The Best Under Desk Ellipticals
Staying in shape isn't always easy when you spend most of your day at a desk job. Spending hours sitting down can negatively impact your fitness goals. However, ensuring you move around periodically can go a long way toward improving your health. Under-desk ellipticals are a great way to fit a low-impact workout into your busy day. These little machines fit conveniently under your desk and allow you to get in some extra movement while working or watching TV on the sofa. With all that in mind, we've rounded up some of the best under-desk ellipticals on the market.
What to Look For
We recommend keeping the following things in mind when shopping for an under-desk elliptical: Does it fit under your desk and leave you enough space to pedal while seated? Does it operate quietly? Is it portable and easy to move around? Our favorite was the elliptical from Sunny Health and Fitness, which has eight resistance levels and a digital monitor for tracking activity. We were also impressed by the elliptical from LifePro, which fits nicely into small spaces and has wide, textured pedals to keep your feet in place. Keep reading to learn more about our favorites and why we liked them so much.
Sunny Health and Fitness Under Desk Elliptical
Feeling fit
If you’re looking for an under-desk elliptical that’s ready to use out of the box, look no further than this device from Sunny Health. Its large, textured foot pedals keep your feet from slipping and ensure a comfortable workout, no matter your shoe type or size. You can track your speed, time, distance, and calories burned using the LCD screen that sits in the middle of the elliptical. That’s not all — it has eight resistance levels, allowing you to customize the machine to your current fitness level.
Pros:
- Magnetic tension system for optimal resistance
- The knob allows you to easily adjust resistance during a workout
- No assembly required
- Small enough to fit under most desks
Cons:
- The machine may slip a little depending on the surface, so you may want to buy a mat to keep it steady
LifePro Under Desk Elliptical
Pedal power
When you want to get in a full-body workout during the workday, this under-desk elliptical from LifePro can help make it possible. It comes with a yoga mat and resistance bands you can attach to the device for upper-body exercises. You won’t have to worry about this device slipping while you work out because it comes with tethers to secure it to your chair. It also has caster stoppers to help keep your chair in place.
Pros:
- Whisper quiet operation
- Suitable for any skill level
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Eight resistance levels
Cons:
- The angle of the foot pedals may keep it from fitting under some desks
Stamina Inmotion Under Desk Elliptical
Keep moving
After sitting down for several hours, you may want to work out standing up, and this under-desk elliptical from Stamina allows you to do just that. Its small monitor keeps you updated on your strides per minute, total strides, and estimated calories burned. The elliptical’s low profile means you can use it in a seated position without worrying about hitting your knees on your desk. Plus, when you’re ready to stretch your legs, you can use it while standing up.
Pros:
- Can be used in a seated and standing position
- Textured pedals to keep your feet from slipping while working out
- Adjustable tension dial
- Forward and reverse pedaling
Cons:
- May make squeaking noises when pedaling quickly
Cubii Go Under Desk Elliptical
Go Far
With hybrid workplaces becoming more common, you may find yourself working in the office one day and at home the next. Instead of investing in two under-desk elliptical machines, consider purchasing an easy-to-move one like the Cubii Go. The lightweight device has a portable design with a retractable handle and built-in wheels to help you get the best workout wherever you are. Plus, it arrives assembled, so you can start using it immediately.
Pros:
- Eight resistance levels for customizing workouts
- Comes with a companion app for tracking progress, setting goals, and accessing classes
- LCD screen displays strides, calories burned, time, and distance
- Noise-free design
Cons:
- No Bluetooth compatibility
DeskCycle Under Desk Elliptical
Optimal health
Meet your fitness goals while in the office with this under-desk elliptical from DeskCycle. The sleek machine uses magnetic residence to ensure smooth operation throughout your workout. It comes packed with features, including adjustable pedal heights for a custom experience. It doesn’t end there; the LCD monitor displays calories burned, time, and rotations per minute. Plus, you can remove it from the device and place it on your desk to make it easier to see.
Pros:
- Eight intensity levels
- Large foot pedals make it easy to adjust motion for maximum comfort
- Detachable screen for easy viewing
- Customizable pedal height
Cons:
- It weighs more than other machines on this list
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using an under-desk elliptical?
If you have a desk job or spend most of your day sitting down, an under-desk elliptical can help you increase how much you move during the day. These machines can help you burn calories, improve muscle tone, and even relieve stress. Although you won’t be able to get a full cardio workout using these machines, using them throughout the day can help you work your lower body muscles more.
How long should you use an under-desk elliptical?
Most exercise experts recommend getting in at least 20 minutes of cardio daily. Since it’s difficult to get into the aerobic zone using these devices and they’re low impact, you can bike as long as you want. If you’re new to exercise, we recommend you build up slowly and gradually increase the time and tension as your body adapts to using the machine.
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