Yes, You Can Get a ‘Real’ Workout Using This Bicycle Desk

As someone who works from home full time—read: my commute consists of moving from my bed to my couch—finding ways to move my body can be challenging. The past year, I’ve really noticed the toll such a sedentary lifestyle has taken on my body. Despite attempting to go for a walk most mornings, I’d find my upper neck and back area were constantly tight, my lower back would ache, and I’d even started getting occasional migraine attacks.

When I checked in with my doctor, the answer was obvious: Staying hunched over a laptop seven to eight hours a day isn’t good for anyone, and she suggested I try to incorporate more movement as I worked. Enter FlexiSpot’s Deskcise V9 Pro ($500, amazon.com), essentially a desk-bike hybrid that also works as a standing desk, so you can get your blood moving while you Slack, Zoom, and email.

I definitely had my doubts. How easy would it be to ride and type at the same time? Would I be able to work up a sweat? How long could I sit on it comfortably for? Would this just be another massive piece of equipment that takes up precious floor space in my home?

I’m actually writing this story as I ride my new favorite work-from-home accessory, so you can guess how all my fears panned out. Now I can’t imagine life without it. Here’s why I recommend the Deskcise V9 Pro to all my fellow WFH colleagues.

The setup

When the gigantic box arrived at my door, I had a moment of panic: It was the size of a small pony—how many pieces were inside?! Would I have to clear my entire weekend to put this thing together? But the setup turned out to be ridiculously simple—the whole process took less than five minutes from start to finish.

The V9 Pro comes almost fully pre-assembled. You only have to attach the desktop to the bike frame by sliding it into the designated slot. You’ll also have to track down two AA batteries for the display (so if you want to use your new desk right away, have them ready ahead of time).

After that, it’s just a matter of adjusting the seat and desk height to suit your body, and you’re ready to go.

The design

Like everything else about the Deskcise Pro V9, its design is pleasantly simple and minimalist. I have the white version, which blends in seamlessly with the rest of my home. I’m also a big fan of the wheels (which also have the option to lock) on the bottom because they make it easy to move the desk around from room to room.

Even the display is straightforward—it tracks things like your time, distance, calories burned, and speed (among others). Want to adjust the flywheel’s resistance as you work? You can choose from eight different levels and ramp things up or cool ’em down with the turn of a knob.

Both the desktop and chair height are adjustable via an easy-to-use lever, and the desktop also moves forward and back for a more comfortable experience. A padded cushion helps keep your wrists in a neutral position—something I personally love, because I deal with occasional carpal tunnel symptoms (but, as always, consult with a medical professional instead of taking my word for it).

In between the seat and the display, there’s also a textured cup holder for drinks. While convenient, be warned: I’ve knocked over multiple coffees while getting on the bike and have now learned to place beverages in the holder after I’ve already settled into the seat.

The footprint

Also surprising: how compact the entire unit is. Like many people, I invested in a Peloton bike during the pandemic, so I was expecting the Deskcise to be a similar size. According to the brand, it measures 37.6 inches long, 22.8 inches wide, and 42.5 to 48.4 inches high (depending on how you adjust the desktop). It also weighs 51 pounds. My Peloton is significantly heavier and longer.

The wheels even tuck underneath the Deskcise to create even more floor space if needed. It’s so slim that I can roll it into my coat closet to keep it out of sight when guests come over. (That said, the compactness is relative to your space: Make sure to measure before buying and take note of the Deskcise’s dimensions.)

How it works

The first thing I noticed was that typing while cycling is much easier than it sounds. The Deskcise’s pedals turn smoothly and quietly—plus, the machine is fairly sturdy, so there was zero wobble as I was working away.

For reference, I’m five feet two and find it extremely comfortable to bike and type at the same time. My husband, who’s six feet four, was able to easily adjust the Deskcise’s height and raved about a similarly smooth work-ride session.

The desktop is well-sized at 20 by 22 inches. It fits my 13-inch laptop, a water bottle, and my notebook and pen. Once I get all my essentials in order, I normally start at resistance level -1, which feels effortless. On this setting or level 2, I’ve been averaging 40 to 50 minutes per ride—which may sound like a lot, but somehow the time just flies by. And even without a ton of resistance, I’m always sweating by the end of a ride.

If I’m feeling particularly ambitious, or doing more mindless tasks like checking emails, I’ll twist the knob up to really feel the burn in my lower body. (The higher levels offer a true leg workout!) Other days, I find myself doing multiple shorter, easier 30-minute rides instead.When I’m not cycling, I often find myself using the Deskcise as a standing desk.

The benefits

“The big positive for having a desk bike is that you can get some exercise during your workday,” says Lauren Brizendine, MPH, CPE, director of ergonomics at Fit for Work.

After the first few days of using the Deskcise, my legs were definitely sore. Even more satisfying, I was finally able to close all my Apple Watch rings every day (IYKYK). My total activity minutes have increased significantly, per doctor’s orders. I’ve also found that my neck and shoulders aren’t as tight as they used to be—and I may be imagining it, but my legs already feel stronger.

One benefit I hadn’t anticipated was my increased productivity. Before, if I was just sitting at the counter working, I’d get distracted by small things like refilling my coffee or looking for that one pen I wanted. When I’m on the Deskcise, it’s too much of a hassle to get off the bike and I don’t want my time counter to stop, so I stay laser focused on my laptop instead. Now, my go-to “hack” is to hop on when there’s a certain project I’m not looking forward to tackling—I find I dive in quickly and more easily if I’m pedaling.

It’s also been amazing at combating the dreaded 2 p.m. post-lunch slump. Now I just climb astride the Deskcise and ride my way through the energy crash for 20 minutes or so.

While it’s great for quick brainstorming sessions, the Deskcise isn’t meant to be a replacement for your usual desk, according to Brizendine. “The seat does not provide adequate support for long periods of use, as it pushes your body into a forward position. Leaning forward in a seated position places stress on the discs of the low back and can cause low back pain,” she says. With this in mind, I’ll stick to using it two to three times throughout the work day for shorter periods when I really need a boost.

Bottom line

FlexiSpot’s Deskcise Pro V9 is an excellent investment for people who work from home on a computer all day long and want to get moving while also getting work done. If you find it difficult to squeeze in a workout, this multitasking bike-desk could really improve your 9-to-5, like it has mine.

Since using it, combined with other daily movements like walks, I’ve been successfully able to hit—and exceed—my 150 minutes of exercise goal each week. Between the increased activity and better productivity, this desk bike has become a total WFH savior in my book.

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