In the wake of the COVID pandemic, working from home has quickly become the new normal. Whether you're completing work-related tasks, attending work meetings, or participating in social meet-ups, it can all be achieved behind a computer screen. Most people continue experiencing limited movements following the elimination of their work commutes, and they inadvertently spend most of their time sitting at their home work-desks or watching TV.
Sitting for long hours without intermittent standing or walking can be detrimental to one's health. Prolonged sitting has been found to increase the risk of chronic health problems, notably heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers such as colon cancer. Excessive sitting can also cause damage to your spine. It alters the lumbar spine's passive stiffness, resultantly putting you at risk of lower back injury.
With these and other detrimental effects of prolonged sitting, most of us are looking for at-home fitness solutions and outfitting our home gyms. Under-the-desk exercisers, notably desk cycles and desk bikes, made their debut in the fitness industry and have witnessed a spike in popularity in light of the recent global pandemic. These compact pieces of equipment tuck nicely underneath a desk or table, allowing you to exercise at the comfort of your desk. They offer flexibility in your workout schedule by eliminating the need to leave the house, or even your workstation.
Pedaling desk cycles and desk bikes can help boost diminished energy levels experienced after intense online meetings or lengthy streamed conferences. These pieces of equipment come with additional health perks, notably, more muscular legs and improved calorie burn, which enables users to maintain their recommended weight.
While desk cycles and desk bikes perform a similar function, which is enabling us to exercise without leaving our chairs, they have subtle differences and suit different individual needs. If you're looking to acquire an in-house fitness solution, choosing between a desk cycle and a desk bike can be quite daunting. Below is an in-depth comparison between the desk cycle, i.e., the DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser, and the desk bike, i.e., the Tiktok Viral Desk Bike/Bike Workstation V9. This comparison will help shed some light on the best under-the-desk exerciser to purchase.
DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
The DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser is an ideal piece of equipment for individuals looking to exercise right at their workstations. You can use it at home or in the office while working on your computer, watching TV, playing video games, using your phone, or simply powering down at the end of a long day. It's ideal for general exercise and physical therapy. Low-impact cycling enables you to effortlessly burn calories while sitting. It also stimulates active blood circulation, subsequently enhancing productivity, increasing energy, and boosting your overall mood. Here's an in-depth review of the bike’s features.
Smooth Pedaling
The under-the-desk exerciser allows you to exercise quietly without disturbing your co-workers or family members, thanks to the ultra-smooth pedal motion with quiet magnetic resistance. This feature makes pedaling the DeskCycle an unconscious activity, enabling you to focus your attention on other activities. The combination of magnetic resistance and a precision flywheel (with an effective weight of 40 lbs) facilitates smooth and effortless pedaling.
Multiple resistance levels
The DeskCycle offers eight different intensity levels to choose from, enabling you to push your workout to the limit. You can start at the lowest setting, gradually increase, then moderate the level of resistance as the stiffness in your leg muscles intensifies.
LCD Display
The DeskCycle comes with an LCD screen that shows real-time exercise results. The display indicates different metrics, including speed, time, distance, and calories burned during exercise. The display is easy to read and comes with simple power settings. The DeskCycle is ideal for senior fitness, physical therapy, and office calories-burn. Family members can adopt this for their workout routine, as it doesn’t discriminate against fidgety children, or underwhelm fitness enthusiasts. The DeskCycle can facilitate a 500-calories burn in a week and has been found to decrease waist size, cut weight, and reduce total fat mass.
Pros
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User-friendly
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Resistance-free, whisper-quiet cycling
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Eight calibrated resistance levels
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Easy-to-read display
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Quick and easy setup
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Simple power settings
Cons
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It doesn't come with a fitness app
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Users over 5'10" may need a taller desk
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The pedal height cannot be adjusted
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The LCD display is pretty small
Bike Workstation V9
FlexiSpot's is an outstanding desk bike that helps you stay active during sedentary activities such as watching TV or responding to emails. The all-in-one desk exercise bike delivers the best of both worlds, allowing you to burn calories while still attending to crucial tasks on your computer, tablet, or phone.The desk bike won the CES Innovation Award in 2018 and has received glowing reviews from users. It packs plenty of excellent features that allow you to stay active while working from home, and in due course boosts your overall health.
Adjustable Customized Heights
The Bike Workstation V9 features an instantly adjustable seat with an outstanding level of comfort. The seat is constructed with premium build quality, and added plush cushioning for comfort. You can easily adjust the seat with the gentle press of a lever without getting off the bike. Seamless height adjustability makes it highly versatile and compatible for the entire family. Whether 5'1" or 6'2", the whole family can comfortably use it.
8 Resistance Levels with Whisper-Quiet Operation
FlexiSpot's desk bike features eight resistance levels, allowing you to exercise at different intensities based on your exercise preference and fitness goals. The whisper-quiet pedaling also makes the desk bike suitable for undisruptive use in your work or home environment. You can cycle quietly and smoothly without the clunks and grinding noises traditionally associated with workout equipment.
Easily Moveable
Moving the desk bike is relatively easy thanks to the four durable caster wheels with 360-degree swivel. The desk bike is compact and occupies minimal spaces without appearing bulky. The compact design tucks neatly below any standing desk, making it the ideal exercise option for the office.
