I’ve been looking at the popular Fit Desk, which is an exercise bike laptop stand type thing. Several people have been talking about them on Facebook, but I haven’t met anyone yet that actually owns one.
As you know, I have a Gazelle Edge. And no, my laptop doesn’t fit on it anywhere 🙂 LOL.
I’ll often move my Gazelle around the house – it folds up and it’s easy to move anywhere! – and use it in front of the TV while I watch a favorite show, or even put it in front of my computer if I want to work out while catching a webinar online or something.
So the Fit Desk caught my attention. I don’t really need it, because I have my Gazelle and that works out for me just fine. My first thought was whether I was even coordinated enough to work out and use my laptop at the same time 😉 haha. It would be really cool for people who ARE coordinated though.
I imagine it would be fun for gaming, movies, reading, or just keeping up with everything going on in your social networks while you get your exercise.
Pretty cool concept, really. And it’s not very expensive at all. I’d still love to hear from someone that actually has one – and, um, uses it. 😛 If you’ve tried one out, let us know what you think! I’m interested to know if it’s as functional as it seems…
What do YOU think of the Fit Desk concept? Is this something you think you’d get a lot of use out of? Or something else you might hang clothes on? 🙂
Speaking of, I haven’t been working out lately nearly as much as I’d planned. Time to throw in the Zumba DVD and get back at it! What about you – are you working out, or just sticking to the low carb diet?
Years ago I read about how walking on a treadmill while working burns a ton of calories. The thing I really liked is that you can walk REALLY slow, like you’re not really even exercising, but because you do it for a few hours it really makes a difference over just sitting all day.
I’ve had it on my mind to do ever since and I think I just may try it this year.
As for your laptop on the bike. I think it looks like a neat idea but I would think that could be used more for reading and catching up on emails, etc, versus doing a lot of typing and working.
I’m not exercising at all… one day.
I have to get back on track too. It was a beautiful day out today, and I *should* have done a good two mile walk with Slim. But my heart wasn’t in it – and neither were my legs. π I’ll regret missing this nice day when it turns cold again…
I’m about to get SERIOUS about daily exercise though. π
That is so cool!
Traveling causes so many problems for me with diet/exercise. Thanks for the tip.
What do you struggle with most when you’re traveling?
A more antiquated concept would be to get one of those portable foot pedals and use it at your regular desk. I know people who use the foot-pedals while sitting on their couch watching TV. This machine looks too uncomfortable seat-wise for me and lacks a back rest as well. It would almost be better to walk on a treadmill and get one that fits a laptop. I think people attach Treadmill Desks/Laptop Holder to their treadmills…..
Yes, it does look too uncomfortable. What I am lusting for is a treadmill desk.
I can barely walk and talk so this would probably be really dangerous for me!
It is very easy to multitask while you are peddling it is not as hard as it looks. I have it downstairs and I have the tv on computer on top and peddling away!!!
I’ve wondered about them too, but I don’t think I could work very well while in motion. Can’t say for sure, I guess, not having tried it, but I’m interested to hear what others say.
The fitdesk is awesome, I have a bad back and have no issues using it. It is comfortable for a bike and I have been on it for almost an hour when I am on the computer usually on FB or email and I even forget that I am peddling. It is so nice to be able to be on the computer and excersize at the same time. So worth the $$$$
LOL I was JUST looking at this. I really think I could do it! Pedal and work at the same time that is. Thinking about getting one…
I’ve seen these, and then there are also the treadmill desks and sit-stand desks. I guess the only way to know how good an idea it is is to try it first. I love the idea though – exercising while working.
The ultimate in multi-tasking – especially if you are eating with one hand and typing with the other, while pedaling. LOL π
I guess before I bought one I would want to try it out first. Like some of the comments above, I had heard of the treadmill desks. I’ve been trying to talk my hubby into building one for me when I move my “office” out of the family room closet and into the loft in our house.
He says he can’t figure out how you walk and work at the same time. He jokes that I have a hard time walking and chewing gum sometimes. π I have to admit (just not to him) π he’s right, LOL
Have you heard of anyone using one of those desks for anything besides watching videos or webinars? With the Fit Desk, I’m wondering if the seat is close enough to the desk top to be comfortable if you wanted to do any typing or such.
I’m guessing, by looking at it, you have to lean forward. I would really love to try one of these out and see. For now though, I like how portable my Gazelle is – and it’s perfect for watching a show, a webinar, etc.
I love the fitdesk easy to use while typing away. I feel that the fitdesk is easier than one that is a tredmill desk. Walking and typing I know I would not be able to do but sitting and peddling and typing no problem doing that at all.
A few links on sitting vs standing for deskwork I picked up from the Tentblogger “setting up a home office series”:
Sitting is Killing You
http://www.medicalbillingandcoding.org/sitting-kills/
No Really β Sitting Is Killing You
http://blogs.plos.org/obesitypanacea/2011/07/12/no-really-sitting-is-killing-you/
Just give it a try for 30 Days!
http://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days.html
Grat Q&A on Standing Desk
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/standing/standing_basic.html
Workspace Planner β Make sure your desk is ergonomically set
http://www.ergotron.com/tabid/305/language/en-US/default.aspx
Thanks, Laura! π
Lynn’s Tweet about the FitDesk was over on the clicknewz.com site, so I came over here to see what it’s all about.
