Mini bike? Under-desk elliptical? Trying to get more activity in my day

[joshuanicholson]

A year ago, I made the transition from a physically active job (constantly on the move, including walking 8-10+ miles), to a work from home sedentary desk job. It's been a huuuuuge adjustment to say the least.

I also live in Canada and am currently dealing -20°C (-4°F) weather or colder (excluding windchill). Plus gyms are still closed (have been through basically the entire pandemic).

I get some steps in with walking my dog, but again, it's cold out so neither of us want to be out for more than 30 min at a time. And I do a 30-45 min workout at home most weekdays over my lunchbreak. But I still feel like I have a lot of stationary time. I feel like I'm going stir-crazy.

I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy a mini-exercisebike/under-desk peddle or elliptical, since doing something is better than nothing. Is there one anyone can recommend? Or is there a better alternative? I have basically zero experience with exercise machines, as I usually stick with free weights and body weight.

 

[soldier149]

@joshuanicholson I wrote a review on this under desk cycler

https://teddygraff.com/2024/05/23/under-desk-cycling-bike-review-yosuda/

 

[careen]

@joshuanicholson Hi everyone I'm about to buy the Under dest elliptical . What I'm not seeing is the charger or plug. Is it one that you can charge ,unplug and use or it has to be plugged in when in use? Hoping to hear from you'll soon.

 

[nadia]

@joshuanicholson I've got two Cubii pros. One at home and one at work. I just added up all my miles since I bought them in March 2019 and have 3,567.79 miles completed as of today. It's a must if you have a desk job.

 

[drewkraines]

@joshuanicholson A few years ago, I would've never considered one. But I like mine. I got the Cubii JR1, its sort've pricier than the rest.

https://healthydadproject.com/best-under-desk-ellipticals/

 

[mynewwalkoflifewithgod]

@joshuanicholson I have an under desk bike and am currently borrowing an under desk elliptical from my mom. Both are made by DeskCycle.

I love the bike, but my desk at home is not very high and it just doesn't fit. At work it doesn't really fit under my desk either. It's frustrating because I really like it, but you need to have a lot of clearance and a deep space under your feet.

The elliptical is much better for tighter spaces. You can place your feet pretty much anywhere on the pedals, so even if you have low clearance like my home desk you can still pedal away. It's also easier to stealth use on camera -- the cycle made it harder to mask that you were fidgeting.

Now my problem is that my dog has decided that she wants to hang under my desk despite the fact that she has a bed right next to me. So I can't use it for fear of squashing her toes. Can't win

 

[mitchie]

@mynewwalkoflifewithgod I bought risers for the base of my desk to lift it a few inches

 

[niceguycharlotte81]

@mynewwalkoflifewithgod Did you feel that the resistance was higher on one or the other? Do you think one would be better with a chair that has wheels? My desk is height adjustable, but I'm afraid I'd be pushing myself backwards all the time with the elliptical

 

[hylda]

@joshuanicholson i purchased a walking treadmill when i got my remote desk job, cost 250usd.
i clock 7-9 miles on it everyday.

i cannot recommend it enough.

 

[nooneimportant2011]

@hylda Do you know what the brand is if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[hylda]

@nooneimportant2011 so yes but also no. it's obviously a Chinese company and my partner bought an almost identical model labeled completely differently.

off Amazon. mine is labeled "bigzilla"

 

[ammy]

@joshuanicholson This isn't the same as an under-desk elliptical (and it's much cheaper...), but I really love my wobble board at my desk! I initially got it for rehab after a sprained ankle, but now it's so much fun to wiggle around on the board and practice my balance at my standing desk.

 

[mcross]

@joshuanicholson Just wanted to say that I got the same issue with winter weather (here it rains, snows - even though it rarely gets colder than -10C, a lot of wind, sometimes all at once) but never had the guts to say it out loud because I though I was just being lazy :') But really, going for a walk when the weather is so bad is simply... nope. And I usually enjoy walking!

 

[joshuanicholson]

@mcross Windy and wet slushy Winters suck, we get some of that right before Spring starts. Althought it hits differently, it's almost just as bad as the dead of winter. No matter what I do, my feet & ankles are cold and damp, and its a constant battle with mud and slush being brought indoors. Yuck.

 

[abrauny]

@joshuanicholson I recently got an under desk treadmill. I'm a remote software engineer and sitting down whole day every day has been a nightmare. I've had a standing desk for quite a while but I wasn't using it much. Treadmill has been the best purchase i've made last year. I walk slowly, 1.4 mph, and I can type on my keyboard with no problem. I walk about 3-4 miles a day while working. 10k steps every day this month without trying. It just happens. I can move the treadmill to its side and sit on a chair but I'm lazy and I haven't done that yet. So I either walk or I stand.

 

[lovingly1961]

@abrauny Do you have the model/link? Still happy with it?

 

[abrauny]

@lovingly1961 I got TR800-GlowUp Under Desk from LifeSpan Fitness. Still going strong. No issues. Still happy with it.

 

[joshuanicholson]

@abrauny Yeah I was debating on one of these too, but with being in a city, my apartment space is super limited so I wasn't sure.

 

[anonymous1991]

@joshuanicholson I use an under-desk treadmill daily for work. I walk 20K steps (however long that takes me) then I call it a day. I love it and I've got my boss trying it now, too. She purchased the same model. I've had a few MINOR issues with my model but it was affordable (for me) and I wanted to make sure I'd stick with it. If you're interested, I'll be happy to pass along the rec.

 

[joshuanicholson]

@anonymous1991 I like the idea and was considering one of these too, but space in my apartment is quite limited unfortunately.