Sitting in front of your desk for a long duration, working all through sure comes with many problems. The inactivity leads to many health and mobility issues, especially for the senior folks, thereby making the best mini exercise bike an important gadget.
Pedal exercisers are the mini exercise bike you can easily place under your working desk to keep your legs active while you work to mitigate the negative effect of sedentary life posed to you from the nature of your job.
Furthermore, the best mini exercise bike is very useful for people living in a small apartment. Pedal exercisers are compact in size, so it is easier and more convenient for such people to keep in their apartment without having to sacrifice much space for their new gadget.
Whatever reason to get an under-desk mini exercise bike, it is essential to know what to look out for and select the best that will serve its purpose perfectly. This is a complete buyers’ guide as we review some of the best mini exercise bike and some important information on it.
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What is the best mini exercise bike?
DeskCycle Under Desk Cycle, Pedal Exerciser – Stationary Mini Exercise Bike
Quick List of the Top 10 Best Mini Exercise Bike
#1. DeskCycle Under Desk Cycle
#2. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B0418 Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike
#3. MagneTrainer-ER Mini Exercise Bike Arm and Leg Exerciser
#4. Exerpeutic Motorized Leg and Arm Pedal Exerciser Mini Exercise Bike
#5. Hausse Portable Exercise Pedal Bike
#6. Platinum Fitness Fit Sit Deluxe Folding Pedal Exerciser
#7. Vaunn Medical Chrome Frame Pedal Exerciser
#8. Drive Medical Deluxe Folding Exercise Peddler
#9. Vive Pedal Exerciser – Stationary Exercise Leg Peddler
#10. DECELI Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser – Portable Mini Exercise Bike
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Why do you need the Best Pedal Exerciser?
Cardio exercise has proven to be beneficial to keeping the heart healthy and pedal exerciser provides an easy form of cardio workouts. Also, due to the lack of mobility due to desk job or aging, the use of pedal exerciser will greatly help to improve mobility and stay fit.
Pedal exerciser also helps the user to engage in indoor cycling from anywhere around the home and any time. Furthermore, mini exerciser helps to strengthen the lower body like the hamstring, quads, calves, and hips. It is also versatile and can be used to target and strengthen the upper body region. To use for this purpose, you only need to pedal with your arms instead of the feet.
Therefore, a mini exercise bike is a useful cardio workout tool for both lower and upper body workout as it also helps strengthen the bicep, triceps, shoulders, and forearms.
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Benefits of Using a Pedal Exerciser
The most important benefit of using an under-desk exerciser its ability to constantly get the inactive people active, especially the elders who find it difficult to move from one place to the other. Apart from getting you active all time, it is also a good one to get your heart pumping for better health.
Pedal exerciser like other exercise bike helps to burn calories, though it might not be as effective as recumbent and upright exercise bike in calories burning. However, to a reasonable extent, it does help to burn calories.
Other Benefits Include:
- It is low impact, therefore has little or no injury risk
- Mini exercise bikes are cheaper compared to full upright and recumbent stationary bikes
- It promotes healthy living
- It strengthens the upper and lower body.
Top 10 Review of the Best Mini Exercise Bike for Home & Office Use
#1. DeskCycle Under Desk Cycle
Specifications
- 8-resistance level
- 5 FUNCTION LCD DISPLAY – shows speed, time, distance, calories and scan
- Bi-directional stride motion
- Adjustable Velcro straps
- Item’s weight: 23 pounds
- Dimension: 24 x 20 x 10 inches.
This is definitely one of the best mini exercise bikes you will most likely see in every store as it has become the best choice for users. It is a portable exercise bike that will easily fit under the desk for both home use and office use. Its quiet operation makes it suitable for office use as it won’t make any disturbing sound while in use.
DeskCycle Under Desk Cycle is strong and sturdy in construction with a height that can fit under the desk as low as 27inches. It is very portable and easy to store. One of the best pedal exerciser for folks who stay in a small apartment and space is a bigger concern for.
The mini stationary bike has wide pedals and straps that hold the feet in place during cycling. This enhances the comfort and convenience of the user and also ensures safety while in use. Its 8-level calibrated resistances ensure workout difficulty can be customized to your need per time.
Furthermore, the mini bike operates quietly no matter the level of resistance in use. Its magnetic precision flywheel ensures this discreet performance. It is a good one to use anywhere at any time especially for people with sedentary lifestyles.
