FitDesk: A Gentle Way to Keep Moving as We Age

When I heard the talk about the effects prolonged sitting has on our health, I looked for ideas to increase the time I spend moving every day. But who knew there were so many products to keep you from sitting too long? Standing desks, treadmill desks, bicycle desks, and under desk peddlers just to name a few. I finally settled on the FitDesk.

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The FitDesk was less expensive compared to some of the other options. And I also liked the idea that you can use it as a standing desk or as a cycling desk. (I barely entertained the idea of a treadmill desk; I’ll leave that to the younger, more coordinated sitters!)

What is a FitDesk?

The FitDesk is a combination sit-stand-pedal desk that lets users work in either a sitting/pedaling or standing position. It looks like a traditional exercise bike, except that where the handle bars normally would be is a flat desk-like surface, slightly tilted toward you.

The surface of the desk part is non-slippery and can hold your phone, tablet, laptop, or a even a book. The FitDesk lets you to keep moving while you work online, surf, or watch a movie.

Work Out While You Work

Working on the FitDesk might sound like it takes a lot of coordination, but once you get the hang of it, it really isn’t too bad. It allows for the easy transition from sitting to standing and back again, which helps avoid the hazards of prolonged periods of sitting. You get to work your legs through pedaling and work your upper body with a set of resistance bands located under the bike seat.

All that movement helps burn calories and the multitasking saves time. With the FitDesk I don’t have to take breaks to get up and walk around as often. Now I can be in continuous, low-impact movement even while I’m sitting. And resistance bands attached under the seat of the FitDesk let you exercise your arms as well as your legs.

Features of the FitDesk

The Fit Desk arrived packed tightly into a big, heavy box. You might need help getting it inside, or just slide it across the carpet like I did. The Fit Desk comes with its own tools and fasteners, and includes a decent Instruction Manual.

The FitDesk features a compact steel frame that comes preassembled, thankfully. It also includes an adjustable seat and backrest, slip-resistant desk surface, eight-level pedal resistance, a meter readout (mileage, calories, and exercise time), and wheels for easy moving.

Unassembled Fit Desk — The FitDesk unboxed

The Desk Platform

This lightweight folding exercise bike/workstation features a 16” x 19” somewhat adjustable (sliding) desk platform to hold your work essentials. Underneath the platform is a small storage tray large enough to hold a few small items. The slip-resistant desk surface helps keep your devices from moving around while you work.

A position-adjustable forearm support extending out from the platform desk surface doubles as a knobby massage bar. Roll your arms across the massage bar for a quick relaxing arm massage while you work.

A digital cycling meter attaches to the desk, so if you like to track your progress you will have lots of information at the press of a button. The meter tracks mileage, calories, and exercise time. I actually left off the meter as I’m not a numbers tracker. But if you are a numbers tracker, the monitor sits directly in front of you with big, easy to press buttons.

UPDATE: The newer FitDesk models add a lift-up compartment accessed through the top of the desk platform. The lift-up lid doubles as a tilt-top tablet/phone holder. FitDesk has also added optional desk extenders that widen the desk surface area while providing a cup holder as well.

Nice additions; I may update my older model just for the desk extensions.

The FitDesk Frame

The white powder-coated steel frame of the Fit Desk gives a solid base to a host of features, including a tension control knob, seat adjustment, a beach cruiser style seat, resistance arm exercise bands, a built-in arm massager, and more.

An adjustable eight-level resistance knob gives you control of how much tension you want. I like to set it to a lighter workout just to keep moving while I am working on more intensive material and then increase the resistance while just surfing or watching movies.

The FitDesk takes up a relatively small amount of space, considering it combines your desk and an exercise space into a 28” Long x 16” Wide x 45”High space.

On either side of the bottom of the rear of the frame are wheels. You can tip the bike desk backwards onto its wheels to move it around.

The FitDesk Seat

The frame sports a beach cruiser style seat and is wide enough to accommodate. I added a Bikeroo padded seat cover for some extra cushion. The padded seat back provides a thick cushion for added security and comfort.

An easy-to-pull adjuster knob lets you change the seat height if you will be sharing with another family member, roommate, or co-worker.

Fit Desk also has an option to add a height extender for longer legged users. I haven’t used that as I was able to find a comfortable height with the default frame height.

Pulling out a knob on the back of the seat post allows you to “fold” the FitDesk to a more compact version of itself. Folding from front to back, it decreases in length and increases a few inches in height, compacting it into a smaller footprint.

I really haven’t used that feature often, since it already doesn’t take up that much space when fully extended.

Weight Limit for the FitDesk

The weight limit for the FitDesk is stated from the manufacturer as 300 pounds. I haven’t tested that out as I’m about 125 pounds. It feels steady to me.

Is the FitDesk Noisy?

The FitDesk is quiet/silent and does not vibrate. So if you have a downstairs neighbor, you won’t disturb them.

Updated FitDesk Without the Platform Desk

I notice that FitDesk makes a Bike Desk without the Platform Desk attached.

This might be great for someone who works at a desktop PC. I’m considering adding this model for my desktop PC.