Seamless Assembly
Assembling the desk bike is straightforward and can be done in under a minute. It is as simple as attaching the desktop to the bike, and you're done. The process does not call for the use of extra tools or a complicated assembly manual.
Moveable Spacious Desktop
The FlexiSpot desk bike comes with an easily moveable and spacious desktop, making it the ideal workstation. You can effortlessly move the desktop forward, backward, up or down to fit your comfort level. Furthermore, the desktop is spacious enough to hold your books, tablet, laptop, and supplementary work tools.
In summary, the Bike Workstation V9 is a genuinely low-impact home or office exercise machine to keep you active and healthy, while occupying very little space. It's TUV Certified and offers a tremendous calorie-burning workout right at your desk without disrupting your co-workers or family.
Pros
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8-resistance levels
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Compact, space-saving design
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Easily movable
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Whisper-quiet operation
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Comfortable, height-adjustable seat
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No assembly required
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Easily moveable with four easy rolling, double sensor caster wheels for easy storage
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It comes with an adjustable, spacious desktop
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Convenient cup holder
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LCD display tracks mileage, time, and calories burned
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Suitable for people between 5’1” to 6’2” and up to 136kg
Cons
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No backrest
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Not compatible with other standing desks
DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser vs. Bike Workstation V9
Similarities
The DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser and Bike Workstation V9 have some known similarities, including:
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Both have 8-adjustable resistance levels.
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Both have an LCD display to track fitness progress
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Both provide whisper-quiet operation
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Both offer an easy and straightforward setup.
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Both have the same form of motion. They move your feet in a circular motion, like a regular bike. The action helps exercise your quadriceps, hamstrings, hips, and core.
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Both share the same purpose with an almost similar concept; to burn calories and get us to exercise without leaving our workstation.
Differences
Usability
The FlexiSpot's Bike Workstation V9 is a jack of all trades, allowing you to exercise while still attending to tasks. The All-in-one desk bike comes with an adjustable and spacious desktop that holds your books and gadgets, allowing you to exercise while working. The desktop can be moved forward, backward, up or down, facilitating seamless working. It can therefore be used as a working desk in addition to being an exercise machine. Simply stop pedaling to end the exercise process, and you instantly revert to the regular standing desk mode. With the design, you can seamlessly switch between sitting, standing, and biking. On the other hand, the DeskCycle can only be used as a piece of exercise equipment. It is not ideal as an exclusive workstation. In order to work while exercising, you'll need a height-adjustable desk and an ergonomic seat.
Mobility
The Bike Workstation V9 can easily be moved across rooms thanks to its four durable caster wheels with a 360-degree swivel that facilitates effortless movement. What's more, the compact design tucks neatly below any standing desk, reducing the amount of space it occupies. The DeskCycle doesn't feature caster wheels, which makes movement challenging. The only way to move the machine is by physically lifting and moving it. Considering that it weighs 23.00 lbs, this is potentially challenging to most people.
Height Adjustability
FlexiSpot’s V9 seat and desktop are all height adjustable. You can effortlessly adjust the seat with the gentle press of a lever and without needing to get off the bike. The desktop can be moved up or down depending on your height. The desk bike is adjustable for people between 5'1" to 6'2" and weighing up to 136kg. On the other hand, the DeskCycle doesn't support height adjustability. The pedal height can't be adjusted, limiting its compatibility with other desks. The lack of height adjustability limits it to users below 5'10".
Comfort
The V9 desk bike offers outstanding comfort while exercising. The seat's premium build quality, cushioning, and design makes it the most comfortable on the market. You can be sure to cycle quietly and smoothly without disrupting others in your environment. Regardless, the lack of a backrest makes it less comfortable. The DeskCycle isn't a comprehensive workstation; therefore, overall comfort depends on the seat, and desk one uses while exercising.
Compatibility with Other Desks
The V9 desk bike is not compatible with other desks considering that the desktop is non-detachable. Be that as it may, it's a complete workstation in itself, and you won't be needing an additional working tabletop. The DeskCycle is compatible with most work desks, provided the height clearance is reached. You can use it with any height-adjustable standing desk.
Variability
The V9 desk bike has a larger area meaning that it allows for you to cycle with your legs at a different position. Cycling with different foot positioning means that you could target different muscles while exercising. Therefore, it is ideally suitable for an individual in physiotherapy rehabilitation where specific muscles are targeted. The pedal of the DeskCycle doesn't allow much flexibility in terms of foot positioning, making it only suitable for wholesome exercises.
Verdict: Which is the Best for Me.
While the DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser and Bike Workstation V9 have several similarities and are both beneficial in your fitness and health journey, FlexiSpot's Bike Workstation V9 is a more worthwhile investment. The All-in-One Desk Bike offers more functionality, combining a stationary bike with a portable work surface. A spacious 580x510mm desktop is attached to the bike, facilitating multitasking in any setting. The V9’s flexible design allows for versatility, allowing users to seamlessly transit between standing, biking and sitting. Moreover, V9's sleek design coupled with its ease of movement makes it perfect for any setting: in your office, home office, and even in your living room, right in front of the TV. From the above comparison, the is an outright winner and a worthy investment. It will go a long way in enabling you to stay fit and active during prolonged sitting sessions, which would otherwise be detrimental to your lumbar spine and overall health.