Pros
- Low Pedal suitable for short and tall desks
- Complete silent operation at all levels
- Adjustable resistance
- Great for both home and office use
- Portable for easy storage
- Great for burning calories
Cons
- It is a little heavy
- A bit costlier than others
#2. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B0418 Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike
Specifications
- 8 Levels of tension
- Supports 220 lbs. maximum user weight limit.
- Product dimensions: 22L X 18W X 14.75H inches.
- Product Weight: 21 lbs.
This could have occupied our number one spot and it will still be worth the hype. It is, without doubt, one of the best mini exercise bikes you can get for yourself or as a gift to loved ones. You can also easily use it both in the office or at home as it will only take limited space due to its portability.
On Amazon, it has been reviewed by thousands of previous buyers and every comment is encouraging to choose the product with great assurance. It is a good one for those who wish to burn calories but have limited space at home and people who live a sedentary life.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B0418 Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike has large pedals with adjustable straps to hold the feet in position during pedaling. This ensures the comfort and convenience of the user. The bike is also strong and sturdy in construction; it will not wobble while in use and that is a good one for comfort and safety.
The bike can be used for both upper and lower body workout and that makes it useful at burning more calories. It also comes with an LCD screen to monitor speed, distance, calories, time, and odometer. Its resistance level can be adjusted to help you customize your workout intensity. It’s one of the best pedal exercisers.
Pros
- Readily affordable
- Beautiful design and sturdy construction
- Adjustable foot straps
- Quiet operation
- Portable for both home and office use
- It can also be used as arm exerciser when placed on the desk
Cons
- Not enough clearance of the pedal
- Most users complain about its pedal being unstable and falling off.
#3. MagneTrainer-ER Mini Exercise Bike Arm and Leg Exerciser
Features
- 15-inch wide base
- Adjustable Velcro straps on pedals
- Wide range resistance
- Electronic displace that Runs on single AA Battery
- Item’s dimension: 16 x 9 x 16 inches
- Product’s weight: 23 pounds
This is one of the most compact mini exercise bike and pedal exerciser you can choose if space is your concern. The product is 15-inches wide in base with a sturdy steel frame that won’t wobble or cause discomfort during its use. It is one of the best pedal exerciser, suitable for elliptical and upper body workout.
Due to its height, it might not be suitable for short desks. However, it is a great fit for sofa and ergonomic office chair, so, it can be used almost anywhere at any time, while watching TV, reading a book, playing games, talking on the phone, and your legs are free.
MagneTrainer-ER Mini Exercise Bike Arm and Leg Exerciser have a very quiet operation and that makes it useful at work as it won’t disturb other coworkers. Unlike other mini exercise bikes with 8-level resistance, this product has a wide range of resistance levels which allows you to set to any value.
You will also get a 1-year warranty and 30 days money-back guarantee top give you buying confidence. Its pedals are wide with adjustable straps to hold the feet in place during your workout session for better comfort. It is also bi-directional and can be pedaled forward and backward.
Pros
- Pedal exerciser for lower and upper body workout
- Wide range resistance set
- Light in weight but sturdy for stability and safety
- 1-year full warranty and 1-month money-back guarantee
- LCD to displays your speed, time, distance, and calories.
Cons
- It’s a bit pricey
- Unsuitable for short desk
#4. Exerpeutic Motorized Leg and Arm Pedal Exerciser Mini Exercise Bike
Features
- Operate on standard 120 V and power consumption is 6.5 W
- Product Dimensions: 16” L x 16” W x 13” H
- Product Weight: 12.5 lbs.
- Bi-directional pedal movement
- Auto 15 minutes timer session when power is on
- BONUS Non-skid floor mat included
It is one of the most purchased pedal exercisers with many positive reviews from previous buyers. The Exerpeutic Motorized Leg and Arm Exercise Bike is one of the best mini exercise bikes to keep you active and fit, especially for folks who have little or no time for exercise.
For stability, the exerciser has additional non-skid mat which helps prevent unstable movement while in use. It has a DC motor drive system that enhances quiet workout. When the motor is turned off, it has higher resistance for more workout intensity.
The exercise bike operates on standard 120 V and power consumption is 6.5 Watt. Its LCD screen allows you to track variables like speed, distance, time, and calories. The pedal will also work for both arm and feet for upper and lower body workout, all at the comfort of your sitting position.
