Under Desk Bike Vs Elliptical

Under desk ellipticals and bikes are a great way to reduce workplace latency and battle a sedentary lifestyle. They keep you busy, burn calories, and improve concentration, all from your office chair.

Two cardio machines, the Cubii Pro and the DeskCycle under desk exercise bike, stand neck-to-neck in terms of quality and usability. Wondering which one is the better product for you?

Each of them will provide a light cardio workout and help enhance your productivity. But in this article, we’ve focused on the differences more than the similarities.

We’ve compared the under desk elliptical vs bike. Read on to learn the differences and pick the right one for yourself.

Comparison Table - Cubii Vs Deskcycle 

Feature

Cubii Pro Elliptical

DeskCycle Bike

Resistance Levels

8

8

Smartphone Compatibility

Yes

Yes

LCD Screen

No

No

Total Height

9.8 inches

10 inches

Total Weight

27 lbs

23 lbs

Stride Motion

forward/backwards

Circular

Pedal Straps

No

Yes

Price

What Are The Differences Between an Under Desk Bike And Under Desk Elliptical?

Both under desk bikes and ellipticals are used for light cardio and heavy toning. So what’s the difference?

1. Stride Movement

The first and foremost difference between the under-desk ellipticals and bikes is the movement pattern. Ellipticals, contrary to the name, actually move the feet in a forward-backward motion. You need lesser under desk clearance to move your legs this way.

The under desk exerciser bike, however, moves your feet in a completely circular motion. It is for those with more space under their desk.

2. Target Muscles

A study has shown that ellipticals target more muscles than bicycles, which may or may not be better for you.

Under desk ellipticals target some portion of the upper body too, including the abs. Under desk mini-cycles, however, only target lower body muscles.

If you’re older and using the equipment for cardio or physiotherapy, try the under desk bike. It won’t tire your abdominals.

For anyone who wants a full-body workout, the under desk elliptical is a better choice.

3. Foot Placement

And the final difference between mini exercise bikes and under-desk ellipticals is the foot placement. It makes all the difference when exercising. To give you more space, under desk ellipticals have a wider foot space. It not only increases the demographic of users but also allows you to target different muscles. You can do this why varying your foot position.

Under desk pedal bikes don’t allow for much flexibility. However, they feature pedals with straps. So you can increase the speed without worrying about your foot slipping.

Here Are Our Top Picks

Cubii Pro Under Desk Elliptical Review

Cubii Pro Under Desk Elliptical review

The Cubii Pro is a smarter, faster, and more efficient way to burn calories and cycle. It is an under desk elliptical trainer designed for small spaces that can connect to your phone and keeps you fit in the office.

The Cubii elliptical has Bluetooth connectivity. So you can tether it to your fitness band or smartphone to keep track of your progress. Knowing your progress is a great way to encourage yourself and see your improvement.

One of the key selling points of the Cubii Pro is the 8-speed design. By increasing the resistance, you increase your cycling force, and vice versa. It is an excellent way to appeal to multiple users with various fitness goals.

Another major feature of this cycle is the smooth, whispser quiet, and low-impact movement. It means that the cycle doesn’t have an aggressive range of motion. It doesn’t put pressure on your joints and keeps your knees safe. It’s a great pedal machine for under desk, especially for the elderly.

Depending on how fast you pedal and how often you do so, you can burn up to 1,000 calories per day! Also, it is a highly effective under desk peddler for losing weight.

However, the machine is a little bit pricey compared to the Cubii junior, which has an LCD monitor. Plus, it weighs 27 pounds. So it’s a relatively heavier product.

What we like

  • Adjustable resistance/speed
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • Pairs with phone and health trackers
  • Easy on the joints and knee caps
  • Whisper-quiet operation

What we don't like

  • It does not accommodate large feet
  • Significantly pricey

DeskCycle Under Desk Stationary Bike Exerciser

DeskCycle Under Desk Stationary Bike Exerciser

If you’re looking to burn up to 200 calories per hour, then go for the DeskCycle Under Desk bike. This cycle has been designed to provide minimal impact and maximum results.

The first thing you’ll notice is the LCD display, which isn’t featured in many under desk peddle bikes. The digital display will show the current speed setting, time elapsed, distance, and much more. It also calculates your calories burned.

Adding a display to the cycle is a good idea since it can’t connect to your phone or smart fitness bands.

Moreover, this mini stationary bike is made to be an ultra-low profile. It sits just 27 inches above the ground and can be placed under most desks and tables.

A single knob allows you to calibrate the resistance to your taste. The DeskCycle provides up to 8 resistance options, personalizing your cardio workout.

This low-impact under desk bicycle goes easy on your joints while toning your quads and calves. Use it for staying in shape and burning up to 200 calories per hour of use.

What we like

  • Ultra-low profile and highly portable
  • Easy to adjust with a knob
  • It includes an LCD panel for various functions
  • Whisper-quiet operation
  • Not too forceful on the joints

What we don't like

  • It does not connect to your smartphone
  • The software needs improvement

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do under desk ellipticals and bike cycles work?

Yes. Under desk exercise equipment has a diverse range of effects on the users. The most significant impact is the reduced latency of the users.

Other effects include reducing weight and all the benefits of cardio exercise. These machines are used extensively in rehabilitation and re-education centers. Some people may find them distracting, however.

2. Can you lose weight with under desk elliptical or bike?

You may be able to burn up to 500 calories per week if you pedal for 50 minutes every day. If you pedal for more than that or set the bike at a higher speed, you can burn more. Sitting pedal cycles are made for losing weight.

Under desk exercise equipment is a great cardio workout equipment. If you want to lose weight, don’t forget that a diet is just as important as exercise. You get a light workout with an under desk bike or an elliptical.

3. Does an under desk bike or elliptical give an intense workout?

Under desk cycling is not to be substituted for strength exercises. It only specializes in cardio and weight loss. So no, you can’t get the intense workout that you would otherwise get from lifting weights.

However, there are other under desk bike benefits. It includes reducing latency and preparing you for strength exercises. So you can get right up from work and go straight to the gym.

Conclusion 

So that concludes the comparison. But what’s the endgame here? Which one should you choose?

An Under desk bike or elliptical?

While your preferences matter the most, the Cubii Pro is the better option. It is mainly because of smartphone compatibility and foot placement. It’s easier to use and set up, and you can practice a variety of exercises on this.

But that doesn’t mean the DeskCycle under desk cycler won’t appeal to you. The final decision lies in your hands. Pick out your favorite under desk equipment and get pedaling.

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