FitDesk Bikes Review: The Best Office Bikes?

FitDesk Bikes Review: The Best Office Bikes?

FitDesk Bikes Review: The Best Office Bikes?

FitDesk Bikes Review: The Best Office Bikes?

Everyday we are understanding more about the dangers of prolonged sitting.

That’s great, but how do we do our job if it requires lots of sitting?

I’ve been obsessed about this question for quite some time now.

And actually there are quite a few solutions like standing desks, desk cycles, balance boards, and even desk treadmills.

One innovative company I will discuss in this article is FitDesk, and their range of desk bikes and ellipticals.

Do they make the best desk exercise equipment on the market? Here’s my opinion below.

FitDesk was founded back in 2008 with a simple idea to produce only the highest quality of health care equipment while making a difference in schools, work environments, and homes.

Their headquarters is located in Kernersville, North Carolina, and currently employs 28 people.

The company is active on social media, and the FitDesk customer service is definitely on point. The people working there are really nice and very responsive.

FitDesk Standing Adjustable Desk Bike

FitDesk Standing Adjustable Desk Bike

  • Forearm support
  • Powder coated steel frame
  • Digital display
  • Maximum weight capacity 300 lbs

The FitDesk Adjustable Desk Bike was made to be strong and durable. It comes with a powder coated steel frame that will be comfortable for people up to 300 lbs and over 5’3’’ tall.

This model is actually an upgrade from the 2.0 version and comes with a larger weight capacity, spacious desktop area, and a lifting portion in the middle of the desktop for placing a tablet or phone.

There’s also some storage room underneath the tilting portion to place small gadgets like headphones, but the storage compartment is smaller than the previous model.

The FitDesk 3.0 (this model) works with 8 levels of magnetic resistance and you will be able to work up a sweat on the higher levels. Most people see results from the 5th resistance level and up.

What customers are saying

The majority of people who bought this item have only good things to say about it. Even people that have used it for more than a year say that it is sturdy and solid as a rock.

Some people have had issues with the comfort of the seat but any gel saddle will prove to be a great solution to this problem.

Included with the bike you’ll get bands for upper body workouts, a feature customers seem to love.

Assembly

With regards to the massage bars placed in front of the desktop, we have to say they’re doing a great job of supporting your arms while you work. They’re also removable if you don’t need them.

Assembling the bike is easy and the instructions received are clear. One thing you’ll need to know is their meter comes in kilometers only, but you can request a meter that measures miles instead.

What We Like

  • Center of desktop tilts
  • Digital display tracks your progress
  • Resistance bands for upper body workouts

What We Don’t Like

  • Smaller storage compartment
  • Some people need a gel saddle

FitStudent Junior Bike Desk

FitStudent Junior Bike Desk

  • Adjustable features
  • Desk storage options
  • Designed for children in 2nd to 5th grade
  • Maximum weight capacity 150 lbs

If your child is extremely active and needs something to help them focus while learning, we suggest looking into the FitStudent Bike Desk.

It was designed for children in 2nd to 5th grade but in our opinion, that’s too general, especially since kids tend to grow fast in those years.

We managed to find a rough estimate for height, and this bike will fit children that are 48’’- 62’’ tall.

The FitStudent is a sturdy activity desk that features a tabletop surface, some storage compartments, and large pedals for cycling that will fit any shoe size.

Adjustability

Both the desktop and the seat are adjustable for height. The tabletop’s minimum height is 34.5’’ but it can be raised to 37.75’’ high.

The seat is made of solid plastic and can be adjusted from 24’’ to 29’’ off the floor.

The bike doesn’t come with any sort of resistance levels, but the pedals are there to encourage movement and help with concentration.

The construction of the FitStudent is pretty solid as the frame was made from powder coated steel to ensure years of use.

What we really liked is the included wheels that make it easy for you to move the bike if needed. The wheels perform well on all kinds of surfaces.

Assembly

The assembly of the bike is extremely easy, just follow the user manual included.

In our view this is a pretty decent bike without faults, the only thing that might prevent people from getting it is the relatively high price point.

