If you’re looking for ways to introduce indoor cycling to your life, 2 extremely popular options worth considering include the under desk bike vs indoor bike. Both are outstanding pieces of equipment which enable indoor movement, so it ultimately depends on what your needs and desires are for the bike you choose.
So which bike is best for me?
The answer to this question will become crystal clear in the below article. I go through the key similarities and differences between desk cycles and stationary bikes. Plus, I have packaged them up in a neat comparison summary chart so you can determine the best bike for you with just a glance!
As is customary in all my blogs, I’ve added helpful expert tips and tricks, some of which may come as a surprise to you!
Did you know? In a 16-week study where office staff were provided with an under desk bike, 70% of participants held onto the desk bike after the study had concluded. Source
What is an under desk bike?
An under desk bike consists of two pedals attached to a small machine which allows you to pedal at a range of resistance levels. Under desk bikes are targeted at people who want to increase bodily movement by peddling while sitting. Since desk cycles lack a seat, wheels and handlebars, they are much more compact and can fit under a desk. They are also much more versatile and can be used in areas such as a desk, couch, kitchen table or worktop.
If you’re new to desk bikes, have a look at this complete guide to desk bikes for a quick introduction.
What is an indoor bike?
An indoor bike is a stationary bike which allows people to perform light to intense cycling from the comfort of their home, office or gym. They feature most of same primary features as an outdoor bike, except they lack wheels. Indoor bikes are very popular for cycling classes, which are sometimes referred to as spinning classes. Exercise bikes are ideal for low impact, high cardio workouts, particularly targeting the lower body.
There are a surprising number of overlapping factors to consider when deciding what to look for in a bike, regardless of whether it’s a desk bike or an indoor bike.
What are the similarities between under desk bikes and indoor bikes?
There are 6 primary similarities between desk cycles and exercise bikes:
- Purpose: Both allow peddling which helps to burn calories and increase activity.
- Resistance: Both allow adjustment of resistance levels.
- Monitoring: Both bikes include a display for tracking activity.
- Motion: Both allow forward and backward peddling (bidirectional peddling).
- Noise: Once properly maintained, both bikes are very quiet.
- Durability: Both should last years, and many have a minimum 1-year warranty.
Under desk bike Vs indoor bike
The below table highlights the key differences between desk peddlers and indoor bikes.
|
Feature |
Under Desk Bike |
Indoor Bike |
|
Size |
Small |
Large |
|
Workout Intensity |
Low – moderate |
Low – high |
|
Average Price |
$78.49 |
$402.49 |
|
Portability |
Excellent |
Limited |
|
Weight |
11.67 pounds |
45.82 pounds |
|
Primary purpose |
Add motion while you work at a desk |
Indoor exercise at desired intensity |
|
Usable at a desk |
Yes |
No |
|
Seat attached? |
No |
Yes |
|
Handles attached? |
No |
Yes |
|
Maintenance |
Limited |
Moderate |
Size of a bike
The average size of a desk bike is much smaller than a stationary bike. An under desk bike consumes an average 415.59 in2 space. Indoor desk bikes consume an average footprint of 2015.85 in2 space.
That’s essentially 385% more space consumed by the indoor bike.
Workout intensity of a bike
While desk cycles offer as many as 8 different resistance levels, the nature of their shape and design indicates that they are better equipped for physical therapy, light to moderate peddling and as a means to increase your blood flow and NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis).
Indoor bikes are designed with the purpose of withstanding the most rigorous of spinning classes.
All indoor exercise bikes offer varying degrees of resistance which can be either friction or magnetic resistance. The overall structure and shape of the bike enables any cycling enthusiast to peddle with extra comfort due to adjustable seats and handles.
While both desk bikes and indoor bikes will get the heart pumping, the indoor bike does a much better job of it.
Average price of a bike
The average cost of a desk cycle is $78.49, whereas an indoor bike has an average price of $402.49. Under desk bikes are the clear winner when it comes to budget-friendly bikes.
Desk bikes range in price on $29.99 to $199.99. Indoor bikes generally range from $199.99 to as much as $999.99.
The small size and amount of material required contributes to the lower price of desk cycles. With indoor bikes, seats, handles, brakes, frames and stabilizers are all pieces that add to the cost.
Portability of a bike
The average size of a desk bike is 415.59 in2 space, which makes them portable to carry from room to room or even between your home and office.
Exercise bikes consume an average space of 2015.85 in 2 space. This along with their heavy weight makes them difficult to move. While most indoor exercise bikes are equipped with wheels so they can be moved within a room or on a same level floor plan, they are not easily moved outside of a room.
So, they can’t exactly be picked up and carried upstairs or thrown into the back of your car like you can with a desk peddler.
Tip: If portability is a priority for you, watch out for a desk peddler with a carry handle for easy lifting.
Weight of a bike
The average weight of a desk bike is 11.69 pounds, whereas an indoor exercise bike weighs and average of 45.82 pounds.
