The 8 Best Under

Apr 08, 2023

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They’re perfect for sedentary lifestyles—or if you’re rehabbing an injury.

WHETHER YOU sit at a desk all day and you’re looking to get in more movement, or you’re rehabbing a lower body injury (and some models work for upper body, too!), an under-desk cycle is a great option! "Under desk cycles are excellent options to combat the negative effects of a sedentary job," says Jess Malpelli, PT, DPT, physical therapist at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, NY. "Increase your heart rate while on a business call? Yes, please!"

While these devices shouldn't be thought of as an alternative to walking or exercise, they’re a great supplement to your fitness routine. Under desk cycles allow you to get in some low-pact strides, so you can still reach your daily activity goals whether you’re nursing an injury (they keep you in a nice mid-range, so there's no extreme bending for the knees) or you just have a sedentary job.

We’ve rounded up some of the best—and most quiet—options on the market. Choose from these options for an under-desk exercise bike to keep you moving on the daily.

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With over 5,000 five-star user reviews on Amazon, this under desk bike is a favorite. Simply place your feet on the flat pedals and adjust the straps for a personalized fit. The machine itself is extremely quiet, too. It can provide up to 40 pounds of resistance, so if you’re using it for rehab, you can continue progressing as you get stronger and healthier.

Rebab your arms or legs with this low-impact mini bike trainer. Adjust the resistance level according to your level at the moment, knowing that there are options to either increase or decrease the load. The LCD screen will keep track of your time, count, calories, and distance. Choose from five different color options!

Do your at-home physical therapy on this machine that provides a quiet experience. It comes with a mesh mat to put underneath it so it doesn't slide around as you pedal. And if that's not enough stability, use the provided strap to affix it to the base of your chair. It keeps tabs on time, distance, total count and calories burned.

Thanks to the magnetic resistance of this under cycle device, you’ll barely hear anything when you push and pull the pedals through a seven-inch length stride. Track your speed, time, distance, and calories burned with a manually-powered design. It offers eight different levels of resistance.

Burn some extra calories at your desk with this under pedal machine. The LCD monitor tracks your time, revolutions per minute, total revolutions, and total calories burned. Adjust the pedal resistance to your comfort level, place your feet on the non-slip pedals, strap them in, and get pushing.

While this machine folds with the simple press of a quick release button, while open, its wide base and heavy-duty frame make it extremely safe and stable for all to use. It's lower than other options on the market, so it should fit under most if not all desks. You can use it for your arms, too!

The smooth elliptical motion of this under desk machine helps keep it extremely quiet while you pedal, so you can use it even during conference calls. It weighs less than 20 pounds, so it's easily portable if you need to move it from room to room. The monitor tracks stride count, milage, duration, and calories burned.

Not only do you get an under-desk cycle with this machine, but you get a built-in chair, too—it's the perfect alternative to a typical office chair. The breathable mesh fabric on the backrest allows for ample airflow, so you never get too hot. Adjust the supportive seat with a one-touch lever. The machine tracks calories burned.

Size

Before purchasing one of these machines, be sure to check out the dimensions of the product itself, and compare that with the height of the desk you plan to place it under to ensure it will fit.

Design and Weight

It's important to pay attention to the design of an under-desk bike. "One of the biggest complains I hear from patients is that the structure is flimsy, or the machine shifts forward a lot when they place their feet in," says Malpelli. Look to see if the machine comes with a non-slip pad, an anchoring strap, or choose one that weighs more so it stays put.

Also, if you’re looking to use the bike for lower and upper body workouts, be sure to purchase one that can do both. "Be sure to position the machine correctly, too, otherwise you’ll just be reinforcing bad posture," says Malpelli.

Noise Level

Under desk bikes are a good option for those who sit at a desk all day. But if you’re planning on using the machine during work—especially while taking phone calls—you’ll want to make sure you choose one that isn't too noisy. Otherwise, you may end up purchasing it and not using it if the noise level is loud and distracting.

For the past year, we consulted with Men's Health's fitness editors, as well as key fitness trainers from both MH's Advisory board and MH's Strength in Diversity Initiative. They spent months of hands-on time with under-desk bikes from top fitness brands to evaluate them on durability, quality, and training efficiency.

Amy Schlinger is a health and fitness writer and editor based in New York City. Her work has appeared in Women's Health, The New York Post, Self, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, and more. She is a National Academy for Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT).

Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., is the fitness director of Men's Health and a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience. He's logged training time with NFL athletes and track athletes and his current training regimen includes weight training, HIIT conditioning, and yoga. Before joining Men's Health in 2017, he served as a sports columnist and tech columnist for the New York Daily News.

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