What We Like

  • Sturdy construction, built to last
  • Combines learning & cycling
  • Increases focus

What We Don’t Like

  • Relatively high price point

FitDesk Exercise Bike Recumbent Exercise Bike

FitDesk Exercise Bike Recumbent Exercise Bike

  • Alloy steel frame
  • 8 levels of magnetic resistance
  • Soft grip surface
  • Maximum weight capacity 250 lbs

If you’re looking for a good quality Recumbent Desk Bike, we strongly suggest looking into this model. The frame was made from alloy steel which is stronger and more durable than steel.

This bike was designed with ease of use in mind, and it folds quickly for easy transport or storage. Its footprint is 32’’ x 18’’, but it expands to 3 different positions for a total of 38’’ x 18’’.

The desktop has soft grip properties so your laptop won’t slide while you’re working, and the center of the desktop can be tilted for a better viewing angle.

You also get a storage tray underneath the tablet holder, as well as a mouse pad, and cup holder.

Resistance

The FitDesk recumbent bike comes with 8 levels of magnetic resistance to choose from, and you’ll be able to track your progress with the help of a meter display.

This bike will definitely help work up some sweat as long as you stay on the 5th resistance level.

To be able to type and cycle, you might want to choose the 3rd resistance level, as this works the best according to most people that own it.

What customers are saying

What people really appreciate about this bike is its thick cushioned seat and tall backrest, which are very important if you’re planning on spending sometime cycling.

The seat is 10.25’’ long and the cushion is 2.5’’ thick. However, that’s also a downside, as the bike was designed for tall people. So anyone under 5’8’’ will have a hard time reaching the pedals.

What We Like

  • Easy to fold & store
  • Tabletop grips your computer
  • Generously cushioned seat

What We Don’t Like

  • Designed for tall people only

FitDesk Under Desk Cycle

FitDesk Under Desk Cycle

  • Hands free resistance adjustment
  • Mounted meter tracks progress
  • Low profile pedals
  • Smooth and quiet operation

If your workspace is limited or you already have a solid desk at home you might want to skip the desk bike and look into under desk cycle options.

The one FitDesk came out with can be successfully used under 26’’ desks. It weighs 24 lbs, so it should also be easy to move around if needed.

The pedal motion is smooth & quiet thanks to the twin belt drive, and just like the desk bikes, you get 8 levels of magnetic resistance.

What we really liked is the hands free tension adjustment that allows you to change the resistance without bending, as well as the absence of foot loops that make it easy to cycle in any shoe.

What customers are saying

Customers love the digital display meter included and say it can be placed on your desktop to track your performance, plus it motivates you even further.

The only downside with this is some people complained that the meter stopped working after a while and they were unable to get a replacement for it.

Assembly is easy on this one, all you’ll have to do is bolt the supports on and attach the footplates.

What We Like

  • Cycle without bumping your knees
  • Super quiet and smooth operation
  • Superior design compared to similar devices

What We Don’t Like

  • You can’t replace the meter if it breaks

FitDesk Under Desk Elliptical Trainer

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FitDesk Under Desk Elliptical Trainer

  • Easy foot resistance shifter
  • Lowest pedal height available
  • Heavy flywheel
  • Large pedals

If you’re not a huge fan of under desk cycling and would rather use an under desk elliptical, FitDesk has something for you.

Their under desk elliptical comes with the lowest profile available on the market, and it can be used with desks as low as 25’’.

Aside from the difference in movement between the 2 devices, everything else remains the same. You get 8 levels of magnetic resistance that you can shift with your foot.

Plus, it’s a whisper quiet device that can be used in an office without worrying you’ll draw everyone’s attention. The pedals are large and easy to use for both forward and backward motion.

The elliptical is even lighter in weight than the under desk cycle weighing only 12.7 lbs. Just like all active work devices from FitDesk, you will get a measuring meter that tracks your activity.

The only thing to consider is getting a can of WD-40 in case the device starts to squeak.

What We Like

  • Very low profile
  • Forward and backward motion
  • Lightweight and easy to carry

What We Don’t Like

  • Some devices tend to squeak

If you’re unsure which is better for you, a FitDesk or an under desk cycle, you’ll have to consider a few things.