It comes completely assembled and will not require any assembly when purchased. The exerciser is more recommended for the elderly with light exercise to improve blood circulation. For younger folks, the DC motor should be turned off to get a higher resistance level.
Pros
- Motor assisted cycle for effortless movement
- The pedal is bi-directional and works for arms and legs
- Built-in carry handle for easy portability
- Adjustable speed motor that offers a low impact workout that’s easy on the joints
Con
- Straps are adjustable but too small
#5. Hausse Portable Exercise Pedal Bike
Features
- Product Dimensions: 13.7″ x 15.7″ x 11.6″.
- Adjustable tension knob
- An extra strap for securing the exerciser in place
This exercise bike is just like your regular exercise bike you will really enjoy. It will deliver basic fitness to the user and strengthen both the upper and lower body region. It is a good choice for home and office use and portable to fit under desks and other tight spaces.
Hausse Portable Exercise Pedal Bike comes with adjustable straps on its pedals to accommodate different feet size. It is very stable and robust in construction. The foot is made with plastic foot rocker that stays fit on the floor without wobbling.
The exercise bike is small and portable and this will make it a good choice for a small apartment, office use, and under the desk. It has a handle that makes it easy to transport from one place to the other. Adjustable knob ensures you can customize your workout difficulty.
Its LCD screen is powered with AA battery and it displays the time, distance, speed, and calories for effective workout tracking. You cannot use it with a short desk; the desk must have a minimum of 48-inches height for effectiveness.
Pros
- Adjustable straps to accommodate different foot sizes
- Portable with handles for easy transport
- Multifunction LCD monitor display
- Adjustable resistance for customizing workout intensity
- Bi-directional pedal movement
- Easily affordable
Cons
- Not suitable for a short desk
#6. Platinum Fitness Fit Sit Deluxe Folding Pedal Exerciser
Specifications
- Five function LCD readout
- Product’s weight: 6.9 pounds
- 1 AAA batteries required
The pedal exerciser has a foldable feature as an additional feature added to its portability and that makes it easy for the user to fold, store and carry it along a journey or to the office. By this, you get the opportunity to ride the bike anywhere and anytime to always keep you active and fit.
Platinum Fitness Fit Sit Deluxe Folding Pedal Exerciser is made with five different color finishing: green, purple, orange, pink, and blue to allow you to select based on your color preference. Its LCD can easily display exercise time, revolution count, revolutions per minute, and calories burned to help track your workout progress.
Stability is important for safety and comfort. The ability to stay in one place during usage is vital and that is made possible through its additional anchor straps which helps hold the pedal exerciser in place to prevent wobbling. It also has a tension knob located at the top of the device to help you adjust resistance and set your workout difficulty.
The pedal exerciser is a good one for both the upper and lower body workout. It is very affordable and doesn’t compromise quality, even though it has some flaws, we can still count it among the best mini exercise bike for home and office use.
Pros
- The metal frame is very sturdy with limited plastic
- It folds easily and very easy to store
- It is portable and will fit perfectly under the desk
- Adjustable tension knob for a customized workout
Cons
- It is too small in size, light in weight, and at times unstable even with the additional straps.
- The adjustable straps re small for big feet
- It makes little noise.
#7. Vaunn Medical Chrome Frame Pedal Exerciser
Features
- Heavy-duty steel frame construction
- Non-skid ribbed rubber platform
- Dimension: 15.75″(W) x 21″(D) x 11.75″(H).
- Weighs less than 5 pounds
This is a very simple mini exercise bike but very effective to keep you active all day long. We recommend this product if you are on a budget and need something to only keep you active and fit. Its frame is made with heavy-duty steel that offers ultimate stability and durability.
The pedal exerciser can be used for arm exerciser in addition to its elliptical use. It provides gentle, low impact exercise for arm and leg muscle toning. The mini exercise bike helps improve blood circulation, increase activeness for people living a sedentary lifestyle, and help users stay fit always.
Vaunn Medical Chrome Frame Pedal Exerciser does not have all the fancy features compared to other expensive exercise bikes. It however has the most important features like an adjustable tension to customize your workout difficulty, non-skid rubber tip to ensure unstable movement during usage.
It does not have an LCD screen, so it might be impossible to track features like speed, distance, calories burnt, and other important features. The bike also works quietly without disturbing people around you, you can also lubricate to improve effectiveness.
Pros
- It is affordable
- Non-skid rubber feet prevent wobbling
- Heavy-duty frame for stability and durability
- It can be used for arm and leg muscle toning
Con
- No LCD screen
- Pedal straps are not adjustable.
