According to its founders, the key is a low profile and a narrow range of motion that minimizes how high you pump your knees. Sitting on exercise ball all day is one way to get some secret exercise. Cubii ($347). I downloaded the app, set the resistance dial (to max, naturally), and pumped my legs for about three seconds before my knee first banged up against my desk. While some stretching exercises require more privacy or range of motion than others, there are still stretches you can do at your desk without really being noticed. A slew of new exercise machines are designed to slide under your desk, giving your legs access to a mini elliptical machine or stationary bike with less expense and space—and fewer stares—than a standing desk or treadmill rig. As with the Cubii, I achieved the best results when lowering my chair and extending the reach of my legs—though even that may not be enough to keep the tallest among us from banging our knees. You absolutely love your job! And while the companion app allowed me to keep track of my burn, I found it a bit clunky to navigate, and it currently doesn’t sync up with any other fitness trackers (the company says that feature is coming soon). At the lowest of its eight settings, it felt as if I were effortlessly pedaling a downhill bike. Although this position—with my legs outstretched fairly far—made it difficult to sit up straight and maintain proper typing posture, it proved comfortable for leaning back while reading or taking on other nontyping tasks. Another exercise to do at your desk is the Foot Drill. It also might be hazardous to your health. This product looks a lot like somebody shrank—and then ripped the top off—a gym elliptical machine. Thankfully, the Velcro-strapped bike pedals actually offer a fair amount of leeway with your leg angle, making it ideal for stretching out. Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg Terminal. You’ve heard it a million times: Sit less. Rather than give up, I lowered my chair and kicked the Cubii a bit further away, extending my legs and therefore reducing the height of my knee’s zenith. Still, users should come into this with realistic expectations. And while this device doesn’t feature a companion app, a digital display allows you to keep track of your workday workout, and an included mount even lets you plop the display on your desk, negating the need to peek under your desk to check on your mileage. Your knees will thank you. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to use under a desk without banging my knees. While the Cubii puts the user’s foot in a toe-up position that allows it to be used with extended legs, this one's relatively flat-footed pedals allowed it work well when standing up straight, but it was very awkward once I stretched out my legs as far as required to keep my legs from banging. Overall, I found the movement smooth and the workout real. Shrug your shoulders as high as you can and hold it for a few seconds. It likely takes a serious multitasking mind to use any of these machines while concentrating on other work, but most people could surely benefit from having one handy for quick midday activity bursts. As with the Cubii, I achieved the best results when lowering my chair and extending the reach of my legs—though even that may not be enough to keep the tallest among us from banging our knees. Stamina Inmotion Compact Strider($200). 1. We wanted to build something that is accessible to everyone.”. Here, seven secret muscle-building moves you can do without your co-workers even knowing. Extend your legs under the desk for a few seconds. Seth Porges. 3) Shoulder Raises. Your desk is slowly killing you. Copyright © 2020 Comstock Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. This product looks a lot like somebody shrank—and then ripped the top off—a gym elliptical machine. Your knees will thank you. 2335 American River Drive, Ste 410 1. Cubii ($347) “However, there weren’t accessible to us as they were expensive, needed a lot of space, and required a complete change in our office furniture authorized by the HR department. 1. The tips, tricks and tools you need to see your business succeed, Giving back to the region's charitable organizations. Though if anybody has ever called you tall, try before you buy. I would recommend picking one or two to start with and not trying to implement them all at once. But standing desks—and their juiced-up descendants, treadmill desks—are expensive, often require an office manager’s approval, and simply stand out too much for the more modest- minded among us. According to its founders, the key is a low profile and a narrow range of motion that minimizes how high you pump your knees. The narrow range of motion feels more like repeatedly stepping on sewing-machine pedals than using a gym elliptical. At its highest, I was winded in minutes. Park farther away. These are a great way to relieve tension in your neck. Rather than give up, I lowered my chair and kicked the Cubii a bit further away, extending my legs and therefore reducing the height of my knee’s zenith. In other words, they let you discreetly work out while you work. How to Exercise at Your Desk, in Secret. Although this position—with my legs outstretched fairly far—made it difficult to sit up straight and maintain proper typing posture, it proved comfortable for leaning back while reading or taking on other nontyping tasks. Assembling the Cubii was quick. The narrow range of motion feels more like repeatedly stepping on sewing-machine pedals than using a gym elliptical. In other words, they let you discreetly work out while you work. Assembling the Cubii was quick. Brand X Pictures/Thinkstock. You’ve heard it a million times: Sit less. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.Terms of Use & Privacy Policy | Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Comstock Publishing Inc. Here are a few ideas to get you started -- illustrated with help from our friends at Venngage, the poster maker. And while this device doesn’t feature a companion app, a digital display allows you to keep track of your workday workout, and an included mount even lets you plop the display on your desk, negating the need to peek under your desk to check on your mileage. I put three such systems to the test. Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible to use under a desk without banging my knees. Like the Cubii, the Deskcycle features a dial that makes it easy to crank the resistance up and down instantly. As a matter of fact, you can even exercise at your desk as you read this article! I put three such systems to the test. And while it would be hard not to notice that I was doing something under my desk, unless you find yourself panting for breath, the near-silent machine is unlikely to disturb office mates. Compact under-desk machines claim to provide the health benefits of a treadmill desk without the clunky profile. 10 Ways to Sneak in Exercise at Work. In other words, they let you discreetly work out while you work. Part of this design difference comes from the pedal position. And while the company recommends users have desks that are at least 27 inches high, I found that, unless you happen to be particularly short, you’ll almost certainly need at least a few inches beyond this. Cubii ($347) Bend and hold this position for a count of ten, then repeat on the other side. The Cubii, a sleek under-desk elliptical machine that looks like a tiny light bike from the movie Tron and purports to burn 120 calories an hour,recently made some waves on the Kickstarter circuit. Deskcycle ($159). Tap into your inner Fred Astaire by speedily tapping those toes on the floor under your desk. While the Cubii puts the user’s foot in a toe-up position that allows it to be used with extended legs, this one’s relatively flat-footed pedals allowed it work well when standing up straight, but it was very awkward once I stretched out my legs as far as required to keep my legs from banging.