“Sitting is the new smoking” – you’ve probably heard it before. The modern office environment, while comfortable, often confines us to chairs for the majority of our workday. Standing desks emerged as a popular solution, but let’s be honest, standing all day can be tiring and isn’t always practical. Is there a middle ground? A way to stay active, comfortable, and productive at your desk? Enter the Desk Cycle Under Desk Bike, a compact exercise device designed to fit seamlessly into your workspace.
A few years ago, the idea of under-desk exercise gained traction when a teacher incorporated bike pedals into her classroom. She noticed incredible improvements in her students’ focus and behavior. This sparked a question: Could a desk cycle under desk bike be the comfortable and healthy solution for adults seeking to combat sedentary work habits? We decided to investigate and try out the popular DeskCycle to see if it lives up to the hype. DeskCycle claims using their under desk bike can double your energy expenditure compared to simply sitting, significantly more than the modest 30% increase from standing desks.
DeskCycle before assembly, ready to transform your workspace into an active zone.
After a quick and easy assembly, the DeskCycle under desk bike was ready to go. Positioning it under my desk and placing my feet on the pedals, I began to cycle. The first thing I noticed was how quiet it was, just as advertised.
The DeskCycle fully assembled, a compact and unobtrusive addition to any office.
The resistance of the pedals is adjustable, allowing you to customize your workout intensity. I found that levels above 4 made typing challenging. However, the higher resistance settings definitely offered a more significant workout.
Adjustable pedal resistance allows you to tailor your desk cycling workout from light activity to more intense exercise.
A small, battery-powered display tracks your cycling metrics – speed, distance, and estimated calories burned.
The DeskCycle’s display provides real-time feedback on your activity, motivating you to keep moving.
So, after a week of using the DeskCycle under desk bike, what are the real takeaways? Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons based on my experience.
The Drawbacks of Desk Cycling: Posture and Focus
One initial challenge was finding the right sitting position. I had to lower my chair significantly to avoid hitting my knees on my desk. This lower chair position, combined with leaning back for comfort, sometimes made it harder to see smaller text on my monitor and reach the keyboard optimally. It’s worth noting this is more of an ergonomic adjustment issue than a direct fault of the under desk bike itself, and individual desk setups will vary.
To prevent my chair from rolling while pedaling, I had to get creative and wedge a wheel against the DeskCycle frame. While effective, it wasn’t the most elegant solution. A chair mat or a chair with locking wheels might be a better long-term solution for dedicated desk cyclists.
Concentration was another factor. For tasks requiring deep focus, like writing or complex problem-solving, cycling was distracting. The desk cycle under desk bike is better suited for less mentally demanding activities like reading emails, browsing the internet, attending virtual meetings, or brainstorming sessions where movement can actually enhance creativity. It’s about finding the right balance and using the under desk bike strategically throughout your workday.
A simple chair wheel configuration to stabilize your chair during desk cycling sessions.
The Unexpected Benefits: Fidgeting and Warmth
Despite the postural adjustments and focus considerations, the DeskCycle under desk bike offered some surprising benefits. For someone who naturally fidgets while sitting, this under desk bike provided a perfect outlet. Instead of restless leg syndrome manifesting in toe-tapping and chair-swiveling, that energy could be channeled into productive pedaling. And unlike mindless fidgeting, desk cycling engages leg muscles, contributing to subtle muscle building over time.
DeskCycle is designed to be used with regular office footwear, no need to change into workout shoes.
However, the most unexpected and appreciated benefit was staying warm in a notoriously cold office. Office air conditioning can be brutal, especially for women who are often more sensitive to cooler temperatures. On particularly chilly days, typing with cold hands can be painful and unproductive. The DeskCycle under desk bike solved this problem. Just a few minutes of pedaling at a moderate resistance created enough warmth to work comfortably without extra layers, while colleagues were bundled up in sweaters and scarves. This temperature regulation benefit alone made the under desk bike a worthwhile addition to the office.
While calorie burning wasn’t significant – around 473 calories burned over a workweek, less than 100 calories a day – those are still calories burned that wouldn’t have been otherwise. It’s comparable to a short 5-7 minute run each day, adding up to a small but positive contribution to overall activity levels.
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a dramatic weight loss solution, a desk cycle under desk bike might not be the primary answer. But if you seek a way to combat sedentary behavior, channel fidgety energy, and stay comfortably warm in a cold office, the DeskCycle under desk bike is definitely worth considering. It’s a subtle yet effective tool to integrate movement into your workday and improve your overall well-being without sacrificing comfort or productivity.
Ready to try it yourself? You can order your DeskCycle online here.