#8. Drive Medical Deluxe Folding Exercise Peddler
Specifications
- Folded Dimensions: 12.5″ x 14.7″ x 6.5″
- Four anti-slip rubber pads
- Foldable design
- LCD displays Five function
- Metal frame construction
It is also a foldable mini pedal exerciser, very portable and easy to carry from one place to the other. You should also think about this product when you want to travel as it is a good one that will easily fit into your travel luggage. It is one of the best and cheapest you will find out there if the price is your utmost concern.
Drive Medical Deluxe Folding Exercise Peddler comes folded and assembled, so it doesn’t require any expertise to put it together. It is light in weight and a little unstable due to its lightness, even though, it has four anti-slip rubber pads to prevent sliding and protect surfaces.
The LCD screen powered by a battery helps the user track your workout speed, distance, exercise time, revolution count, and calories burned. Its resistance can be easily adjusted through tension knobs to customize your workout tension and it can be used for leg and arm muscle exercising.
Overall, it is a good product for the price and one of the best mini exercise bikes. We, however, encourage you to select other costly products if you can afford them.
Pros
- Usable for arms and legs toning
- It is foldable for easy transport
- It is compact in size and fit under the desk
- LCD screen included.
Con
- Too light in weight and might be unstable.
- It doesn’t give a good range of adjustable resistance.
#9. Vive Pedal Exerciser – Stationary Exercise Leg Peddler
Specifications
- It is 12.5 inches high
- Lightweight and portable
- Rubber tip for stability
- LCD screen displace workout variables
- Adjustable resistance knob
Vive pedal exerciser has to make the list of the best mini exerciser. Its durability, stability, convenience of usage, and other great qualities have made the product one of the most purchased among its peers. It is sturdy and stands perfectly on the floor for the safety and convenience of the user.
You can connect Vive Pedal Exerciser – Stationary Exercise Leg Peddler with Vive Fit App. The app contains many fitness videos and tracking software to monitor your progress. The mini exercise bike is just 12.5 inches high; therefore, it will fit under the desk. It is a great choice for both home and office use.
For added comfort and safety of the user, the pedal is made with non-slip surfaces with adjustable straps around the pedal. The foot of the bike is also made with non-slip rubber to prevent wobbling and instability. Furthermore, you can customize workout intensity through its resistance knob.
Many previous users have found it to be useful for them, thereby gave many positive feedbacks from their experience. It is one of the best mini exercise bikes and we recommend the product.
Pros
- The LCD screen gives access to monitor workout variables
- Anti-slip pedal and adjustable straps to ensure your feet stay in place while pedaling
- It can be used for upper and lower body workout
- Quiet operation to avoid distracting others
Con
- Wear socks or shoes to prevent the pedal from hurting your feet.
#10. DECELI Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser – Portable Mini Exercise Bike
Features
- Weight capacity: 220lbs
- Product’s weight: 5lbs
- Product’s dimension: 13.7″ x 15.7″ x 11.6″
- The power supply of LED display: 1 AAA battery (NOT INCLUDED)
Lastly on our list of the best mini exercise bike, we have this amazing product you should also consider when you are hunting for the best pedal exerciser. It is portable, easy to store, and also has a handle for easy transport from one place to the other.
DECELI Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser comes with an extra strap for securing the bike in place when in use. This combines with anti-slip rubber pads help to prevent instability and wobbling.
Its pedal is ergonomically designed for comfortable grasp by hand for arm exercise and adjustable straps to accommodate feet of different sizes. It is versatile, so, it can easily convert for both arm and leg exercises.
Pros
- Adjustable resistance for workout intensity adjustment
- Portable and easy to store
- LCD screen to access workout time, speed, distance, RPM and calories burnt
- Ergonomic pedal for arm and leg exercise
- Anti-rubber feet with an extra strap for stability
How to Select the Best Pedal Exerciser: Factors to Consider Before Buying Mini Exercise Bike
There are several factors that make a pedal exerciser a good one. These factors are vital to selecting the best under table exercise bike whether you are buying online or in a physical store. Below are some of the things to consider before selecting a pedal exerciser.
1. Size/Portability
All mini exercise bikes are small in size and that is why they are great choices for people with small apartments. However, there are different brands and sizes available to choose and you need to check the size before selecting the pedal exerciser.
