The 9 Greatest Below-Desk Bikes, Examined

What to Know Earlier than You Store for Below-Desk Bikes

Below-desk bikes will doubtless not offer you sufficient of a full-body exercise (except they arrive with arm pedals or resistance bands), however they could be a good complement to your common health routine. If it is advisable to enhance the depth of your under-desk exercise, you possibly can pace up your stride, enhance the resistance, or add upper-body strengtheners like body weight or dumbbell workouts. Some under-desk exercisers even include detachable resistance bands that you should use for upper-body work.

Some customers could discover that the under-desk bike tends to slide away whereas pedaling, says Marko. To resolve this challenge, she suggests propping your machine in opposition to a wall, putting an train mat beneath it, or just buying an under-desk bike with a sturdy really feel and rubber grips.

Below-Desk Bikes We Additionally Examined 

In whole, we evaluated 33 under-desk bikes and ellipticals, however we solely included 9 in our ultimate checklist of suggestions. Whereas a few of these merchandise had strong options, they finally did not meet the rigorous requirements that we have now for our prime picks.

• Cubii’s JR2+ is a self-powered under-desk elliptical with simply adjustable resistance, a transparent show, nice portability, and a seamless setup. Nevertheless, we felt that this costlier machine was not well worth the decrease again ache we skilled whereas utilizing it.
• YOSUDA’s Magnetic Below Desk Biking Bike YBM-1 provides simply adjustable resistance, a transparent show for vital metrics, and a easy and silent journey. Nevertheless, we had bother with the setup course of and did not assume its high quality aligned with its value level.

What We’ve Up to date

• Since our preliminary under-desk bike check, we have gotten our palms on 4 extra merchandise. We used them throughout our regular workday for 4 weeks. We then up to date our prime bike suggestions based mostly on these new testing insights and added extra high quality under-desk bikes to our checklist of favorites. 
• We consulted with two new consultants (together with a private coach {and professional} ergonomist) to ensure our recommendation on selecting and utilizing under-desk bikes continues to be updated.

What to Search for in Below-Desk Bikes

• Setup: With any piece of health tools, you need a seamless and intuitive setup—nobody needs to spend hours studying an instruction handbook whereas placing collectively an under-desk bike. Earlier than making your buy, check out the setup course of. Some under-desk bikes come absolutely assembled, whereas others require some meeting. Be aware if any mandatory instruments are included or if it is advisable to present them your self.
• Type: When looking for an under-desk exerciser, chances are you’ll discover that under-desk bicycles and under-desk ellipticals are grouped collectively. Whereas they each have pedals and may also help you obtain related outcomes, chances are you’ll desire one over the opposite comfort-wise. Ellipticals are typically smoother and quieter, whereas bicycles provide a fuller vary of movement.
• Weight: Many people could search portability when shopping for an under-desk exerciser. This can be particularly vital for those who’re bringing your exercise to the workplace. Double-check the load of the under-desk exerciser you’re eyeing earlier than shopping for it to ensure it is simple sufficient to maneuver or transport. You will additionally need one which’s safe and heavy sufficient to remain put whereas in use. Some under-desk bikes even include a strap or deal with, which makes them simpler to raise and carry.
• Resistance: Many under-desk bicycles and ellipticals include adjustable resistance. This characteristic means that you can scale up the depth of your exercises and helps you construct power whilst you pedal or stride. It is also an vital characteristic if you wish to make your exercises more difficult. Search for bikes with a number of resistance ranges and the flexibility to alter ranges simply, resembling with a knob or button.
• Dimension: Be sure to have sufficient room beneath your desk to accommodate a motorcycle. Sitting too far-off out of your desk could cause you to pressure your shoulder and neck muscular tissues. Elevating your desk to suit the bike may place your mouse and keyboards greater than advisable. If that is the case to your setup, restrict the time you are in that place so you are not placing prolonged strain in your wrists.

How We Examined the Below-Desk Bikes

To search out one of the best under-desk bikes, we completely examined and evaluated 33 bikes in our houses and places of work for 4 weeks. When testing under-desk bikes, we consider every based mostly on the next key standards.

