The Ultimate Guide to the Best Under Desk Ellipticals

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Written By Ryan Patton

Adventurer, Tech Geek and Lover of Productivity Hacks. 

Have you been considering buying an under desk elliptical in order to stay active and fit at a job which requires you to be sitting most of the day?

If so, we’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a list of the best under desk elliptical machines and under desk peddlers on the market along with all of the benefits that come along with using one of these incredible machines.

I know, it sounds a little wacky but once you actually sit down and try one of these out, you’ll quickly see why every office should be equipped with simple yet functional exercise machines like this.

What better way to encourage employees to keep their bodies moving during work hours than one of these handy little machines?

As many of you know, elliptical machines are great for cardiovascular exercise (according to an NIH Study) and are great for shedding extra weight.

You might often think of an elliptical as being this big, heavy machine that you can only find in your nearest gym. However, the times have changed and now you can get your hands on a much smaller, compact elliptical that you can use in your office or your home on a daily basis.

These conveniently sized elliptical machines are small enough to fit under your desk and could potentially save you a gym membership depending on your goals when it comes to a fitness regimen.

What is a Compact Elliptical?

A pedal exerciser uses a similar concept to ellipticals, it maintains the pedals to work out the lower part of your body, but it doesn’t have the upper section to allow mobility of the equipment.

Under desk ellipticals can be a great alternative for office workers, senior citizens, or even work from home moms who can’t seem to find time to exercise while juggling all of their responsibilities at home.

One of the biggest selling points for these portable ellipticals listed below is that they can be used just about anywhere, from your home to the workplace and some even can be taken along with you when you travel.

Introducing one of these portable under desk ellipticals into your daily routine will be a great way to stay active and what’s even better is that you don’t need to step away from your desk to get your steps in for the day.

Benefits of Using a Sitting Elliptical

Mini elliptical machines have numerous advantages when it comes to working out your lower body from your glutes, calves, hamstrings and even your core. As you can imagine this machine is also very beneficial for your cardio as well.

Working out and maintaining physical activity is already a great way to improve your health but also using a compact elliptical might help you out in many more ways such as:

1. Improves multitasking

Given that this is a portable device you can take it everywhere and can use it while performing another activity. These under the desk ellipticals are great for working out while actually working.

2. Portability

You can take it everywhere, and we mean everywhere. Its flexibility and size allow you to move it around as you please. Take it to the office and put it under your desk, travel with it in your backpack, or even move it around from your room to room. It is worth mentioning that it is a space saving elliptical so it won’t take up much room.

3. Improve Blood Circulation

This is great not only for people but also for seniors who like to spend their time sitting down on the couch watching television. This device could be placed at their feet so that they can engage in physical activity while relaxing at home. 

4. Help to build stamina and endurance

It provides a great workout and some of these machines have the option of adding resistance to make the exercise more difficult. The practice of this pedaling device will help you improve your endurance and build stamina. 

5. Helps with Achieving Weight Loss Goals

It is a workout after all and one that you can do sitting down wherever you are. For those people who don’t have the time, or don’t know where to start, using a mini elliptical is the way to go.

6. Keeps joints healthy

Using it maintains your fitness levels which is why building resistance and strength while using it will help you keep your joints healthy and active. 

These are just a few of the many advantages that come from using a mini elliptical.

Finding the right portable elliptical for you should be quite easy considering that there are a wide variety of options that suit just about everyone’s individual needs.

Below, you’ll find a list of the best under desk elliptical machines on the market as of right now.

Best Under Desk Ellipticals


Cubii Jr

Model: Cubii

Features:

  • Seated Under-Desk Elliptical
  • Get Fit While You Sit
  • Built-in Display Monitor
  • Whisper-Quiet
  • Adjustable Resistance 
  • Easy to Assemble – 4 screws only

Description:

This under the desk elliptical is quick and easy to assemble. It is a whisper-quiet machine with a smooth gliding motion. This device is super effective as it has a built-in display monitor that tracks real time, calories, RPM, strides, and distance. This Cubii is very easy and simple to use and for that reason, it fits into your everyday life at an office desk or home couch.