Work space

If you’re planning on using the device at home and have enough room for it, definitely go with the FitDesk because you get one compact device to use.

On the other hand, if you’re short on space or wish to take the device to work you might want to consider getting an under desk cycle (or elliptical).

Budget

In terms of financial spending, the FitDesk is definitely more expensive.

If you wish to lead an active working life but can’t invest too much at the moment, we would suggest getting an under desk cycle. This way you get to stay active within budget.

Flexispot Home Office Standing Desk Bike

Flexispot has come out with its own version of a desk bike. On the positive side, it runs smoothly and has enough resistance levels to keep you interested and active.

The desktop surface is big enough to fit a 17’’ laptop, and it glides forward and backward without issues, allowing you to change your stance while working.

The seat can be adjusted for height with a spring loaded lever usually used in office chairs.

The comfort of the seat is not that great though- it is too wide and firm. Plus it’s difficult to find a gel cover for that size. Also, the casters do not lock so it’s a bit awkward to get up or down.

What customers are saying

Customers loved the ease of assembly. They say that all you’d have to do is slide the seat and the desktop in, and you’re done.

Hover, some people have reported the belt to be too thin and not durable, and some said that if you’re over 5’11’’, you’d be hitting the desktop with your knees.

Sunny Health Recumbent Desk Exercise Bike

Sunny Health’s recumbent exercise bike seems much better than Flexispot’s. The wheels are not permanently attached to the bike so you won’t have uncontrolled movement on the device.

Also, this model was made for easy entry and exit, something they call ‘the step-through design’.

The non-slip desktop surface is large enough for daily use with 22’’ of width and 15’’ of length. It can also be removed if you happen to own a standing desk.

Adjustability and comfort

Both the desktop and the cushioned seat are height adjustable. The seat is comfortable, and the backrest is such a great addition since most of us like to lean back from time to time.

To adjust it for the height you won’t have to get off the chair, as it can be done while you’re sitting, with the help of a lever.

What we really liked is how the tray is padded in the front to give your wrists some cushion while you type. If you’re like me and spend your days typing away this feature will mean a lot.

Overall this is a sturdy and well-built product that will successfully hold people up to 350 lbs.

DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Cycle

This device has left me impressed in many ways. First of all, I really like the option to upload my tracking progress to the manufacturer’s website or FitBit.

Also, unlike other under desk cycles that track your progress for 1-2 hours, this one tracks up to 16 hours of activity.

The pedal height is adjustable from 9’’ to 10’’, ideal for desktops that are 27’’ or above. You get the standard 8 levels of resistance, and cycling for 2 hours on level 8 burns up to 600 calories.

We strongly suggest starting with a resistance level 1 and working your way up to a higher level each week.

Cubii JR1 Seated Under Desk Elliptical Machine

The Cubii under desk elliptical comes with a patented ergonomic design specifically made to lower the negative impact on your joints.

It connects to Fitbit and Apple HealthKit, which enables you to track your progress, share it with other people, and even compete with them.

So if you’re a social kind of person this might spark your interest. This product is extremely popular on Amazon reaching 4.5 stars from almost 6000 customers.

The motion is oriented towards pushing out and not up, which will ensure you’re not hitting the desk with your knees. It comes with the standard 8 levels of resistance.

If you’re planning on using the Cubii in your office, the sound it emits is quieter than the sound of a small desk fan. So keep that in mind.

What customers are saying

Customers say assembling the product is easy, and you get a screwdriver in the package. It also comes with a lifetime warranty when you purchase from Amazon or their website.

On the downside, the Cubii tends to slide away even when placed on the mat provided by the manufacturer. To fix this issue people usually get a proper yoga mat and place it underneath.

We have to say that the FitDesk bikes are a must have for anyone that spends many hours sitting, or doesn’t have enough time for the gym.

These machines will keep you moving all day, plus they are a time saver. What really impressed us in regards to the company is their excellent customer service.

So even if you do have an issue with the product you will not be left hanging.