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As someone who has worked remotely since the pandemic, I can’t imagine ever going back to in-office work. For me, the numerous advantages like saving time and money on a lengthy commute and staying at home with my senior dog far outweigh any drawbacks. But that’s not to say remote work comes without its downsides — that’s far from the case. I can meet up with friends and family after work hours to make up for the decreased socialization, but there’s still the issue of sitting for prolonged hours.
Researchers have found that sitting more than eight hours per day has similar risks to obesity and smoking. Most people sit the majority of the standard eight-hour workday, and that’s not to mention the time spent relaxing afterwards. When you’re in the office, at least you’re walking through the parking lot a couple of times during the day and moving around to visit a coworker’s desk or attend meetings, which is eliminated when working from home. Under-desk walking pads and exercise peddlers have become a popular solution to getting in more movement while you work, but the newer desk bike design takes this concept to a new level.
What is a desk bike?
A desk bike is exactly what it sounds like: an office desk that’s built on top of a stationary bike. A small under-desk air peddler rarely has the resistance levels of a traditional exercise bike and doesn’t require as much leg movement to keep them turning. The desk bike improves on this quality issue, giving you a better workout by utilizing more muscle groups and requiring more effort to spin the pedals. There are several desk bike options around the web, which you can find at Amazon, Walmart, or Target.
Testing out a more affordable model is a good way to see how this exercise equipment works out for you before splurging on the more expensive offerings. One of the best options we’ve found is at Target: the top-rated Stamina Products Wirk Ride Exercise Stationary Bike. It uses adjustable magnetic tension to provide plenty of resistance and has a tabletop measuring 10 inches long by 17.25 inches wide to securely hold your laptop as you go. Walmart and Amazon also have options available for $300 or less.
Stamina Products Wirk Ride Exercise Stationary Bike
Weston Home Huntley Exercise Bike Desk
FitDesk Standing Exercise Bike Desk 3.0
Why it’s important to move while you work
Biking is a cardio exercise that comes with its well-known advantages, like strengthening your heart and burning calories to shed any unwanted pounds. However, science has also found other beneficial reasons to add movement to your workday. Generally, you’ll need to spend about 150 minutes per week working out to reap these benefits, which converts to 30 minutes of exercise Monday through Friday if you want to complete it on the clock.
- Physically moving can improve your focus. Exercise increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, providing many cognitive benefits. A quick 10 minutes of cardio, like pumping those bike pedals, can improve focus and memory.
- Exercise reduces stress. It doesn’t matter if you’re at the gym after work or peddling away during your regular scheduled working hours — a workout can boost your mood and reduce stress hormones. If you’re feeling particularly stressed out from a challenging work issue, a short workout could provide the breakthrough you need.
- Exercise can improve your productivity. Sticking to cardio exercises regularly means having better energy levels over time. When you have more energy, you have more brain power to put towards completing your difficult work projects.
Other exercise bike desks to consider
If you’re ready to go all in on a bike desk, one of the most popular brands is FlexiSpot. These are most similar to what the standard stationary bike you’d find at a gym, with prices ranging around $500 at Amazon, though the FlexiSpot V9 Exercise Bike is currently on sale for $360 if you’re a Prime member.
If you already have a standing desk, you can also find office chair bikes, which look like a stationary bike without the upper handles, allowing them to slip under a desk. These are usually a bit more affordable, but still provide a more intense workout compared to lightweight foot peddlers.
FlexiSpot V9 Exercise Bike
Beck Exitech 3-in-1 Adjustable Desk Exercise Bike
Hitgo Office Exercise Bike Desk Chair
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