It’s been a busy month here, and I’ve put together the best of the best for you today. This article is for people who want the whole enchilada. With all the excellent office fitness equipment available these days, it can be a challenge to choose just one machine. That’s why this wonderful site is here to make your decision easy-peasy. You are now entering my guide to choosing the best under desk exercise equipment.
In this sparkly guide, I share:
- Top 10 Best Under Desk Exercise Machines
- A Helpful Buyer’s Guide
| Product | Description |
| #1) Cubii Pro Under Desk Elliptical
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| #2) JOROTO 2-in-1 Under Desk Elliptical & Mini Stepper
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| #3) DeskCycle 2
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| #4) Exerpeutic 900 Bluetooth Under-Desk Exercise Bike
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| #5) FitDesk Under Desk Cycle
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| #6) iMovR ThermoTread GT
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| #7) LifeSpan Fitness TR5000-DT3
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| #8) FlexiSpot Under-Desk Cycle
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| #9) Exerpeutic Exerwork 2000i
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| #10) ANCHEER PE-Bike Pro
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Under Desk Exercise Machine Buyer’s Guide
This is the crème de la crème of under-desk exercise equipment. In the guide below, I summarize how each type of machine works, along with the pros and cons of owning them. By the end of the guide, you’ll know without a doubt which piece of equipment is best for under your desk.
#1 Under Desk Elliptical Machine
The clear disadvantage is the ease of the workout. What makes this machine great also makes it burn the fewest calories of the bunch. Depending on your fitness goals, the under-desk elliptical might or might not be the perfect fit for you.
If you’re familiar with using a full-size elliptical machine, the movement is similar in a mini-elliptical machine, expect more compact. One qualm I have with all under-desk ellipticals and mini-cycles is calorie tracking. It’s almost impossible to accurately track calories burned without more advanced equipment such as a heart rate monitor. However, in the same breath, this is under-desk fitness, not hardcore fitness.
Are under desk ellipticals effective?
- An excellent low-impact cardio workout for improving circulation, recovering from injury/surgery, and physical therapy
- Very easy to assemble
- Truly whisper-quiet operation for a distraction-free experience
- They slide under almost any desk, and the user is less likely to strike their knees on the bottom of their desk than a cycle since the elliptical motion is more compact
- Burn more calories than sitting alone
- Engage your lower-body muscles for toning instead of resting them for hours on end
- Extremely easy to use, this benefit cannot be understated
- Bluetooth fitness tracking in the phone apps helps to keep you motivated
- Under-Desk Ellipticals are more prone to sliding around than other under-desk exercise equipment (may require an anti-slip mat on hard surfaces)
- The fitness stat tracking is only so accurate for calories, which is essential for people who are trying to lose weight
- The ease of the workout might be too easy for you
- Big and tall individuals might find the movement to be too compact
- Under-desk ellipticals are heavier than they look – mostly over 25 lbs – with no transportation wheels
#2 Under Desk Bikes & Cycles
If you opt for a stationary under-desk bike, your options are limited, and you may want to choose a bike with an integrated desk such as the Exerpeutic Exerwork 2000i. The folding frame of the Exerpeutic Exerwork 2000i makes it easy to stow away in the corner of your office or for use as a full-time desk in a home office. Personally, I prefer a stationary bike because the workout is harder, and the AirSoft seat is oh-so delightful.
Under Desk Elliptical vs Bike
- A higher-intensity, low-impact cardio workout than an under-desk elliptical
- Just as quiet, if not quieter, than an under-desk elliptical
- A greater range of resistance for switching between harder workouts and autopilot workouts to improve circulation
- Better fitness stat tracking apps, such as the MyCloudFitness app offered in Exerpeutic machines
- Optional chair hooks and straps to connect the unit to a chair or another fixed object
- Integrated transportation wheels for easy moving and storage
- Versatility: seniors and the elderly may also choose to use an under-desk pedal exerciser for arm exercises (this isn’t possible with an elliptical)
- The cycling motion is better for big & tall individuals than an elliptical motion
- Under-desk bike riders are more likely to hit their knees on the bottom of their desks (important to measure before buying)
- Like ellipticals, under-desk cycles can be heavier than they look and not senior-friendly
- Cycles are more prone to wobble than an elliptical
- Pedals with straps are more annoying to step out of than an elliptical (one reason I prefer strapless pedals, Tip: it’s possible to remove the DeskCycle 2 pedal straps)
#2 Under Desk Treadmill
The second consideration is the impact of the workout. While walking on a treadmill is a relatively low-impact cardio workout, exercising on an under-desk elliptical or cycle is a lot lower impact, especially on an elliptical. Also, standing up and walking while you work might not be your cup of tea since it requires a greater level of concentration.
Overall, under-desk treadmills are better for shared office spaces with standing desks or for individuals whose work requires less attention to detail, while ellipticals and bikes are better for people who want a low-impact, distraction-free workout experience.
Under Desk Treadmill Pros & Cons
- Better than ellipticals and cycles for burning calories
- Quieter operation than standard treadmills (most users are impressed by how quiet iMovR and LifeSpan treadmills are)
- More accurate fitness tracking
- The best under-desk exercise machine for use with a standing desk
- No need to worry about a treadmill sliding around or wobbling
- One reason a lot of people don’t use treadmills is they get bored. The ability to work while walking on a treadmill is undeniably awesome and will lead to many more miles walked (calories burned) each month.
- Treadmills are the best office exercise equipment for weight loss
- It’s easy to hop on and off a treadmill if you like to stay mobile while you work (the automatic pause function on LifeSpan treadmills is pretty cool)
- Better speed options and workout intensity control
- A quality under-desk treadmill costs significantly more than an elliptical or cycle
- A LOT harder to move than an elliptical or cycle (The LifeSpan TR5000 weighs well over 100 lbs)
- The workout requires more of your focus and requires you to stand in most cases
- May require an additional purchase of a standing desk or desk riser
- A significantly larger footprint than an elliptical or cycle
Bottom Line
Since you made it this far, I’m confident that you know everything you need to know about the best under desk exercise equipment on the market. I’m also sure that you know which piece of equipment is best suited for your workspace.
Ellipticals, bikes, and treadmills all have their pluses and minuses. Depending on your needs, your job, and your desired intensity level, there’s a machine that matches you. Which machine did you choose?
