7 Best Under

Mar 25, 2023

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In this case, multitasking is good for your health.

The pros agree that stationary biking is a habit that contributes to an overall healthy lifestyle. "I’m a doctor of physical therapy, and I highly recommend biking at home for prevention and wellness," says Amber L Enright, P.T., D.P.T. Dr. Enright advises that 30 to 45 minutes of moderate-level resistance biking three to five times per week can "enhance cognitive functions, preserve memory and recall skills, may improve balance, may reduce cardiovascular and pulmonary risk factors, and improve endurance."

But what if you don't have time or ability for dedicated indoor cycling workouts? Doctors say the mental and physical health benefits of biking are many even when cycling isn't an intense workout but a secondary activity undertaken while sitting at a desk or table...which leads us to the subject of this story: the best under-desk bikes.

"The use of an under-the-desk bike is a win-win situation," explains Dr. Rahul Shah, board-certified orthopedic spine and neck surgeon. Among the "significant advantages to using one," he says, is the chance for continual movement during an otherwise inactive time. "It is much better to be doing something than to remain sedentary."

Plus, he says, the calorie-burning potential is more significant than you might think. "You burn more calories [with an under-desk bike] than a standup desk treadmill," he says. "It improves your circulation and strengthens the core. You also incorporate the use of your quadriceps, hamstrings, and gluteus muscles. You may even incorporate your arms to stabilize yourself."

The balance required for stationary biking contributes to improved posture. "Additionally, when using the bike, the body is forced to sit up straight so a person will naturally maintain better posture and blood will circulate to the muscles that need it. As such, the major body muscles will be primed to play an active role to optimize posture," Shah says.

And there are brain-health benefits, too. Brian A. Cole, M.D., F.A.A.O.S. explains, "While riding the bike your neural pathways are opened which leads to better focus and less fatigue."

Given the many doctor-endorsed benefits of this kind of exercise, here are the best under-desk bikes to keep you moving while you work or sit.

To choose the best under-best bikes, we interviewed multiple medical doctors and physical therapists around the country for their feedback on what to look for in a bike, and why the various features matter for health and posture. We researched popular, highly reviewed products at a range of price points, sizes, and configurations to offer a range of customer-tested options for a variety of specs and spaces.

This best-selling bike has a low profile to better fit under desks and tables. A wide base offers stability and support. An adjustable tension knob allows the rider some degree of control over resistance. This bike is compact, lightweight, and foldable. Plus, it's virtually noise-free.

This recumbent-style stationary bike is "inexpensive, easy to assemble, and has resistance both backward and forward," Enright says. It tracks mileage, speed, the seat is adjustable for shorter or taller people, and it has a backrest and handles for anyone who has difficulty getting on and off of standard bikes or stationary bikes.

Plus, she notes, "it folds and can also fit under a standing desk if someone wanted to work while biking, reading, or just cycle while watching Jeopardy."

This under-desk bike can fit under desks as low as 27 inches. It has a substantial amount of resistance with calibrated settings. The pedals have adjustable straps to keep feet securely in place, and magnetic resistance keeps the pedal motion smooth. It has a six-function removable LCD display with data including speed, time, distance, and calories.

This quiet under-desk bike has smooth pedal action thanks to a samarium cobalt magnet. The bike offers eight adjustable levels of magnetic tension. A large, easy-to-read monitor tracks time, distance, speed, and calories. A handle keeps it portable.

This mini bike offers multi-level resistance with a compact footprint. A multi-function LCD monitor displays time, calories, and distance, and rotates through the measurements for tracking data at a glance as you go. Anti-slip pedals keep feet secure while in use. Assembly is quick and tool free.

This elliptical-style pedaler offers a seven-inch stride from a seated position with a belt-drive mechanism and flywheel with eight levels of magnetic tension. At just over 20 inches long and 10 inches tall, the compact pedaler stores easily and has an integrated handgrip for carrying. It weighs just 19 pounds. (You can also use it at desk level to work out your arms.)

Depending on your setup, you may prefer a bike that actually comes with the desk, too. This option comes with desk surface large enough for a laptop, notebooks, and a smartphone—whatever your essentials. This bike is adjustable for height by way of a user-friendly pneumatic lever that moves the seat up or down with the push of a button.

Footprint and clearance: Consider the amount of space you have in the room; a smaller space will require a bike with a smaller footprint. You’ll also want to consider the amount of clearance under your desk to avoid choosing a bike with inadequate clearance for knees. "You may have to consider acquiring a new desk set up for your specific workspace," Cole says.

Adjustability: "Adjustability in terms of height should be a feature to look for," Cole says. "If the bike is too high or low, it can strain the back and lower body."

Portability and storage: "Look for a bike that can be moved to the sofa or other places where you would typically sit for an extended time to get the full benefits," he says. Built-in handles or folding functionality are features that contribute to portability and ease of storage.

Data and display: Some simple under-desk bikes have no monitoring capabilities at all. Others both record and display various data points for riders. Under-desk bike shoppers should investigate what type of monitoring is available (such as speed, distance, and calorie burn) and whether the monitor is easily readable, Cole advises.

Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.

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