Color:  Turquoise

Advantages:

  • Low impact on joints with 8 levels of resistance to increase your activity over time.

Fitness Fully Assembled Magnetic Under Desk Elliptical – SF-E3872

Fitness Fully Assembled Magnetic Under Desk Elliptical – SF-E3872

Model: Sunny Health & Fitness

Features:

  • Fully Assembled Magnetic
  • Under Desk Elliptical
  • Digital Monitor
  • 8 Levels of Resistance
  • Compact Size
  • Belt Drive Magnetic Resistance
  • Floor Stabilizer
  • Non-Slip Pedals

Description:

This space saving exercise machine is great for different workouts at home or at your workplace. Its numerous features have led this machine to be one of the best under desk ellipticals you can find on the market. For over 18 years, Sunny Health & Fitness products have been the premier choice for millions of fitness enthusiasts around the world, and that is why this product has grown in popularity. Its numerous features are great for active training, and the fact that it is a small piece of equipment only makes it more convenient to use and move around.

Color: Gray

Advantages:

  • Track time, speed, calories, and distance using the centrally located digital monitor.
  • Build muscular endurance as you increase the levels of intensity to your workout with the 8 resistance levels.

Indoor Desk Electric Elliptical Machine Trainer

Model: FUNMILY

Features:

  • No need to install
  • Use it directly
  • Automatic (P1-P3) & Manual mode
  • Adjustable speed and direction of pedals
  • Easy-to-operate Remote
  • Multi-function LCD Monitor
  • Forward or Reverse motion
  • Textured Massage Pedals

Description:

Great indoor desk elliptical for at home or at work use. Quiet and compact to use and take everywhere you desire. Aside from the regular pedaling machines, this small elliptical has a forward or reverse motion in order to target different muscles during the workout. It is suitable for when watching tv or even under the desk while working. Its experience promises a smooth workout to maintain an active body but also provides a relaxing experience.

Color: Gray

Advantages:

  • The indoor elliptical machine uses a large-textured non-slip foot pedal for an effective exercise
  • Low-attention exercise can promote leg movement, improve blood circulation, and distract attention
  • Ideal for rehabilitation after surgery or injury
  • Pedals can move forward or backward to target different muscles
  • Use the advanced LED Built-in Display Monitor which keeps track of time, distance, scan, speed, calories burned
  • Promotes leg movement and improved circulation in a non-distracting way
  • 1 year guarantee

Desk Electric Elliptical Machine Trainer

Model: ANCHEER

Features:

  • Mini Cycle Exercise Bike for Leg Pedder
  • Portable
  • Display Monitor
  • Quiet and Compact
  • Large-textured non-slip foot pedal
  • Easy-to-operate Remote

Description:

Enjoy the convenience and comfort of indoor exercise with this compact elliptical. It’s compact and portable features allows you to use it everywhere without disturbing the people next to you. Exercise on the ANCHEER elliptical helps you burn calories, tone your body, and improve cardiovascular health.

Color: Gray/Black

Advantages:

  • Low-attention exercise can promote leg movement, improve blood circulation
  • Start planning and recording your fitness statistics by using the advanced LED Built-in Display Monitor
  • Portable and easy to move. 
  • No assembly required
  • Promotes leg movement and improved circulation

Dimensions: 18 ×14 ×10 inch


Cubii Pro

Model: Cubii

Features:

  • Seated Under-Desk Elliptical
  • Get Fit While You Sit
  • Bluetooth Enabled, Sync with Fitbit and Apple HealthKit 
  • Whisper-Quiet 
  • Adjustable Resistance 
  • Easy to Assemble

Description:

A revolutionized product on the market that has upgraded its features compared to its other products. Although this might be a pricier choice, the bluetooth characteristic has added great potential to this mini elliptical. It is a perfect home exerciser. Unlike sit and stand ellipticals, Cubii is optimized for seated use, and the low step pattern means that it’s easy to use under low desks and compact spaces.

