Many of us spend the majority of the day sitting in a desk chair, which can not only drain our energy but may also have some serious health consequences. Sedentary behavior 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 no choice but to be posted up at a desk all day, there is a way you can still burn calories and get in some movement: an under desk bike! An under desk exercise machine can boost your energy, get your heart pumping and bring some activity to an otherwise sedentary job.
1 Best Overall Under Desk Bike
DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike
Pros
- Eight resistance settings
- Adjustable velcro straps
- Built-in display
- Bi-directional stride motion
Cons
- Doesn’t include a handle
Not only is this model from DeskCycle a top pick for Amazon reviewers, but it performed well in our tests too. We liked how this bike features eight resistance settings so you can increase or decrease your difficulty level depending on your goals. You can also adjust the pedal height to work with various office spaces so your knees won’t hit your desk, and we found the DeskCycle 2 to be fairly quiet, so your colleagues won’t even know you’re getting your pedal on.
In addition to 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 pedaling. We do caution, however, that this bike doesn’t come with a handle, which makes it less portable than other picks.
| Dimensions | 10.24″ x 24.02″ x 20.08″ |
|---|---|
| Weight | 23 lbs. |
| Affordability | $$$ |
2 Best Value Under Desk Bike
Wakeman Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
Pros
- Affordable price
- Foldable and portable
- Lightweight design
Cons
- Resistance levels aren’t specified
While this indoor pedal machine may feature fewer bells and whistles than other models, its price tag is hard to beat. Our pros like that it comes with a little electronic display to show basic stats (time, revolution count, etc.), but best of all you canfold it up into a compact size once you’re done for the day for easy storage. It also features straps on the pedals for your feet and an adjustable tension knob so you can choose the level of effort you’re looking for.
Reviewers say it is relatively quiet but note that it’s less sturdy than other higher-end models, likely due to it being very lightweight at roughly six pounds.
| Dimensions | 19.5″ x 14″ x 9.5″ |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.82 lbs. |
| Affordability | $ |
3 Best Multifunctional Under Desk Bike
Sunny Health & Fitness Under Desk Bike
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Convenient carry handle
- Eight resistance levels
- Can be used with legs for lower body or arms for upper body workout
Cons
- Only available in one color
A great choice thanks to its 2-in-1 design, this under desk bike allows you to pedal with either your feet or your hands. A surface grip keeps the bike in place on your desk so you can work your upper body as well as your lower body, and the carry handle makes it easy to move it around if you don’t want to keep it at the office, or you want to move it from your home office to your couch.
Like many other under desk bikes, there are eight levels of magnetic resistance and a display that tracks activity. Although it may not be the most elegant looking, our experts appreciate that it’sfairly affordable in comparison to other models and it’s still well made.
| Dimensions | 20.5″ x 16″ x 10.5″ |
|---|---|
| Weight | 19.1 lbs. |
| Affordability | $$ |
4 Best Under Desk Bike with Resistance Bands
FlexCycle Under Desk Bike
Pros
- Lighter than other models
- Includes resistance bands and two-in-one design for upper body workouts
- Eight resistance levels
- Built-in display
Cons
- Foot straps may not be intuitive
Coming in at 18 pounds, this under desk bike is at a sweet spot where it’s not too heavy 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, and it’s available in three colorways.
We like that it comes with resistance bands so you can work your upper body when you’re ready to take a break from your keyboard. You’re also able to pedal with your hands to build up your arm strength. Although the foot straps are adjustable, they may not be the most intuitive to use.
| Dimensions | 17.5″ x 20.9″ x 13.2″ |
|---|---|
| Weight | 18.1 lbs. |
| Affordability | $$ |
5 Best Under Desk Bike with Desk
FLEXISPOT Standing Desk Exercise Bike
Pros
- Two-in-one model includes desktop
- Eight resistance levels
- Accomodates up to 300 pounds
Cons
- Expensive
- LCD display with metrics can be hard to see while using the desk
Exercise bike meets desk with this two-in-one solution to maximize your productivity during the workday. Available in white or black, this standing desk exercise bike has eight resistance levels with an adjustable lever to accommodate different heights ranging from 5’1″ to 6’2″. The design is sturdy and stable, according to Amazon reviewers, and an LCD display is located on the middle of the bike below the seat that tracks metrics like mileage, calories burned and time spent cycling. However, the desk top does make it difficult to see the LCD while pedaling and working on the desk. The bike accommodates up to 300 pounds too.
| Dimensions | 37.6″ x 23.2″ x 47.2″ |
|---|---|
| Weight | 51 lbs. |
| Affordability | $$$$ |
6 Best Lightweight Under Desk Bike
Vaunn Under Desk Bike
Pros
- Foldable and lightweight
- Affordable
- 2-in-1 design for upper and lower body workouts
- Built-in display
Cons
- Resistance levels aren’t specified
- Doesn’t include a handle
Although this Amazon bestseller hasn’t been tested in our Lab, several reviewers claim that it’s a great tool for at-home physical therapy. It’s a perfect fit if you’re tight on space and want a bike that can be easily stored when you’re not using it, since it is collapsable and only weights five pounds. It doesn’t have a handle, but the lightweight nature makes it easy to move around if needed.
This sturdy under desk bike also includes a display to track performance and has a tension knob so you can pick the right intensity for your workouts with both your legs and arms. It’s an affordable, reliable choice, but doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles as some higher-end models on our list.
| Dimensions | 11.25″ x 15.2″ x 18.25″ |
|---|---|
| Weight | 5.15 lbs. |
| Affordability | $ |
7 Most Affordable Under Desk Cycle
himaly Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
Pros
- Lightweight
- Affordale
- Large LCD display
Cons
- Machine moves a bit when pedaling if not on a non-slip surface
- No handle for portability
Place this lightweight under desk cycle beneath your workspace and get pedaling! The machine has a large LCD screen that keeps track of metrics like time, count, calories and distance — and you can turn on the scan feature so it constantly rotates the stat it displays. Use the knob on the front of the bike to adjust the resistance based on how difficult you want it to feel.
While the cycle is lightweight (weighing less than eight pounds), making it easy to pick up and store when not in use, some Amazon reviewers noted that it can move and “scoot away” while you’re pedaling. However, it does come with a rubber mat that can help keep it sedentary or you can place it on a rug or mat of your own. Other Amazon reviewers raved that it was easy to assemble and that the anti-slip pedals aren’t noisy but smooth.
Choose from five different colorways including black, gray, silver and black, silver or white. Bonus: You can place the bike on a desk or counter and pedal with your arms for an upper body workout!
| Dimensions | 15.98″ x 13.8″ x 12.6″ |
|---|---|
| Weight | 7.6 lbs. |
| Affordability | $ |
