about: the ability to burn calories on near autopilot without sacrificing focus on your work. The key to achieving the optimal office fitness setup is to find the machine that’ll give you a workout without distracting you. Of all the available under-desk cycle models, the recumbent is the most comfortable.

A problem with mini under-desk cycles is they tend to slide around or just don’t provide enough resistance to get a real workout. They’re great for keeping the blood pumping, not so great for burning calories. The 2500 recumbent is a real exercise bike that delivers a real cardio workout while you work comfortably on your laptop.

The seat and desktop are fully adjustable to help you lock in the perfect position. If you value lumbar support like me, you get it with the 2500 backrest. The 3.3″ extra-thick AirSoft seat is more comfortable than you’ll find in competing models. The final feature I want to highlight is the 3-way adjustable desktop that allows you to get the perfect viewing angle.

#5) Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RBD4703

My #2 under desk recumbent bike is the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RBD4703. It’s not quite as action-packed as the Exerpeutic 2500, yet it delivers on all the most important fronts. Plus, it costs less. Sunny Health & Fitness is one of the more reliable manufacturers of mid-range to budget home exercise equipment, unlike a lot of fly-by-night companies that come and go in the fitness industry.

Don’t worry, the SF-RBD4703 also features a cup holder. One standout feature I like about the SF-RBD4703 is the conveniently-placed tension switch. I like this “switch” design a lot more than a knob. Other nice touches are the chair adjustment lever, step-through frame to prevent any accidental trips & collisions, and a large adjustable desktop.

#6) Exerpeutic ExerWorK 1000

Completing my under-desk exercise bike reviews is the ExerWorK 1000. Of all the stationary under-desk bikes in my Top 10, the ExerWorK 1000 is the most affordable option. It’s also the lightest by a few lbs, yet offers a lower weight capacity of 300 lbs. The AirSoft seat in the 1000 model is slightly thinner than the recumbent model at 2.5″ instead of 3.3″. Regardless, it’s a comfortable seat, much better than you’ll find in imitation brands.

All in all, the ExerWorK 1000 design is very similar to the ExerWorK 2000i, minus the integrated Bluetooth and 24 workout programs featured in the 2000i. Depending on your needs, you might find that the ExerWorK 1000 is the better option for a significantly lower price.

Buyer’s Guide

In this final section, I’ll summarize several key considerations to make before you decide which under-desk bike is perfect for your home or office.

Consider the Type of Under-Desk Bike

Consider the type of under-desk cycle that suits your needs before you buy one. Below is a list of the types available:

1. Under Desk Mini Bike (featured in the 1st photo above)
2. Stationary Under Desk Bike (featured in the 2nd photo above)
3. Under Desk Recumbent Bike
4. Sit-Stand Under Desk Bike (e.g. FlexiSpot)

Under-desk mini bikes are the most portable and compatible with the widest range of desk sizes, yet they offer the least challenging workout.

Recumbent under-desk cycles are the most comfortable, yet they have the most complaints about knees hitting and other quality control issues.

Stationary under desk bikes are the most reliable and offer the most options as far as models currently available to suit your needs.

Be sure to consider your fitness goals, the dimensions of your workspace, and which type of desk you prefer.

Weight Capacity

Stationary and recumbent under-desk bikes have stated max weight limits in the product description. Check to make sure that you buy a bike that’s suitable for you and everyone who plans to use the bike to avoid any safety issues.

Warranty

Since under-desk cycles aren’t the smallest of investments, I opted to include the most trustworthy companies with the highest customer service marks in my Top 10. These 10 bikes are backed by warranties from legit companies. The last thing you want to do is buy from a lesser-known company and end up with a dud that’s unreturnable.

Dimensions

It’s always a good idea to check the dimensions of your workspace and consider your height. Most companies list height ranges that fit their bikes. You might also want to check what current owners are saying because I noticed a few negative reports written by people who are within the stated height range of the bike and couldn’t make it work for them.

Bottom Line

Under-desk bikes offer one of the best office cardio workouts, and they require less concentration than other machines. If you have a job that requires a lot of focus, an under-desk bike is probably a better option than a treadmill. While I like mini under-desk bikes, stationary and recumbent are better options for burning calories. Which bike did you choose for your office?

Jump Back to My Top 10