Color: Black/White

Advantages:

  • Low impact home workout
  • The Cubii Pro syncs steps, distance, and calories burnt with iPhone and Android cellphones, Fitbit smart bands, and Apple Health Kit.

Dimensions: 22.8 x 17.2 x 9.8 inches


Stamina Inmotion Elliptical

Stamina Inmotion Elliptical

Model: Stamina

Features:

  • Portable
  • Quiet and Efficient
  • Adjustment of Tension with Monitor
  • Multiple Movement Options
  • Textured Pedals

Description:

Finding enough time to do an effective cardiovascular workout might be hard to fit in on your busy days. The sitting elliptical attempts to solve this issue by introducing to the market a funcional, small and effective machine. The Stamina InMotion E1000 Compact Strider eliminates any “reason” to procrastinate about the health of your body and mind, and helps you to get started on working out wherever you are. With its quiet feature, you don’t have to disturb the people around you and no one needs to know what you are doing.

Color: Orange/Green/Silver

Advantages:

  • This mini strider is compact and lightweight, making it easy to use and transport to any home or office space.
  • Vary the intensity of your workout by turning the adjustable dial while you stride. 
  • See your stats while exercising with the display monitor.

Dimensions: 24.5 x 17 x 11.4 inches


FitDesk Under Desk Elliptical Trainer

Model: Fit Desk

Features:

  • Lowest pedal rotation height available; only 8 inches
  • Smooth and Quiet
  • Hands Free Adjustments
  • 6-Function Display
  • Comfortable Pedals
  • Digital Meter to Track Progress
  • Wheel lock for rolling chairs
  • Heavy flywheel for unmatched performance

Description:

The FitDesk Under Desk Elliptical is a great way to be working out at home and even at the office. This small elliptical uses a fluid, natural forward and backward elliptical motion, similar to the motion found in larger elliptical machines. It is a great machine to use while sitting, therefore you can use it wherever you go. The FitDesk Under Desk Elliptical creates a smooth motion for your legs while keeping your knees from hitting the bottom of your desk.

Color: White

Advantages:

  • Add exercise to your daily routine with your current desk. 
  • Get more done while getting more exercise at the same time.

Dimensions: 28.4 x 11.3 x 18.4 inches


Under Desk Cycle

Model:ANCHEER

Features:

  • Indoor Mini Pedal Exerciser
  • Under Desk Bike Elliptical Machine with Built in Display Monitor
  • Mini Desk Cycle Resistance Exercise
  • Quiet & Compact
  • Electric Machine Trainer
  • 5-levels speed
  • Large Anti-slip Pedals
  • 1 year Warranty

Description:

Get a gym experience with this under desk peddler. It is great and effective for a quick workout wherever you are. The size of the machine allows you to store it and use it everywhere. Its built-in display monitor helps you track your progress and count the calories you are burning. It is a great device to keep yourself active regardless of what you are doing.

Color: Gray

Advantages:

  • Get an effective workout with large textured anti-slip foot pedals and low-attention exercise 
  • Promotes leg movement and improves circulation in a non-distracting way.
  • Great elliptical trainer brings you an experience like a gym

Dimensions: 18 ×14 ×10 inch


Under Desk Elliptical Bike Pedal Machine for Home Use

Model: FitDesk

Features:

  • Works with many desks
  • Smooth and Quiet
  • Hands Free Adjustment
  • 6 Function Display

Description:

Do you spend the majority of your day sitting down wishing you were engaging in more physical activity? This product offers the right solution for you. Its effective size allows you to perform physical activities wherever you see fit.

Color: White

Advantages:

  • Use it every day to improve health and add fitness and activity to any desk.
  • Digital meter with 6 function display. Desk stand included to easily view and track your exercise
  • Designed for desk/sitting use and built tough for commercial/long duration use
  • A large pedal platform for comfortable and easy foot placement.

