I’m not sure I agree with the whole “sitting is the new smoking” motto, but I do agree we should all be moving more.

I think we can all agree being too stationary and not getting enough exercise is certainly detrimental to our health.

Luckily, we have a lot of tools at our disposal now, so regardless of what your schedule is, there’s bound to be a way to get more exercise in.

And yes, this includes the folks that find themselves sitting at desk for work all day.

There are plenty of work related fitness devices to help us stay moving throughout the work day, like standing desks and mini walking treadmills, but good ol’ fashioned under desk exercise bikes can still get the job done too.

The key is knowing what to look for and where to find it – and that’s where I can help.

In this guide, I’ll go over the best under desk bikes the year has to offer, but I’ll also go over some of the things to look for while deciding.

After reading, you’ll be ready to find the best desk bike to meet your needs.

Let’s begin.

	Type of Desk Required	Seat?	Warranty
#1 LifeSpan Ampera	Standing	Yes	10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor
#2 FlexiSpot Sit2Go	Standing	Yes	1 year
#3 LifeSpan C3-GlowUp	Standing	Yes	10 year frame 2 year parts 1 year labor
#4 Cubii JR2	Any	No	1 year
#5 The DeskCycle 2	Any	No	1 year

The 5 Best Under Desk Exercise Bikes of 2024

#1 LifeSpan’s Ampera Office Bike

LifeSpan has a pretty impressive lineup of office fitness equipment and the Ampera is their newest and highest-end under desk bike to date.

I’m guessing the unique name is play on the word “ampere”, referring to the unit of electricity.

This makes sense, considering this under desk bike produces electricity as you pedal, allowing you to charge your devices via the built-in USB-C port.

Anyway, the Ampera is a sleek cycle designed for comfortable pedaling during the work day.

Looking at it, it looks like someone took an upright bike and simply removed the console and handlebars. It also kinda looks like a stationary version of a unicycle.

Either way, this bike has some great specs.

The self-generating power source is cool, but the Aspera also comes with a comfortable seat cushion, bluetooth compatibility with LifeSpan’s fitness app, and an easily adjustable seat that can fit folks anywhere from 5′ – 6’5″ tall.

This bike only comes with 4 resistance levels (adjusted through the app), so it’s not really designed for intense workouts.

But you can adjust the color of the LED ring for added flare anytime you want.

It also has a solid weight limit of 300 lb, so folks of most sizes can safely use it and it.

And LifeSpan backs this bike with a great warranty: 10 year frame, 2 year parts, 1 year labor.

The biggest downside to the Aspera is that it doesn’t come with a backrest, so it could become uncomfortable trying to sit on it at a desk for hours at a time.

And you’ll also need a standing desk to comfortably fit this cycle.

But if you’re looking for a legit exercise bike to use while working at your desk, LifeSpan’s Aspera is a great option.

Oh, the Asperea is also made out of recycled materials and LifeSpan plants a tree for every one they sell, so it’s about as eco-friendly as any bike out there!

 

#2 FlexiSpot’s Sit2Go Pro

If you’re looking for a more comfortable (and more affordable) under desk bike, FlexiSpot’s Sit2Go is worth taking a close look at.

Right off the bat, you’ll notice that this bike comes with a large, desk chair like backrest and a larger, more comfortable seat.

These 2 features will make the Sit2Go more comfortably to use for longer durations, so if you’re looking for a bike to serve as your full-time chair, this could be a great option.

First and foremost though, this bike also requires a standing desk to comfortably fit, so if you’re considering it, make sure you’re cool with having an adjustable desk.

In terms of performance, the Sit2Go comes with 8 resistance levels and a max resistance of roughly 145 watts.

This isn’t a lot compared to traditional exercise bikes, but 145 watts is still a pretty challenging output – especially for an under desk bike.

The Sit2Go is quite and smooth to pedal and it comes with 4 built-in castor wheels that make it easy to move around.

The wheels are also designed to lock when you sit on the bike, so you won’t have to worry about the bike wiggling around as you pedal.

