'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
What is a bike desk, and which are the best?
Remote work still has many of us stationed at home, which means our bodies are often more stationary. We've all heard that inactivity can negatively affect overall health. Regular exercise can help improve mental well-being, strengthen the immune system, build muscle, and support healthy bones.
ZDNET Recommends
And yet, it can be hard to get dressed and commute to the gym, especially after a long day of work -- but desk bikes are an excellent solution. Instead of remaining stationary for hours on end, you can pedal under your desk while you work on that project or draft a promotion-worthy email -- all while staying in place.
Also: What are the best treadmill desks and do they really work?
Cycling is a low-impact form of cardio that can be easier on the joints compared to running. You don't have to train for a triathlon, but cycling a few miles can be a great habit that you won't immediately grow sick of. Plus, it's best to set attainable goals and accomplish small wins throughout your day. A bike desk allows you to habit stack your work and fitness by combining cardio with productivity.
Also: These fitness apps have the best online home workout programs
It's not just remote workers who are moving to bike desks. Social media management company Hootsuite revamped its Vancouver headquarters and replaced 500 desks with bike desks, treadmill desks, meeting pods, and sit-stand workstations. Exercising with a bike desk can alleviate stress while making sure you stay awake and alert all day long.
- Large desk surface
- Easy to reach the pedals
- Easy assembly
- Battery not included
- Backless seat
- No shoe straps
Tech specs: Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Dimensions: 37.6 x 23.2 x 47.2 inches | Item weight: 51 pounds | Height range: 5 to 6 feet | Number of resistance levels: 8
The FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro has a strong, stable frame with a rounded body so kids won't get hurt on sharp edges. You can easily adjust the bike seat up or down by pressing the pneumatic adjustment lever -- no pins or knobs. The entire bike desk comes shipped to you in five pieces, which makes setting up a breeze.
The desk measures 20 by 20 inches, so it can easily fit a laptop and notebook, and it's ergonomically designed to provide a comfortable work experience. You can adjust the desk height with a lever and move the entire machine from location to location quickly on easy-move rollers. The pedals are easy to access and marketed as silent, so you won't be distracted by squeaky gears.
Overall, the FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro is an elegant bike desk with a scratch-resistant exterior and user-friendly design.
- Drawer and cupholder built into desk
- Foldable
- Bluetooth option
- Heart rate monitor
- Small desk surface
- Heavy
Tech specs: Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Dimensions: 45.3 x 25 x 51.3 inches | Item weight: 71 oounds | Height range: 5 to 6 feet | Number of resistance levels: 8
The Exerpeutic Exerwork 1000 features a sliding desk that can move forward, back, up, and down, as well as tilt at 0, 16, and 33 degrees. The desk measures 24 by 16 inches, and it's an excellent bike desk for apartments, because it can be folded and stored in approximately 2 square feet.
The entire bike desk weighs 71 pounds, but there are built-in wheels to help you move it. Plus, the added weight makes the machine feel more stable while you cycle.The great thing about the Exerwork is that it has pulse sensors to monitor your heart rate throughout your workout. (Ever wondered if your pulse spikes when you get an email from your boss? Now's the time to find out!)
The heart rate monitor ensures you work out safely, and you can track your workouts on the MyCloudFitness app if you upgrade to the Bluetooth-capable version.
- Leather seat
- Adjustable seat and desk height
- Silent
- Foldable
- No pedal straps
- Desk cannot be extended
- No back support
Tech specs: Weight capacity: 285 pounds | Dimensions: 30 x 20 x 50 inches | Item weight: 51 pounds | Height range: 5 to 6.5 feet | Number of resistance levels: 8
The Fit Right bike desk is similar to FlexiSpot, but priced at $200 less. The foldable bike desk has a stable base with transportation wheels, so you can easily store it. Once folded, it only takes up 30 by 7 inches, and it comes partially assembled in the box, so setup is as hassle-free as possible.
The desk has a cupholder and enough space for a small laptop. If you have a larger machine or need more space, the desk may be too small for you. Both the desk and the seat are adjustable with a range of approximately 10 inches each.
The LCD monitor tracks it all, so you can measure your biking performance over time and in terms of speed, distance, and calories burned. The leather seat allows you to work and workout comfortably, and a silent gear belt ensures you won't get distracted.