Dimensions: 30 x 10 x 20 inches


Bionic Body Magnetic Tension Under-Desk Elliptical Mini Stepper Trainer with Resistance Tubes NS-1009

Model: Bionic Body

Features:

  • Adjustable Resistance Lever
  • Multiple Training Positions
  • All-In-One Working Stations
  • Electronic Monitor to Track Progress
  • Slip Resistance Pedals
  • Accessory: Heavy Duty Resistance Bands

Description:

Get ready to step up your fitness game with the Bionic Body Magnetic Elliptical Mini Stepper. With its compact design and easy mobility, you can take it everywhere. Not having enough time or space to work out isn’t an excuse anymore, even if you are sitting by the television or stuck at a desk working all day. Sculpt muscles and burn calories with each workout. Stay toned and fit without having to spend tons of money on a gym membership.

Color: Copper

Advantages:

  • Avoid switching between workout stations to train your upper and lower body simultaneously
  • This step machine comes with a lever for turning the resistance up and down, so you can tailor your training to your fitness level and strengthen different muscle groups

Dimensions: 25 x 21 x 12 inches


Goplus 2 in 1 Under Desk Elliptical Stepper

Model: GoPlus 

Features:

  • Resistance Adjustable
  • More Stable with Heavier Weight
  •  Portable Mini Magnetic Step Machine
  •  Compact Strider
  • Ergonomic Design for Safety and Comfort
  • Flywheels Combined with Silent Belt Drive

Description:

This mini elliptical makes it easier for you to do effective exercise and burn some extra calories while watching television, reading a book at home or even during work hours. This is an ideal machine to workout at home and at the office. Its dimensions allow you to transport it everywhere and to even store it anywhere. The great part about this mini elliptical is that you’ll be able to work out sitting down or standing up. In addition to losing weight and improving your health, people who exercise before or during work suffer less stress and are more productive. For that reason, using your under the desk elliptical is in the best interest of your overall health.

Color: White

Advantages:

  • This Stepper is designed with two large, non-slip textured pedals to secure your feet.
  • The elliptical motion protects your knee joints from injuries
  • The silent belt drive mechanism ensures smooth and whisper-quiet operation so you can workout discreetly without disturbing anybody around you.
  • Adjustable tension level  for an easier or more difficult workout
  • The pedal motion track is elliptical, which simulates the actual running trajectory to protect your knee joint from injury.

Electric Elliptical Machine Trainer

Model: Fast 88

Features:

  • Desk Elliptical with Built in Display Monitor
  • Quiet & Compact
  • Multiple Movement Options
  • Easy portability
  • 5 levels adjustable speed to control workout intensity level.

Description: With its 5 levels of adjustable speed, this under the desk elliptical is ideal for your workout. Regardless of the time that you have available to stay active, this machine suits your every need. Whenever you feel ready for a high intensity workout, just adjust the level and speed to meet your expectations. Use it whenever you might need a slower workout under the desk while multitasking with work activities as well. The electric fitness monitor is great for tracking your progress and slowly but surely seeing the results.

Color: Gray/Black

Advantages:

  • Pedals can forward or backward to target different muscles
  • Excellent Exercise Equipment & Ideal Rehabilitation
  • Improves your flexibility and overall physical health
  • Improves muscle strength
  • Helps to promote cardiovascular functions and improve coordination of arms and legs

Dimensions: 17.7×14.6×9.8 inch


Under Desk Elliptical Bike, Pedal Exerciser

Model: Ollectibo-11

Features:

  • Mini Elliptical Machine with Non-Slip Pedal
  • Under Desk / Stand Up Elliptical Machine
  • Quiet & Compact Home Office Trainer Fitness Peddler
  • First-rate plastic, durable in use
  • No need to install,use it directly

Description:

Daily effective mini elliptical. This machine is great for everyday use, to get a decent workout from wherever you are. Exquisite workmanship based on first-rate plastic, durable in use, and effective for high intensity or a slow workout. It is a widely used training machine. Due to its similar exercise style to cross-country skiing, it is also called an elliptical cross trainer. Its variety of uses are perfect to fit your every need and to target the desired muscles that you want to tone and train.

