How do you stay physically fit despite countless hours at your desk? Many office workers ask themselves this question. A desk bike could be the solution.
Millions of people spend hour after hour at their desks every day. Movement is far too short. The health consequences are serious. A range of equipment is intended to remedy this: gymnastic balls, steppers and desk bikes.
The idea behind the desk bike is simple: a bicycle without handlebars that is used instead of a chair at a height-adjustable desk or bar table. Both hands remain free during use, so that work on the PC can continue. Cycling and doing routine work at the same time: The manufacturers promise that office workers should be able to incorporate the necessary portion of exercise into their everyday work.
We put this innovative seating to the test. In our text: The brand’s V9U model .
delivery and assembly
The FlexiSpot desk bike is delivered in a single large box. The package weighs around 20 kilos. So if you can’t deliver the table bike directly to your office or home office, you should consider the weight for possible transport from the post office.
The first big surprise comes when you unpack it: the bike is delivered fully assembled. The puzzling fun with building instructions, which can sometimes drive you to the brink of insanity, is fortunately omitted: no assembly or installation is necessary. Simply take it out of the box, fold out the feet and pedals and you can start cycling.
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Well thought out down to the last detail
When you step on the pedals, you immediately notice the well thought-out concept. The desk bike stands on four wheels that can rotate 360°. The desk bike can be easily moved from room to room. But once you’re on the bike, it’s rock solid. The frame is pressed down onto the rollers by a spring. Your own weight serves as a sort of brake actuation.
The corrugated surface of the pedals ensures good grip. Cycling even works barefoot in this way. The seat is height-adjustable between 108 and 123 centimetres. A special highlight: The seat can be adjusted while driving, so that you can easily find the right height.
According to the manufacturer, the desk bike is suitable for people between 155 and 190 centimeters tall and weighing up to 136 kilograms.
The resistance can be adjusted in eight levels. An LCD display shows active time, current speed, distance traveled and calories burned. The last value in particular is very rough, but gives a small clue that can be used as a basis for a more precise personal estimate.
A place to put a coffee mug or a drinking bottle is another well thought-out detail.
Conclusion on the desk bike
The FlexiSpot desk bike is a real asset for everyday use. With the V9U, long phone calls, virtual meetings and other routine work can be used to get a little exercise. Cycling not only speeds up the circulation, but also promotes concentration throughout the day. The bike is also very quiet. Neither colleagues nor the person you are talking to at the other end of the telephone line are disturbed.
The clear verdict: the price of a good 290 euros is justified. The investment is worth it and your leg muscles will thank you for a few cycling sessions.
However, this desk bike is not suitable for long periods of sitting due to the lack of a backrest. And it can only be used with a height-adjustable table, such as this (here in our test). From May 22nd to 25th it will celebrate its Brand Day – with big discounts and offers. An opportunity to snag a suitable table at a bargain price.
alternatives
The brand offers an alternative with a backrest, among others at. The so-called Ergobike is much more like an office chair that is damaged with pedals. Eight individually adjustable difficulty levels are also available here. The five 360-degree swivel casters automatically lock when seated, so the fancy seat won’t roll away while you’re working. In terms of price, however, the Ergobike is more expensive at 360 euros.
Also the has a backrest. The start-up model is known from the TV show “Die Höhle der Löwen”. The design is more solid than that of the FlexiSpot model due to a wooden frame. However, the FitSeat offers other advantages: The steep seat angle ensures a straight back. In this way, the spine is mobilized and the back muscles trained. The FitSeat 2020 is available in three different colors from 315 euros.
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
