Do Under-Desk Ellipticals Actually Work?
I’ve been using one every day for six months — here’s what you can (and can’t) expect
Like roughly 80% of the workforce, I have a sedentary job that keeps me chained to a desk 40 hours a week. As someone passionate about exercise and keenly aware of how important physical activity is, it’s a fact that used to drive me bonkers. Yes, I took frequent breaks to get up and walk around, but I knew it likely wasn’t enough to counteract the dangerous consequences of sitting so much.
While researching ways to stay active at work, I learned about compact bikes and ellipticals, which are compact units that fit under your desk so you can exercise while you work. In addition, I found claims that such units can help tone the legs and burns more calories than a standing desk.
I was a bit skeptical and had questions: Wouldn’t exercise while working be too distracting? Can you burn enough calories to matter? Does it even really count as exercise?
However, I was desperate to find a solution for my desk-ridden butt, so I invested in a Cubii JR (arguably the most popular brand of compact elliptical) this past January.
I’ve been using it every day since.