Color: White and Blue

Advantages:

  • It is a widely used training machine. Due to its similar exercise style to cross-country skiing, it is also called an elliptical cross trainer. Adopting high-class
  • Proper slope design, resistance adjustment, and motion type all make this machine perfectly fit for most users
  • Exercise on the ancheer elliptical helps you burn calories, tone lower-body muscle, and improve your cardiovascular health

Dimensions: 24.02 x 16.93 x 11.42


Under Desk & Stand Up Mini Elliptical

Model: JFIT

Features:

  • Stepper w/Adjustable Angle
  • The Ideal Fitness & Exercise Equipment for Home
  • Ideal for Men, Women, Kids & Seniors
  • Premium Home Gym Equipment
  • Under the desk and stand up elliptical
  • Quiet feature
  • You get a Series 1050 Monitor

Description:

As mentioned in the features, this is a premium home gym equipment. You can forget about high gym membership fees and invest in a device to workout at home. The dimensions of the equipment are ideal for at home use or even to take anywhere you see convenient. This device can be used by adults or even seniors, and it has the option to adjust the strength you need for a good workout to suit the person using it with its adjustable methods. Our mini elliptical features a unique, smart design with adjustable angle pedals. This advanced feature allows for both under the desk and standing up exercising.

Color: Black

Advantages:

  • You get a Series 1050 Monitor that records your time, distance, speed, and calories burnt
  • The larger wheels provide a smoother, quieter ride while making for less wear and tear and improved durability.
  • It features a very easy to use design with a turning dial for both standing and under desk exercising.
  • This mini elliptical features a tension dial that can provide you with adjustable resistance.
  • This mini elliptical is a perfect addition to any home gym or can be the perfect solution to stay fit as you work on your desk
  • The larger wheels provide a smoother, quieter ride while making for less wear and tear and improved durability.

Indoor Desk Electric Elliptical Machine Trainer

Model: Funmily

Features:

  • Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser
  • Mini Cycle Exercise Bike for Leg Pedder
  • Portable with Display Monitor
  • Quiet & Compact
  • Compact ergonomic ellipticals can plug in power to assist workout or use it directly without power.
  • Auto (P1-P3) & Manual (5-levels speed)
  • Advanced LED Built-in Display Monitor
  • No need to install Use it directly 
  • Easy-to-operate Remote
  • Multi-function LCD Monitor
  • Forward or Reverse motion
  • Textured Massage Pedals
  • Sturdy Construction

Description:

A great small elliptical trainer can bring you an experience like working out in a gym. This under the desk elliptical trainer provides a smooth and quiet operation, therefore your workout won’t bother anybody. Its compact design is great to transport it anywhere you might need it. Have it in the trunk of your car and use it in the office and then take it back home to use it while watching tv. This desk elliptical is great for burning off some calories, and toning your lower body. Be confident that this will be the best investment for exercise. No more excuses for not working out because you can multitask and make every minute of your day more efficient.

Color: Gray

Advantages:

  • Low-attention exercise can promote leg movement, improve blood circulation, and distract attention.
  • LED Built-in Display Monitor which keeps track of time, distance, scan, speed, calories burned
  • Designed specifically to be whisper quiet, You can enjoy the convenience of working out without disturbing those around you.
  • Large textured anti-slip foot pedals and low-attention exercise promotes leg movement and improved circulation in a non-distracting way.

Dimensions: 18 ×14 ×10 inch


If you are someone who works in an office or from home while sitting at a desk all day, we highly recommend the following:

  1. Practice intermittent fasting. It will change your life.
  2. Find a way to keep your body moving in one way or another throughout the day. Learn everything you need to know to get started in our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Yoga.
  3. Take mental breaks. Use a pomodoro timer at work or learn more about how you can get started with meditation in our guide to meditation.

Did you find this list of under the desk ellipticals to be helpful? If I missed one that you recommend, please leave a comment below.

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