Over on the Fit Desk link Lynn provided, they also offer a FitDesk PRO. This would fit on what I currently have (out on the front porch) in terms of an exercise bike.
I have not used one of these at all; I am basing my comments on how I use my bike trainer.
In either case, I can’t imagine how I would type while pedaling on them. I certainly could not do it on my bike trainer. There is too much side-to-side, full body movement when I’m on the bike.
Most of the time, I prefer to be pedaling sitting up, with my hands at my sides.
If I am leaning forward at all, it’s to stretch my back, and I need to hold the handlebars to keep my balance.
Even if I could somehow figure out how to type and bike at the same time, my hands get way too sweaty to use the keyboard. π
If you look closely at the video over on the site, none of the people are typing for very long, nor are they typing very fast when they do type.
@L.M., I also have one of those pedal devices you mentioned, and again, don’t see how I could type while using it, either. π
Maybe I’m wrong, but it seems to me, too, that this is just asking for more injuries in the wrists, back, and so on.
Kinda like rubbing your belly and patting your head at the same time? π LOL…
Yes, just like that. π
For some reason, I can do that trick, but can’t see myself using this thing. I do think the stand for the laptop (without the laptop on it) could come in handy for other uses.
I love moving my Gazelle in front of the monitor or TV for certain things, so I can see how it would work for webinars & movies and such… I’d love to try one out someday and see if I could type too. Who knows! π
A Gazelle is great, though moving the one here is a bit of a hassle. It’s upstairs, so it tends to stay there.
My bike trainer is the one I would want to move. It lives out on the front porch most of the time.
I’d love to be able to ride it when watching TV, but there is no room at the moment in the sun room where I have the TV.
In the warmer weather, I could open a connecting door from the sun room, to the outer porch, which is something I’ve been meaning to try for using it while watching TV.
For now, I like having it face toward the yard, so I can see the birds, and other fauna. π
As for the FitDesk, based on numerous replies here, it seems I “sit” corrected. π
If I ever come across one where I can try it before buying, that would be ideal. (Living out in the mountains now, there are few places where I might find one in a store at all, let alone where I could test it.)
According to Amazon, it weighs 40 pounds, so I would not want to have to return it. π
The treadmill desk is probably more my speed. The one from TrekDesk, as shown on Amazon, looks interesting.
Which model of treadmill desk do you have in mind?
very easy to type and peddle at the same time. I was on FB then email for about an hour one day had no idea that I was on for that long, I did feel it in my legs a bit the next day though!!!!! I sometimes will sit up and put my hands to my side and stretch out and then will go back to typing on the computer
I own one! I have to say, it’s really easy to use the laptop and ride the bike at the same time. I am a stay at home mom of a 1 year old and a 4 year old and it’s really hard to find time to exercise, not to mention the energy. I can honestly say I use this bike almost every day and often look forward to getting on it because that’s the time I surf the web or play games, playing the Wii with it is great because both hands are free and the time flies by.
That being said I can’t say it’s the best workout in the world. The most time I can allocate to exercise is an hour or so a day. I can easily do an hour on this bike, maybe a little too easily.
All in all, it’s one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Eventually as my kids get older I can maybe join a gym, but for now it gets me some exercise on a daily basis and it’s something I’ve kept up with for probably 3 months or so without getting bored with it since you can read, play games, do whatever you would normally do with some free time except lying on the couch!
Thanks for piping in, Millis! π
Why do you feel it’s not a great workout. Is it the bike itself, or the distraction, or… ? Curious!
For me it just doesn’t get my heart rate going enough to really give me a ‘workout’. I’ve tightened the resistance and that has helped. I think the intent is that this is something you would be on for long periods of the day, like if you worked from home or were on a computer for long stretches. As a stay at home mom, I really can only devote an hour or so to exercise a day and sometimes not even that! This has definitely helped me to lose some weight and get some exercise in, and I find that when I’m running around w/the kids I don’t get easily winded. I think even if I were a member of a gym I would still use this because it keeps me motivated and I often look forward to jumping on it because I’m doing something I truly enjoy at the same time. So, overall a fantastic purchase!
Good to know! π
I have one & really like it. I am 52 & like to play a lot of computer games. I usually sit on the couch with my feet up on an ottoman while playing on the computer & watching TV. I noticed that my left hip was bothering me. I ordered a Fitdesk & use it to play on my computer & watch TV at the same time & now notice I do not have the pain in my left hip. My 23 year old daughter also likes to use it. In fact I have had to chase her off of it so I could get on. Super easy to do the computer, watch TV & get a little exercise in. There is a knob that you can use to make it harder to pedal if you want. No problems writing emails or anything else on it. I have had it over a month & am more than satisfied with the purchase. My handle bars were bent & the desk part would not fit, I emailed Fitdesk & the guy who invented it & owns the company answered me within minutes. I had sent a pic & he could tell from that & put new handle bars in the mail the next day & I had them within 2 days. EXCELLENT customer service. I would advise anyone to buy one.
