Sometimes, it is difficult to find time to exercise if you are working all the time. You know you should exercise, but there is just no time. That’s where under the desk exercise equipment comes in.
There are many things that you could use under your desk, but the most common are the exercise bike and the elliptical. These two items fit nicely under there and allow you to exercise when you are working. You could use both, or you could decide which one is best for you.
There are many reasons that both are good for you. You should do a comparison on under desk elliptical vs under desk bike to see which one is the best for you. After the comparison, you can see which is best for you.
This article will help you to make that comparison. It will show you the pros and cons of each so that you can decide on your own. You could also do more research to get the information that you need.
Under the Desk Bike
These are small machines that fit under there that you can pedal. It requires you to move your feet up and down as if you were riding a bicycle: https://www.insider.com/pros-and-cons-of-a-desk-cycle-2016-10. You sit down while you are doing this.
They are very much like the stationary bikes at the gym, but they can be moved on top of you, as well. This way, you can use your arms to pedal the bike. This will give you a great workout for your upper body.
One of the advantages of this type of bike is that they are less expensive than the elliptical. They are also much quieter than the elliptical and good for upper and lower-body workouts.
The disadvantage of this bike is that it could put you in an awkward position to get the pedals just right. Another disadvantage is that you will need a taller desk or risk hitting your knees on the desk. If you have larger feet, the bike is also awkward to maneuver.
Under the Desk Elliptical
An under-the-desk elliptical is a smaller version of the one that you see at the gym. It is small enough to fit under there. You must move your feet back and forth in a type of shuffling movement to make it work.
This exerciser is only focused on your lower body workout. Because of the way that you move your feet, there is no need for extra room under there. You will be comfortable using it from a seated position.
The pros of using this machine are that the back-and-forth movement is better for being under there. It also helps to work more muscles in the lower body, and it helps to burn more calories. Your desk height doesn’t matter with this type of machine.
The cons of using the elliptical are it is more expensive than the bike. You can only use it for moderate speeds, so it doesn’t stand up to prolonged or intensive use. There is also no way to use it for an upper-body workout.
Similarities
Both pieces of equipment are meant for the same reason – they are meant for getting exercise while you are working at your workstation. You can multitask while using the machines, which means that you can also work or watch television. There is no reason to focus on the tasks – the movements become muscle memory after a short time.
They are both about the same size and weight. The size is about ten inches tall, and they both weigh about twenty pounds. They are both easy to manage and easy to move around as needed.
Neither of them takes up much space, although the bike seems to because you need more room to operate it. They can both stay under your desk to stay out of the way. You don’t need to worry about storing them in other places.
They can both have the same features, such as Bluetooth connectivity so that you can keep track of your workouts. Learn more about that here. You can also measure your weight loss and your fitness progress with the Bluetooth app. You can also adjust the magnetic resistance with your phone.
Differences
The movement is the biggest difference between the two. You need to use a circular movement with the bike. The elliptical requires a shuffling back-and-forth movement.
There is more clearance with the elliptical because of the way that you use it. Because of the circular movement of the bike, you will require more room. You might need to buy a new desk if you decide on the bike.
The pedals are also different with these two machines. The bikes usually have foot straps that are attached to the pedals. This can be uncomfortable for people with larger feet. Foot size doesn’t matter with the elliptical because they have high edges that keep your feet on the pedals.
Conclusion
The under-the-desk bike and elliptical are very similar in many ways. They also have many differences. You need to decide for yourself which would be best for you.
The biggest difference between the two is the way that you use them. You can work out both your upper and lower body with the bike. You will work out more muscles with the elliptical. Both will give you a good workout while you work.