This post was originally written in June 2015. It was fully updated in August 2019.
The evidence is mounting: being sedentary, even for people who exercise regularly, is detrimental to health. But so many of us work in jobs that require being at a desk for the majority of our day. What are the options for incorporating movement into your workday so you can still get your job done?
Consider a stationary bike desk. It can deliver great health benefits without taking up much room or breaking your budget.
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Never even heard of a stationary bike desk before? You’re not alone! While standing desks and treadmill desks have soared in popularity, the stationary bike desk seems like a bit of a forgotten stepchild. And that’s such a shame! It’s a great option for at home fitness.
A stationary bike desk is exactly what it sounds like: a stationary bicycle with a desk attached. Far more substantial and versatile than most under-the-desk pedal systems, a full works-for-work and works-for-exercise bike is ideal for work-at-home folks.
The Best Stationary Bike Desk: FitDesk
I first saw the FitDesk in 2013. I was intrigued. I did a little more research, read some reviews, and decided to buy it. I’m here to report that it was one of the better purchases I’ve made. Here we are years later, and it still gets regular use.
How do I incorporate the FitDesk stationary bike desk into my day? I use the time I’m riding to answer emails, plan client workouts, surf Facebook, and buy way too many things off of Amazon. Basically, if I’m going to be busy working on my laptop, I’m going to be using the FitDesk. Even this post was written while pedaling!
One of the things I love most about the FitDesk– and there are many great qualities to choose from– is that it is incredibly quiet. I can ride it without driving myself crazy by the noise, which is one of my big complaints with treadmill desks. I was amazed when we discovered that I can ride and my kids can watch TV in the same room without turning up the volume.
Another nice feature of the FitDesk is that it accommodates different body sizes. Both 5’3″ me and my 5’9″ work-from-home husband can use it comfortably. Even better, the adjustment mechanism for the seat works easily and smoothly. There is a sticker that indicates the maximum user weight for the FitDesk is 300 pounds, so it should accommodate most home users.
Need a folding exercise bike?
I’d resisted buying a piece of exercise equipment because I didn’t want something that takes up a lot of space. The FitDesk has been a fantastic because it has a very small footprint. When it is unfolded and ready-to-use, it takes up about 2′ x 3′ of floor space. That means it can stay out in my family room, available for daily use.
It’s a bonus that the FitDesk folds up easily. Simply pull to release a peg in the seat stem, and this folding exercise bike closes up like scissors coming together. It has wheels on the back floor platform, so it can be tipped and rolled to be stowed. It’s easy to store in a closet if I want to tuck it away when guests come over.
Stationary Desk Bike vs. Treadmill Desk
Here’s the biggest benefit of a stationary desk bike over a treadmill desk, in my opinion: the Fit Desk has the capacity to be used as a traditional stationary bicycle. That means it has the option of adjusting for higher resistance that will give a more challenging workout. If you hold the handlebars rather than type, you can work at an effort level that provides a high quality cardio workout. In contrast, most treadmill desks do not have the motor capacity to also use them for intense running workouts. Having a folding exercise bike that is also a desk means it does double duty.
If you work from home and have thought about a treadmill desk, give the Fit Desk a look. A stationary bike desk would also work great for someone who is busy working and finds it hard to fit exercise into the day but likes to watch TV at night. It’s a small footprint and quite affordable for quality exercise equipment.
Can you really burn calories with a stationary bike desk?
Now, I’m not out to convince myself that riding and working has the same exercise benefits of going for a hard run. And that’s okay. I bought the FitDesk to sneak more movement into my day, and it certainly achieves that goal.
I can ride very comfortably (16-18mph, resistance set at 4 of 8) without breaking a sweat. The seat is comfortable enough to ride for an hour. That sneaky workout burns about 500 calories, which is far better than doing nothing!
In the last four years, I have ridden my FitDesk stationary desk bike on average three times per week. I have had absolutely zero maintenance issues with the bike. I highly recommend it as a piece of home exercise equipment that is well worth the reasonable investment.
If you struggle with how to find time to exercise, a stationary bike desk could be the solution you’re not even looking for!