Awesome customer service! Very nice π
Millis mentioned it wasn’t that great a workout – do you find it is, when you tighten the pedals for more resistance?
I don’t really think of the FitDesk as “a workout.” I know you can really turn up the resistance if you want, but for me, the point is to spend hours each day where my metabolism doesn’t tank and my blood doesn’t pool around my ankles because I’m not moving. I use the FitDesk just to keep my heart and blood pumping a little faster than it would if I was stationary. It’s similar to how standing for hours is much healthier than sitting, but it’s better exercise than standing.
Good point! π
I use my fitdesk 4-6 Days a weekfor at least 45 Minutes. It’s not uncomfortabe at all. I usually read, do facebook, play games on my laptop or play video games. The time goes by very quickly and i pedal pretty fast. There’s no reason why a person can’t get a good workout on the Fitdesk. As for the treadmill desk in comparison, the only thing i can do while walking is read a book and even then i can lose my balance. I can’t fall off the fitdesk PLUS its about $1700 cheaper. Its a no brainer to me!
Yeah, it’s definitely inexpensive – a great value! I’m with you on walking and reading lol. I see people do it at the gym and I have NO idea how they do it!
I’ve had one since last July or so. I’m on it right now .. I’m usually on it! I log so many hours at the computer that I knew I was shaving years off my life from all the sedentary time. I spent a lot of time researching, but really only the FitDesk was within my budget and the size of my small house.
I really couldn’t be happier with it. I switched out the seat, because, apparently, my butt requires a big seat to be comfy. π I’m one of those people that concentrates deeply and I don’t even like to have background music on, but it’s really not a problem to pedal and work at the same time. If something is VERY difficult, I subconsciously stop pedaling until I work through it. I get a little more in tune with it every week … you know what they say, your body gets VERY good at things you do a lot and I was getting far too good at sitting in a chair!
BTW, the lack of a backrest isn’t a problem for me. I kind of make a mental note to hold my stomach muscles in but that’s just so I don’t hurt my back by slouching. I do understand though that they just came out with a chair with a backrest for people who want it. I really like how I can work on this, and then just move it a little to watch TV or something. It’s really been a help this winter since I don’t feel like exercising in the dark and cold.
Very cool. I imagine you’re right – it would become easier with practice, just like anything. It really is a nice sized machine and a great value…
OMG OMG OMG! Why is it not XMAS anymore! I want this, SOOOO BADLY! I am always on the computer so I would use this regularly! My new year resolution is to actually STAND MORE (as in stand ALL DAY when ever I am on my computer)… and this would also be perfect! Darn it, I want! LOL.
Valentine’s Day is just a couple weeks away… π LOL
I got a fitdesk for Christmas and the first time I climbed on I made it only 25 minutes before my legs turned to rubber. I’m now riding for 1 1/2 hours about 4 times a week. I’m 54 years old and an author. I also can’t walk and type at the same time, but the fitdesk has been no problem at all. I think it’s because I’m sitting and don’t have to worry about balance. I’ve found if I change my position during my ride it helps keep the butt from going numb. I lean forward for a while, then lean back etc. I can write and ride without issue as well. I don’t think about my legs moving while I write. Today I rode 18 miles. Yeah, Granny’s kicking butt π
Lisa Cooke
Very cool, Lisa! What a nice Christmas gift. π You’re really rocking it!!
I FitDesk is the same concept as the TrekDesk the difference being that the latter uses a treadmill not a bike. I think is great that all these are coming into the mainstream given the need we all have to be more active. I personally use a <a href="http://riskforheartdisease.com/product-reviews/schwinn-220-recumbent-bike"Recumbent Bike although not as much as I should. Not really a fan of exercise. However, I have decided to start a Low Carb diet and try as much as I can to exercise on my bike. I am happy to have found your site. I’ll be here often!
Welcome! Glad you joined us π
I am currently trying to make it a habit to exercise daily, even if it’s something light – like a 10 minute workout. Zumba is my favorite so far! Eating low carb helped me get the weight off, so I’m aiming to tone up now. π
I am looking forward to receiving your tips. I once lost some weight with a low carb diet. Of course I gained it all back because I lacked the discipline to keep it going. But I am 54 now and I better get serious before its too late! I am planning to start the “Mayo Clinic Health Heart Plan”. That and some low carb food should do it. Wish me luck!
Good luck! π
I’m not familiar with the Mayo Clinic plan. Does it work well alongside a low carb diet? Keep me posted! π
I think it will. The first two weeks is where I am at right now. The requirements are to make sure you eat five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, sleep 7-9 hours and add 10 minutes of exercise to your daily routine. I don’t know what comes, next, but I will keep you posted.
The truth is that I have tried low carbs before, I immediately see the benefits. I loose the feeling of being bloated all the time. I feel better and lighter with more energy.
Even if I can’t keep up with the Mayo Heart Health Plan, I will continue the low carbs.
As off today, I also removed all the stuff I had over my stationary bike and start moving!
Awesome! π
The only thing that doesn’t sound compatible is the fruits. Unless you eat berries – raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc. They’re not really fruits π