This bike is great when it comes to comfort, but with a weight limit of only 250 lb, larger folks won’t be able to use it.

And FlexiSpot’s warranty isn’t nearly as generous – this bike only comes with a 1 year warranty.

But if you’re looking for a comfortable under desk bike that won’t destroy your budget, FlexiSpot’s Sit2Go is still one of the best options on the market. See full review.

 

 

#3 LifeSpan C3-GlowUp

The C3 is another impressive under desk bike by LifeSpan, especially for folks looking for a bike that provide some serious resistance.

With 16 resistance levels and a max output of 300 watts, this is one under desk bike that’s capable of providing a legit workout.

This bike also comes with a robust frame and a max weight limit of 400 lb, so it can handle folks of all sizes safely.

The seat doesn’t come with a back rest, but it does come with 19 adjustable positions, allowing it to fit most riders between 5′ – 6’8″ tall.

The C3 also comes with a console (choice of older ‘retro’ or newer ‘Omni’) that sits on your desk, making it easy to see all your stats during the workday.

And with a 10 year frame, 2 year parts, 1 year labor warranty, you won’t have to worry about the C3 crapping out on ya after a few months.

Yup, there’s not much to complain about here – the biggest downside is likely the fact that it’s often sold out, making it hard to find.

It’s also a little pricey for an under desk bike.

But if you’re looking for a beast of a bike that’s built to last, the C3 is a fantastic choice.  See full review.

 

#4 Cubii JR2 Under Desk Elliptical

If you’re looking for something more portable, more affordable, and that can be used with any desk or chair you already have, you should be thinking of a pedaler-style bike.

And when it comes to these, the Cubii JR2 is the best option I’ve come across.

I actually got one of these for my brother a while back when he was injured and trying to get moving again and I was pleasantly surprised at how well it actually worked.

As pedalers go, it stays put and offers a smooth pedaling motion, which is more than I can say for a lot of similar products.

The Cubii JR2 is marketed as an under desk elliptical, but it’s pedaling motion isn’t that different than any other under desk bike.

This little guy comes with 8 resistance levels that are adjusted by a dial in the front and it also comes with a small LCD screen that displays your time, distance, calories, etc.

It also comes with a little chair attachment that lets you connect your office chair to it so you won’t start rolling away while you pedal… pretty clever.

The Cubii JR2 is very quiet, lightweight, and it’s also bluetooth compatible with the Cubii app so you can track your data from your phone.

It’s only backed by a 12 month warranty, but we can’t really expect more than that from a $200 machine.

Overall, if you’re looking for a smooth acting under desk bike you can use anywhere, the Cubii JR2 is a very smart choice.

 

#5 DeskCycle 2 Under Desk Bike

Rounding out my list here is a classic pedaler-style under desk bike that’s gained a lot of popularity over the years – the DeskCycle 2.

As a pedaler, you can easily put it under any sized desk and since it doesn’t come with a seat, you can use it in front of any seat you like.

And the DeskCycle 2 also comes with an adjustable height, so you can customize your fit a little to make for more comfortable use.

And at 23 lb, it’s quite a bit heavier-duty than most pedalers – and this is a good thing because it means it’ll be less likely to move on ya while you’re using it.

The DeskCycle 2 comes with 8 magnetic resistance levels that are adjusted via a dial and it also comes with a small LCD console for viewing your workout stats.

This under desk bike is also covered with a 1 year warranty, which is short, but it’s as good as we can expect for this price range.

Overall, the DeskCycle 2 isn’t fancy or anything, but it’s easily one of the smoothest acting pedaler style under desk bikes around.

Choosing An Under Desk Bike

The first thing I should mention is that I’m talking specifically about bikes that fit under your existing desks here – these are “under desk” bikes.

This is opposed to “desk bikes” which come with their own small desk attached.

This is a small, but important, discernment to make because with these bikes, you do have to provide your own desk.

Which brings me to the first thing you should probably consider when looking at these types of bikes…

Type of Desk

Yup, the type of desk you have (or plan on getting) will definitely help you decide what kind of under desk bike to invest in.