Weight affects the ease at which both bikes can be moved. If an indoor bike needed to be moved upstairs for instance, it would require a 2-person lift, whereas a desk cycle can be carried in one hand with ease by the majority of people.
Since the weight of desk bikes is lighter, they are liable to slipping or moving while you’re peddling. However, most of them are equipped with non-slip stabilizers
on the base to prevent movement while you’re pedaling.
The DeskCycle product even includes a tether which is essentially a band that allows you to tie the desk bike to the chair to prevent it moving.
Alternatively, you can put a blocker in front of it or position it up against the wall while you’re peddling to prevent movement. Since indoor bikes are much heavier, they are less likely to move while you were cycling. This also makes them more stable.
Primary purpose of a bike
As has been mentioned already, the desk peddler aims to add peddling motion while you sit,
whereas an exercise bike facilitates indoor exercise at a desired intensity.
Usable at a desk
Under desk bikes lack a seat, handles and have a low base which allows them to be fitted under any desk. Indoor exercise bikes cannot fit under a desk because the handles would prohibit access to the desk.
Tip: Some indoor exercise bikes have a monitor or sometimes just a tablet stand which allows you to watch your tablet when you cycle.
Seat attached to bike
Obviously, there is no seat attached to the under desk bike. The beauty of not having a seat attached means that you are not confined to sitting on the saddle that is provided with regular bikes.
It also increases the range of areas where you can use the desk peddler.
For instance, they can be used with your existing comfortable desk chair, kitchen chair or even on a coach.
That said, if you want a desk bike with a seat attached, there are bike and chair desks bikes which are one of 3 popular styles of desk bike which allow you to sit and peddle while at a desk.
Indoor bikes have a padded seat attached. This is a usually a higher quality seat because it needs to be comfortable for supporting intense exercise.
Tip: Gel padded seats tend to be the most comfortable and supporting type of material in bike seats.
Handles attached to bike
There are no handlebars attached to the desk peddlers. This allows you to easily maneuver it around a desk, and it also makes for more compact storage. There is however a carry handle attached to some desk bikes which makes them easier to move.
All indoor exercise bikes have handles attached to support you while you spin. Handles are usually adjustable to accommodate your height and comfort levels.
Maintenance of a bike
Unlike a standard bike or indoor exercise bike, under desk peddlers and desk bikes lack brakes and most of them use a flywheel as opposed to a chain. Consequently, desk bikes require less maintenance than an indoor bike. However, that doesn’t mean they require no maintenance at all.
Both desk bikes and indoor bikes will require at least a weekly check to ensure that all components are secure and there is no wear and tear.
Since the structure of an indoor bike is larger, it will take slightly longer to inspect all the screws, nuts and bolts. Plus, the seat, handlebars and brakes will need to be routinely inspected and possibly lubricated or replaced.
Should I choose a desk bike or an indoor bike?
If you’re looking to increase movement to encourage better general health while you sit, under desk bikes are an excellent option. However, if you require a more intense workout that simulates sitting on a bike, indoor bikes would be the preferred option. Under desk bikes are designed to increase blood flow and introduce movement for people in a sedentary position, such as in an office. Desk cycles are much smaller and portable, which makes them suitable for people with limited storage space. Plus, they can be used in a range of locations, such as at a desk, on the couch or at your kitchen table. Under desk bikes are also cheaper than indoor bikes, which makes them the preferred option for people on a smaller budget. Indoor bikes are suited to people who want a bike capable of withstanding a high intensity spinning workout. Since they are stationary bikes, they will need a dedicated storage location.
If you end up deciding that you would prefer a desk bike, then there are some key differences between under desk bikes and desk bikes that will dictate how suitable it is for your needs and area.
Tip: If multiple people are sharing the desk bike, it should be wiped down after each user.
Conclusion
Stationary exercise bikes and under desk peddlers are 2 very different, yet effective means of creating an active indoor space.
Under desk bikes offer a relatively low intensity workout and are an ideal means of increasing movement while you sit.
Indoor bikes can offer the same benefits; however, they can tolerate more intense workouts. Furthermore, indoor bikes are not very portable and cannot be used in conjunction with a desk, couch or office chair.
Under desk cycles are the favored choice for those that require a compact, cost-efficient desk peddler. They also suit people who can use it at an existing chair and desk and require the unit to be portable.
Exercise bikes cannot be used beside desks, so they would not be suited to offices or those trying to work from their bike.
If you’re eager to introduce movement into your workday, study, gaming or whatever static activity you perform, then desk bikes are one of a myriad of ways to get moving.
For years, I have been actively researching numerous ways to introduce motion into my relatively static desk work, here’s are some alternatives that I’ve looked into so far in order of preference:
- Standing desk converters
- Ergonomic chairs
- Standing desks
- Kneeling chairs
- Standing desk chairs
- Anti-fatigue mats
- Balance boards
My personal favorite products so far are the Ergotron WorkFit-LX and the CoolMesh Pro Multi-Function Chair.
My aim with this website is to help you on all matters related to your home office and your work area. With that in mind, if you have any questions or comments on the above, please drop them in the box below. I’d love to hear them!