• Ease of Setup: To guage ease of setup, we first unbox the bike and time how lengthy it takes to assemble any elements. We notice if any required instruments are included. We additionally consider how clear and easy-to-understand the instructions are. Lastly, if the bike requires batteries, are they included? We prioritize bikes that come absolutely assembled or are nearly absolutely assembled with clear directions.
• Efficiency: After positioning the bike accurately, we pedal for no less than 20 minutes per session and ask ourselves if we will sit comfortably or if it feels awkward or uncomfortable. Is the bike noisy or wobbly and distracting whereas we’re attempting to work? Are the pedals and resistance adjustable? If there’s a show display screen, is it simple to navigate and skim?
• Options: Some bikes have particular options, like the choice to pedal ahead and backward or Bluetooth connectivity for stat monitoring. Whereas utilizing the under-desk bikes, we notice any particular options and consider whether or not they’re simple and useful. We additionally notice whether or not they contribute to the general efficiency of the bike or are troublesome or distracting. We prioritize bikes which have options that improve our expertise.
• Worth: To precisely assess the worth of every bike, we wait till after we have evaluated it for all of its different attributes earlier than we verify its value. Primarily based on the efficiency and our general expertise with the bike, do we expect it’s priced pretty? Would we suggest it to mates or household?

Our Consultants

We collaborated with well being and health consultants throughout our analysis, testing, and reporting for this story. Every skilled supplied steering on the right and secure use of the under-desk bikes we examined. In addition they supplied enter on the advantages of utilizing an under-desk bike and options to search for and keep away from when looking for one. Whereas our product choices are unbiased, skilled insights assist inform our choices.

• Theresa Marko, PT, DPT, MS, board-certified orthopedic scientific specialist
• Latoya Julce, licensed private coach and teacher at 305 Health
• Lisa Orr, licensed skilled ergonomist at Sedgwick

Steadily Requested Questions

Is an under-desk bike or elliptical higher?

Below-desk bicycles and under-desk ellipticals are extremely related, so neither is essentially higher or worse than the opposite. Below-desk ellipticals are typically smoother and quieter, whereas under-desk bicycles have a tendency to supply a fuller vary of movement.

What’s one of the simplest ways to make use of an under-desk bike?

Below-desk bikes are sometimes positioned beneath a desk and used whereas working or finishing duties. Nevertheless, they do not have for use with a desk and have a tendency to work nicely if the consumer is seated on a sofa or chair. It’s vital that you just really feel comfy whereas utilizing an under-desk bike; in any other case, you’ll be distracted and certain received’t need to use it. Be sure that your bike will match beneath your desk earlier than buying and that there’s sufficient clearance to your knees to maneuver with out hitting the desk.

Are under-desk bikes secure to your knees?

Marko says under-desk biking is a non-weight-bearing train that’s secure to your knees and may very well profit individuals with unhealthy knees. The movement of biking will increase the secretion of synovial fluid, which helps lubricate the joint and nourish the cartilage, she says.

How a lot does a high quality under-desk bike value?

You’ll be able to count on to pay between $50 and $350 for a high quality under-desk bike that can preserve you shifting and reduce the variety of sedentary hours all through your day. Worth will range relying on fashion and options.

Why Belief Verywell Match

Michelle Parente is a seasoned way of life journalist who’s obsessed with making well-vetted product suggestions. She focuses on well being and health content material and is at all times studying up on the most recent wellness analysis.

Extra reporting by Lindsey Lanquist and Shannon Ullman

Verywell Match author Lindsey Lanquist has years of expertise within the well being and health house. For this procuring information, she prioritized under-desk bicycles and ellipticals that had been genuinely well-reviewed by those that’d tried them. She additionally favored choices with adjustable resistance. Since preferences can range a lot in terms of health machines, she made positive to incorporate under-desk bicycles and under-desk ellipticals with a spread of options.

Shannon Ullman is a author who focuses on well being and wellness. Her work might be discovered on websites like Insider Inc. and MindBodyGreen. As a longtime distant employee, she’s at all times looking out for methods to remain lively whereas working from house. She additionally loves ergonomic merchandise that promote good posture and cut back sedentary conduct, resembling under-desk bikes.