- Built-in storage tray
- Massage bar for arm support
- Resistance bands included
- Small desk area
- No foot straps
- Assembly required
Tech specs: Weight capacity: 300 pounds | Dimensions: 28 x 16 x 45 inches | Item weight: 45 pounds | Height range: 4.8 to 6.5 feet | Number of resistance levels: 8
The possibilities abound with a FitDesk 3.0. It has a massage bar built-in for your arms and comes with resistance bands so you can do an upper body workout while cycling. The machine is marketed as quiet and reliable, so you won't be bothered by squeaky gears. If you like listening to music, you can store your earphones in the desk's storage tray, which doubles as support for a tablet or small computer.
The desk has a non-slip, soft-grip surface and measures 16 by 19 inches. It allows you to read, watch a tutorial, or get some work done, with the option to be hands-free. The compact machine is relatively light and foldable, and it's made of aluminum and steel instead of plastic.
The bike features eight resistance levels, so you can adjust your workout to suit your physical limitations and comfort. The beach cruiser seat is adjustable and the built-in performance meter tracks your cycling mileage, calories burned, and distance.
- LCD screen
- Fitbit compatible
- Can fit under desks as low as 27 inches
- High weight capacity
- Lacks structural stability of larger options
- Height range not specified
Tech specs: Weight capacity: 500 pounds | Dimensions: 24 x 20 x 10 inches | Item weight: 23 pounds | Number of resistance levels: 8
If you want to BYOD (bring your own desk), then DeskCycle is perfect for you. DeskCycle's bike pedal exerciser fits under desks as low as 27 inches, and it doesn't have a desk included. It's discreet, transportable, and Fitbit compatible. The LCD screen displaces your speed, time, distance, and calories burned for up to 16.5 hours at a time.
The pedaler itself is marketed as quiet and smooth with a magnetic precision flywheel, so you can bike while on a Zoom call. It can support up to 500 pounds and has eight different intensity levels ranging from warm-up to muscular toning. The machine is lightweight at only 23 pounds, and it has adjustable straps to secure your feet in place. However, the structural stability of the machine might not be the same as that of a full-fledged bike desk.
What is the best bike desk?
Price, weight capacity, and machine weight are important factors to consider when browsing for the best bike desk. Here's how the top five bike desk compare, but don't forget about bonus features, like resistance bands, pulse sensors, and Bluetooth compatibility, either.
Best bike desk | Price | Weight Capacity | Item Weight |
FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro | $410 | 300 pounds | 51 pounds |
Exerpeutic Exerwork 1000 | $262 | 300 pounds | 71 pounds |
FIt Right Bike Desk | $200 | 285 pounds | 51 pounds |
FitDesk Bike 3.0 | $300 | 300 pounds | 45 pounds |
DeskCycle Under Desk | $179 | 500 pounds | 23 pounds |
Which is the right bike desk for you?
Each bike desk has a different value proposition that can help you choose one over another. Aside from price, weight capacity, and portability, we've analyze unique features of the best bike desks. Consider the following decision tree and your priorities when choosing the best bike desk for you.
Choose this bike desk... | Ifyou want... |
FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro | A sturdy bike desk with an ergonomic design and easy assembly |
Exerpeutic Exerwork 1000 | Pulse sensors, a sliding desk, and Bluetooth metric tracking |
FIt Right Bike Desk | A comfortable, silent experience for less than $250. |
FitDesk Bike 3.0 | Full body workouts with resistance bands and an arm massage bar |
DeskCycle Under Desk | To add a bike under a desk you already own |
How did we choose these bike desks?
I'm a remote worker who likes being active and staying fit, and I know other people must be in the same boat. I read about how Hootsuite remodeled the Vancouver office and incorporated bike desks and treadmill desks into the design. I figured the same could be replicated for remote workers.
When I began researching the best bike desks, having ample desk space and a quiet biking experience were at the top of my priority list. I approached products as a customer, not just someone with a cursory interest. I researched the best bikes and found some great options to help others incorporate activity seamlessly into their work schedule.
After hours of poring over specs and reviews, I found the top five bike desks so we can all prioritize activity and make sure professional success doesn't come at the expense of physical health. Bike desks are one means to that end.
What is a bike desk?
A bike desk has a cycling component and a desk component that are oftentimes connected on one machine, or broken apart for customizability. You can also easily add a DeskCycle under your current desk, and voila! Your own bike desk. If you wanted a unified machine, you should go for another option on this list.
What are the benefits of desk bikes?
Biking is aerobic exercise that benefits your heart, blood vessels, and lungs. It can be great for improving your overall fitness. Regular physical activity has been linked to lower stress and body fat levels. A bike desk takes a sedentary work day and spins it into something physically productive.
Are there alternative bike desks worth considering?
Of course. Here are some alternatives from a different retailer.