I say that because some bikes are designed to be used with standing desks and won’t fit under traditional height desks, while others will fit under any desk.

The under desk bikes that come with their own seats usually have you sitting in a higher position, making them too high for a standard height desks.

Most of these require an adjustable height or standing desk to fit properly.

Pedalers or any other under desk bike that doesn’t come with its own seat should be able to fit under any kind of desk.

This is great if you don’t plan on purchasing a new desk, but these bikes are also usually more affordable, making them nice options for folks working with smaller budgets.

Resistance

Under desk bikes aren’t known for being able to provide intense workouts or anything because they’re designed with the idea of being able to use them while you’re working at a desk.

And I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure I could conduct phone calls or type on a computer while doing a HIIT workout.

That said, the resistance capabilities of under desk bikes vary quite a bit.

Some bikes can provide a lot more resistance than others and this is something worth thinking about before making a decision.

Some under desk bikes are designed to simply keep your legs moving throughout the day, others have the ability to challenge you quite a bit more when you need it.

Bikes like this could come in handy if you like the idea of getting a more intense workout in during lunch or during some other break throughout the day.

Now some manufacturers will provide a watt output for their bikes, giving you an objective way to measure how intense their resistance is – others won’t.

Seat

The seat and probably more importantly, the backrest, are certainly worth considering before making a decision too – especially if you plan on using this under desk bike as your primary desk seat.

Some bikes come with larger, more comfortable seats and large backrests that mimic traditional desk chairs, others don’t.

Some bikes don’t come with a seat at all and allow you to place them in front of any seat you like – in which case you’d have to provide your own desk chair.

If you plan on using your bike as your primary seat and plan on sitting on it for hours a day, it might be a good idea to go with one that has a more supportive backrest.

You know, for the sake of comfort.

Weight Limit

This one only applies to the bikes that come with their own seat, so if you aren’t looking for a bike like this, you can go ahead and skip this one.

But if you are looking at a bike with a seat, you’ll have to make sure it can safely hold ya.

As you’ll see, the higher-end desk bikes come with impressive weight limits upwards of 400 lb, while others come with significantly lower limits.

Before you buy anything, make sure it can safely hold you based on its weight capacity.

Warranty

Under desk bike warranties vary greatly depending on the brand and price range.

LifeSpan, for example, backs their under desk bikes with very generous warranties (as you may’ve noticed above), but this isn’t the norm.

Most of these bikes come with a simple 12 month guarantees and that’s it.

This is especially true for the more affordable pedalers, but some of the more expensive options only offer this kind of warranty as well.

I’m not saying the warranty should necessarily be a dealbreaker, but it should definitely be considered before making a final decision.

Console

Finally, there’s the issue of the console – some under desk bikes have one, others don’t.

If you like the idea of tracking your workout time, distance, and other metrics, you should look for a bike that comes with a display.

Some bikes come with small LCD consoles built-into the bike, others come with larger consoles that can sit on your desk, allowing you to conveniently see your stats while you work.

Others don’t come with any console, so you can’t track anything.

Some consoles will also pair with fitness apps via bluetooth, allowing you to track everything from your phone.

When choosing an under desk bike, it’s a good idea to think about the console and what it has to offer.

Final Thoughts

Ok, I think that about does it.

With under desk bikes, treadmills, and standing desks, the ol’ “I don’t have time to workout any more because I’m always working” excuse just don’t work anymore.

Sorry, not sorry.

The truth is we all need to move more and if getting a bike or walking treadmill helps with that, it’s definitely worth it.

Anyway, when it comes to choosing an under desk bike, there are a few things you can think about to help you narrow down your search.

First of all, think about the desk you’ll be using – if it’s height adjustable, you can use any bike you like, if it isn’t, you’ll have to make sure your bike can fit with your desk.

Pedaler-style bikes can be used with any chair or desk you have; the bikes that come with a seat usually need a higher/height adjustable desk.

Otherwise, it’s all about finding an under desk bike that has the most features to fit your needs.

I hope you found this guide helpful and if you have any questions or know of any bikes that deserve a spot on this list, leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you shortly.