Under Desk Elliptical vs Elliptical for Weight Loss

M ost jobs in today’s society require sitting or standing for more than 8 hours, which is far from ideal when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and weight. Specialists recommend fighting this situation with a workout routine you can develop on an elliptical at home or at a local gym. This, nevertheless, doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to take an extra hour from your free time to exercise on a full-size machine when there are plenty of under-desk elliptical reviews that can help you pick one of these machines and get the physical activity you need while doing your job. The question most people ask is “Does this really work?”. Below we compare the advantages offered by an under-desk elliptical compared to a traditional trainer to see if you can really ditch the second option for good.

Woman Pedals on Under-Desk Elliptical while Sitting Down

Under Desk Elliptical

This machine was invented to help you exercise when you need to sit or stand in one place, which makes it ideal for the office but can just as well be used when at home and watching a movie. The number one company on this market is Cubii, which has for sale high-quality models that offer a smooth movement and allow you to receive information like the distance on which you have strode or the number of strides you have made.

An under desk model brings some advantages that cannot be found in a regular gym machine, and this is due to its very compact design. This being said, let’s take a look at how it functions.

Key Features

• Under-desk models are short and were designed to be used at work – these products lack the top side of a regular elliptical, and in most cases, are designed to be used while seated. They can be pushed under the desk and employed while taking calls or answering emails. Since they occupy less space, they don’t stay in the way and don’t represent an annoyance for the other employees.
• They are provided with large pedals – this is one of the main things to keep in mind: compared to an under-desk bike, an elliptical has generous pedals that allow you to place your whole foot on them, so it will take longer until you get tired using it.
• They have monitors – in most cases, you will be able to look at a display that is placed on top of the machine and know how well you are doing. The most common parameters registered are time, distance, and the number of strides, but some models may also offer information on the number of calories you have burned or the speed with which you have been pedaling.
• They are adjustable – you can adjust the resistance level and make things harder for yourself, so you can get the results you expect in a shorter amount of time.
• They don’t put pressure on your knee – osteoporosis is a serious problem, and many individuals struggle to find a way to get good exercise for their legs without going through excruciating pain. Compared to a full-size elliptical, the under-desk requires that you sit on a chair, so it turns into a sort of a bike, most of your weight being supported by the seat.
• They help you improve your cardiovascular function – you can raise your pulse by doing HIIT on the machine, which implies working out really hard, then pedaling moderately for a moment so you can catch your breath, and going hard again. This study from 2015 has shown that doing low-volume HIIT can help you improve cardio-metabolic health.

Pros

• Can be used in an office as it is compact and, in most cases, quiet
• Studies have shown that it can enhance cognitive capacity, so it can actually make you more productive
• Allows you to track your performance
• Can be relocated more easily as it is lighter
• Ideal for individuals who have bad knees or are recovering after surgery and cannot put too much pressure on their joints
• Almost no installation or maintenance required
• The price is more accessible

Cons

• Some models can be loud and need to be oiled constantly to reduce the intensity of the noise
• You need a tall desk, otherwise, you risk hitting your knees on the tabletop
• Since the monitor is placed on the apparatus in most cases, it is difficult to see your progress
• Even if the studies are in favor of using it at work, some persons reported having difficulties concentrating while using it

Woman in Living Room Trains with Elliptical

Elliptical

This is a full-size gym machine that somehow resembles an indoor bike through the fact that it has pedals. However, from this point forward, the way it functions and the muscle groups it engages are different. Let’s take a look at the features that set this apparatus apart.

Key Features

• Ellipticals provide exercise for the entire body – compared to under-desk models, full-size ellipticals come with handles, which means that you can coordinate your leg movement with your arm movement and also work out your biceps, triceps, back, shoulder, and even ab muscles.
• They are bigger and more comfortable – even if you compromise space, you don’t compromise comfort. Therefore, you can work out harder and longer and get better results.
• They have more complex monitors – some models even come with consoles that integrate LCDs. This means that you will not only have access to your performance parameters but you can watch workout videos, get in touch with a personal trainer who can develop a special routine for you, and even get lost in amazing landscapes with the Explore the World app.
• More intense workouts – this study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness has shown that elliptical workouts can be just as effective as running on a treadmill on women who are just getting started. The elliptical can help you burn more calories than the under-desk option and will improve your cardiovascular fitness if used regularly.
• Multiple intensity levels – they also allow you to adjust the intensity of the exercises by applying more or less magnetic resistance. Many machines have preset programs that would simulate climbing a hill or striding at a high pace, so you can just select them and skip wasting time with other adjustments.
• They are gentler on your knees than other apparatuses – compared to a stair climber, a cross-trainer makes your leg follow an elliptical movement that reduces the risk of your knees locking. The pressure is smaller, yet not as small as with an under-desk model.

Pros

• High-quality construction and multiple resistance levels allow for variation in exercise
• Engages the whole body as most models offer mobile handles for the hand
• Interactive workout videos and world landscapes cast boredom away
• Puts less pressure on the knees than a treadmill, and according to this study, an off-axis model can help reduce pain and improve knee function
• Burns more calories than an under-desk model
• More accurate parameter tracking – some models come with telemetry and chest straps
• Low maintenance

Cons

• You need to clear room for it as it is large
• Louder than an under-desk
• Needs assembly and is difficult to move
• More expensive

Bottom Line: Is an Under Desk Cycle or Elliptical Better?

The safest answer to this question, which is often the right one, as well, is that you need to decide for what you need the machine. If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands and your office arrangement allows for you to exercise while working, then you should try the under-desk. When we tested one of the products for Cubii, I pedaled on it for about 1 hour (only a few of us knew that I was testing it), and nobody in the office noticed what I was doing. When I showed them the machine, they acknowledged they were hearing a soft swoosh-swoosh, but it was a relaxing sound that didn’t interfere with their activity.

On the other hand, if you are trying to lose weight or get better cardio fitness, you should pick the elliptical trainer, as this is a full-size gym apparatus and was proven to be efficient in burning calories and raising your pulse. All models allow you to adjust the intensity and track your performance, but if you are up for the best experience and prepared to spend some extra money, you can benefit from live classes and interactive workouts.