Incorporate more movement into your working days with an under-desk bike
Many of us spend the majority of the work day sitting at a desk, which can not only leave us feeling sluggish but also have some serious health consequences.
Sedentary behaviour has been associated with health risks such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity and more. Not to mention that sitting for an extended period of time can lead to a tight back and hip flexors, plus other issues like poor posture.
If you have not choice but to be stationed at your desk all day, you should be taking regular screen breaks and getting up to move around. “A good rule of thumb is to try to move every hour for a few minutes," advises certified personal trainer, Stefani Sassos, who's based in our US Good Housekeeping Institute wellness lab.
But if you often forget to do that, there's a smart way you can still burn calories and get in some movement: an under-desk bike. Adding an under-desk exercise machine to your set-up can help boost your energy, get your heart pumping and bring some movement to an otherwise sedentary job.
How does an under desk bike compare to an under-desk treadmill?
The biggest difference is that you're sitting down on an under-desk bike, whereas you're required to stand up and invest in a standing desk to use an under-desk treadmill. "You'll likely burn more calories on an under-desk treadmill, but they tend to be a bit more intensive to use and are also considerably larger and heavier and not as easy to move around," says Sassos.
As you're walking on an under-desk treadmill, they can also potentially generate more noise than their under-desk bike or elliptical counterparts.
“In general, cycling is also lower impact than walking or jogging, so keep this in mind as well if you don't want to put undue stress on your joints,” Sassos adds.
Our senior health and wellness writer swears by their under-desk treadmill. Read their full review.
What to look for when shopping for an under-desk bike
While the models on the market may all seem quite similar, there are a few features you'll want to consider before making your purchase.
✔️ Size and weight: Double check the dimensions of your under desk bike to ensure it will fit under your desk. Keep in mind it will raise the level of your knees as you use it, so make sure there's enough clearance for your full range of motion. You should also check the weight of your machine if you plan on moving it from your desk to the couch or elsewhere, as some machines are lighter and more portable than others (some have wheels too).
✔️ Features: Look for features like secure and durable straps for your feet as well as wheels or handles so your equipment is easy to move around. Ask yourself if you want your machine to have multi-resistance options and if the adjustable knob looks easily accessible. Does the machine feature a non-slip bottom so the model stays firmly in place or does it come with a mat to keep it from moving? What about the display — is it easy to read? These are all factors to consider.
✔️ Noise level: Some under desk bikes will be noisier than others. If a quiet machine is important to you so you’re not distracted as you work or watch TV, check customer reviews for mention of noise levels.
Now, let's get the peddle to the metal...
2 Under Desk Bike
You can achieve a variety of goals with this bike, as it features eight different resistance settings, so you can adjust the difficulty levels to suit. You can also change the pedal height to work with various office set-ups, so your knees won't hit your desk. Plus, it claims to be fairly quiet, so your colleagues won't even know you're getting your pedal on during Zoom calls.
As well as allowing you to cycle both forward and backward, this bike comes with an LCD display that shows you metrics, such as calories burned, speed, time and distance. Simply adjust the velcro strap to ensure your foot remains secured against the pedal and start cycling. Our only quibble is that this bike doesn't come with a handle, which makes it less portable than other picks.
Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
While this indoor pedal machine may have fewer bells and whistles than other models, its price tag is hard to beat. It comes with an electronic display to show basic stats (time, revolution count.) It also features straps on the pedals for your feet and an adjustable tension knob so you can choose the level of effort you're looking for.
Once you're done cycling for the day, you can fold it up into a compact size for easy storage too. It's less sturdy than some higher-end models, but for under £20, it's hard to complain.
Under Desk Bike
Coming in at 8kg, this under desk bike hits that perfect sweet spot –it's not too heavy to move around, but substantial enough to feel sturdy. The weight helps hold the machine in place while you pedal, too. It has a handle on the top designed to make it easily portable as well, in case you ever want to bike from your living room.
The included resistance bands mean you can work your upper body when you’re ready to take a break from your keyboard too. And if that's not enough, you’re also able to pedal with your hands to build up your arm strength.
Standing Desk Exercise Bike
Exercise bike meets desk with this two-in-one solution created to maximise movement during the workday. This standing desk exercise bike has eight resistance levels and an adjustable lever to accommodate different heights, ranging from 5'1" to 6'2", and weights up to 135kg.
The design is sturdy and stable, and an LCD display is located on the middle of the bike below the seat that tracks metrics such as mileage, calories burned and time spent cycling. However, the desktop does make it difficult to see the LCD while peddling and working.
The machine itself weighs 23kg, which can make it difficult to move around. And let's be honest, its design isn't as discreet as some other under desk bikes. But despite this, FlexiSpot products are thoughtfully designed for any home office space.
Under Desk Bike
This compact and lightweight under-desk bike is quite literally the perfect fit if you’re tight on space. It's collapsable and only weighs 2kg, so it can be shoved into a corner, no bother.
Track your performance via the screen display, and adjust the intensity via a tension knob if you need more (or less) difficulty on your legs or arms. Though it may not have as many features as some other picks on our list, it's an affordable one that does the job.
Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
Though mini, the adjustable resistance knob on this machine means you can still put a mighty amount of miles in under the desk. You can track them via a large LCD screen that displays time, count, calories and distance — and you can turn on the scan feature so it constantly rotates which stat it displays.
Though the lightweight properties make it great for moving around and storing, we recommend placing an exercise mat underneath it in case it moves while you're getting the miles in.
Choose between silver or black colourways.
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