Get Your Work and Your Workout Done at the Same Time!
Working in an office all day long not only represents a challenge due to nature of the work itself, but also because it involves countless hours of sitting behind a desk. Believe me, I know what I’m talking about, because I have one of those jobs. It strains your mind and your body in nearly equal measures. When it comes to physical strain, your feet will begin to suffer from numbness if you stay in the same position for extended periods of time, which is sort of destined to happen when you’re doing your job, right? You can’t quit, because you’re used to all that cool stuff like food, a roof over your head, and electricity.
You can, however, do something good for your body by getting on an exercise bike once in a while. The idea of taking an exercise bike to work might sound weird, but with the DeskCycle Desk Exerciser there is a way around that. Plus, you won’t become the laughing stock of the entire firm. In fact, I’m willing to bet the opposite, that you will be approached by your colleagues to let them try it out themselves. This is a wonderful way to exercise even when you’re not at home and it even makes your job less mundane.
General Information
The DeskCycle claims to have the lowest pedal height on the market, and at just 10 inches, I would tend to agree with them. While it fits under most desks, even low ones, those who have longer legs and cramped desks will encounter some issues in regards to having to lower their chairs and extend their legs. Not a problem, but you’ve created an entirely different one, since you can’t reach whatever is on your desk.
Distancing yourself from the computer to use the desk trainer sort of defeats its purpose, so that is why the manufacturer clearly states that if your height is 5’7” or over, you will have to push the cycle further away so that your legs can extend fully, and lower your chair. The good news is that the machine is so compact, you can come up with adjustments and make it fit.
Another aspect worth mentioning is the addition of Velcro straps to the pedals. This can be both a pro and a con, depending on how you see it. Let me explain. On one hand, the straps prevent your feet from slipping, but on the other, working in an office sometimes requires you to move from one place to another, and it can become tiresome and annoying to always take the straps off and then put them back on.
Resistance Settings and Features
Despite its minuscule dimensions, the DeskCycle is an exercise bike in the truest sense of the word. There are 8 resistance settings to choose from, depending on the workout intensity you want. By combining the duration of the session and speed of pedaling, you can get quite a workout without even leaving your desk. Keep in mind that, if you want to use the machine at a resistance level 3 or above, you will need a heavy chair to prevent you from moving all over the place.
The pedal motion is bidirectional, allowing you to move your feet both clockwise and counterclockwise. DeskCycle also claims to have more than twice the resistance range of other products of its kind, and with the magnetic resistance providing smooth and fluid motion to the pedaling, it displays some impressive specs. It’s also quiet, because, after all, why would you take a desk exercise bike to work, if the sound it makes would not only drive you insane, but also hinder your work performance? Luckily, the DeskCycle doesn’t implement friction resistance, so it has you covered on that end as well.
The Monitor
The monitor has a 5-function display, which shows time, distance, speed, as well as the number of burned calories. However, the calorie counter isn’t all that accurate, so you shouldn’t take everything it says for granted, since it has a tendency to overestimate. The positioning of the monitor makes it almost impossible for you to read any of the data displayed, which makes it somewhat pointless.
Bottom Line
While the DeskCycle leaves room for improvement, such a portable and compact desk trainer is not something you see every day. It represents a fun way of burning calories at work, while keeping your lower body on the move. It’s a great feeling to know you are travelling miles while never leaving your desk. On top of all that, it’s quiet, which is all the more important since it will be used in the workplace.
If you’re interested, go to Amazon and find the DeskCycle at an unbeatable price.
Further Information