Since there are different sizes, it is essential you check the space available around your home before selecting a size. This will even determine how easy you store them when not in use. The size will also determine if they can fit under your desk perfectly.
2. Safety and Stability
To consider a pedal exerciser as safe, it must be stable. Pedal exercisers are stationary bike and they need to be sturdy and stay in one place during usage. The exercise bike needs to stay fit on the floor without unnecessary movement or wobbling when in use.
The safety feature also has to do with the lock system. Do not forget this will be used at home where there are children around. Can it be locked to prevent children from playing with it to enhance safety? This is essential and should be considered before selecting a pedal exerciser.
It must also include safety instructions to give specific safety warnings to the buyers. This will also come handy in ensuring the safety of the bike.
3. Adjustable Resistance
Every exercise bike comes with resistance, it does not matter who the user is going to be either young or senior. Through adjustable resistance, it will be easier to set the difficulty of the workout to your best need per time.
Since all exercise bikes will have resistance including mini under desk exercise bike, then easily adjustable resistance is a good factor to consider before selecting the mini pedal exerciser. This will allow you to safely choose and (or) customize your workout intensity.
4. Comfort of Usage
Two factors are important when discussing the comfort of a good mini exercise bike and we can’t talk about the best without considering these factors
- Pedal Straps: The pedal should be as wide as possible and that will make it easier to ride. However, getting a pedal exerciser with straps around the pedal will add more to the comfort of the user while pedaling. This will hold the feet in place and enhance more comfort.
- Noise Level: It is vital to check the wheel system and read other buyers’ reviews to know if there will be annoying noise while using the product. Most people use mini exercise bikes while working and noiseless bikes will be handier to helping them concentrate.
5. Price
What your budget is might depend on the exercise bike you buy. We will advise you to go for the expensive ones if you have the cash. However, there are many mini exercise bikes that still come at affordable prices. Most expensive ones do have added extra features like LCD, the ability to connect with fitness apps, and other accessories.
6. Additional Features
Some mini exercise bikes are basic while some have added features to help your fitness goals. A feature like handlebars is essential if your goal is to use for both upper and lower body workout.
You can also get some digital features to help you monitor your speed, calories burnt, distance covered, time, and more importantly track your progress.
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7. Warranty
Getting a buying assurance is essential and it will give you some confidence to buy the product with no doubt. It is essential to know that some mini exercise bikes don’t come with a warranty while some have a year’s warranty on them.
8. Previous Buyers’ Review
What previous users are saying about the product is essential and it will give you a good knowledge about what to expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do mini pedal exercisers work?
Mini exercise bikes might not be as effective to burn calories like the upright and recumbent stationary exercise bike. However, it is the best exerciser to keep the feet active. Mini exercise bikes provide exercise level similar to walking and by that provide overall fitness to the user. It is more recommended for people with a sedentary lifestyle, to keep them physically fit.
Does a pedal exerciser help lose weight?
It might not be as effective as other exercise bikes but pedal exerciser does help in losing weight. This can however depend on the frequency of usage.
Who needs a pedal exerciser?
The pedal exerciser is more recommended for those who live a sedentary lifestyle. However, it can be gotten by everyone. To stay fit, it has been proven that physical activities are essential to overall body health and fitness. Therefore, if your job requires you to sit more and you probably spend most of the day in one spot, you might want to get an exerciser you can use as you work.
A mini exercise bike is also a good gift for the seniors as they are more prone to degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. Regular exercise using a portable pedal exerciser is one of the therapies for knee osteoarthritis. Elders also tend to stay indoors more as they age. A good mini exercise bike will keep them active and physically fit, active, and healthier.
Exercising the knee also helps people with knee injuries like torn meniscus and ACL and bone-on-bone to recover very fast. People who just undergo knee replacement surgery will also benefit greatly from the use of a mini exercise bike.
Lastly, people with small apartments might want to consider mini exercise bikes. It does not take much space around the home, therefore, usage and storage are much more convenient.
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Conclusion
A mini exercise bike is also known as a pedal exerciser is a good device to keep you active and fit always. It is essential to select what you will enjoy using and last long.
Our overall best mini exercise bike is DeskCycle Under Desk Cycle. It is strong, portable, and durable and has many positive ratings from previous buyers. Though costlier, it will surely worth every penny spent on it.
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-B0418 Magnetic Mini Exercise Bike is the first runner-up. It comes with moderate price, not cheaply made, and will surely serve its purpose.