This is such a great idea for fitting exercise into a busy schedule. I am currently in my last year of graduate school, in a program that is strictly online. Before I found this product I spent a good chunk of time sedentary, and gained more than a few pounds. But with regular use, I lost about 10 lbs in the first month, a total 30 lbs so far, and managed to maintain my weight over 6 months.FitDesk is a small company that actually listens to its consumers. I have had to opportunity to use both the original (2010) and new (2011) models of this product and am truly pleased with the updates and improvements made on this fundamentally great idea. The company is quick to respond to questions and suggestions (always within 24 hrs) and seems genuine in wanting to produce a reputable product that meets the expectations of the consumer. This type of customer service is much appreciated and makes this company stand out from its competition.
The design of the bike is simple, yet effective. The bike mechanism is sturdy and quiet. It is quieter than any stationary bike, or other stationary fitness machine I have used at home or at the gym (e.g. treadmill, stair climber, or elliptical machine). One can easily work out in the same room as a sleeping spouse.
The new 2011 model has made quite a few improvements on the original design. The most noticeable (an appreciated) being the seat. For anyone not used to spending any length of time on a bike seat, doing so can be quite uncomfortable. But the new model comes with a cushioned, wider seat. Like any bike seat, it will take some conditioning to get used to the feel, but anyone who has used the 2010 model will immediately notice this improvement.
The designers have added a safety bar that locks the machine into an "open" or "closed" position. This feature paired with the nylon strap ensures that the bike stays in the position it was intended to for proper use. I like the added confidence these points offer. When in the locked "closed" position the machine can be moved and stored easily thanks to the addition of wheels on the base support.
There are updates to the foot pedals, body color, logo, and desk cover that really add a pleasing aesthetic to the look of the machine. Not only is the bike appealing because of the ingenious concept, but it looks sharp too!
The only suggestion I have is updating the means of securing a laptop to the desk. Currently, large rubber bands are provided, and serve their purpose, but take away from the new sleek design. But, honestly, this is not a huge concern because of the angle at which the desk sits on the bike. The laptop is not in a position to slide and a lip has been added to the lower part of the desk to add some resistance.
All in all, this is a great idea that really has been improved. And you will get a workout. I always work up a sweat and raise my heart rate. And now, with the timer/calorie counter/speed/distance monitor, I have a better idea of just how much physical activity I am doing. In fact, I find it easier to work out on my Fitdesk bike than jogging, because I can distract myself into working out longer by using my laptop. I can easily work out for an hour on the Fitdesk bike, while I find myself counting down the minutes of my jogs.
I never ever do video in fact this may be the first one I''ve ever done willingly. But, I didn''t feel that I could do my review justice without showing exactly how happy I am with the FitDesk. I wanted to showcase the stability of the bike as well as the amount of workout you really can get while getting real work done (hence the heavy breathing in the video!) Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. If you are on the fence, I hope this, among the other reviews, will convince you to take the leap I promise you won''t regret it.
Buy FitDesk Semi-Recumbent Pedal Desk Now
I am surprised at the number of 4and 5-star reviews this product has gotten. I am really being generous in giving it 3-stars as it has some major limitations. As an exercise bike, it is pretty poor. The resistance mechanism is not fluid, by that I mean that the resistance varies somewhat depending on the position of the pedals. This makes it very difficult to get a consistent pedaling rhythym, and also makes it hard to get a solid workout. For people looking for a minimal physical output -ie just a little more than sitting still -it is fine. For any kind of serious exercise though it is not ideal. I should mention that I am an avid mountain bike rider and I also ride exercise bikes at the Y regularly.Another issue is that the bike is very small. I am only 6'' 0" and the seat is not able to adjust high enough for me. I think this is by design as the bike is pretty unstable, at higher extensions it may be too wobbly. In any case though it is impossible for me to ride it with proper leg extension.
Finally, the computer is junk. It looks like they bought some surplus Sony DiscMan CD player cases and stuck the LCD display for the bike inside. It is huge, about ten times larger than it needs to be. Mine was dead on arrival anyway, so I did not worry too much about the size. If I was this company I would simply leave the computer out as it is insultingly poor quality even at this rather low price point.
In summary, if you are looking for a very light workout while working on your laptop, and you are fairly short, this may be a good match for you. If you want a real workout though, you may need to pay more money.
EDIT -Wow, so many comments. For those of you arguing that the FitDesk is good enough for a light workout, please re-read my review -I agree with you! My main complaint though -which nobody, including the product''s manufacturer has commented on -is that the rotation is not fluid, it is very uneven or "clunky". Whether you want a light workout or a heavy one, having a smooth rotational feel is essential IMO.
Read Best Reviews of FitDesk Semi-Recumbent Pedal Desk Here
I bought my FitDesk a few months ago and I absolutely love it! In fact, I''m riding it right now while writing this review. If you spend a lot of time on the computer and need to lose a few pounds, this bike is a great way to do it. It''s easy to set up (even for mechanically challenged moms like myself), lightweight enough to move from room to room if you want to, and so quiet that you''ll barely be able to hear yourself pedaling. Others have mentioned problems with the seat, but I think it''s pretty comfortable. I can ride for at least an hour without feeling uncomfortable.The desk portion that holds the laptop is lightweight, but it''s very steady and holds the computer securely. I agree with commenters who have said it would be nice to have something better than a large rubber strap to hold the computer, but only because rubber will wear out. The band itself is very secure and easy to slip on and off, but I am seeing signs of wear after having it consistently stretched across the desk for months. (Of course, I could take the strap and computer off my FitDesk every night, but I ride every single day, so it''s easier to just leave everything in place so I don''t have to set it up again in the morning.)
In the first two weeks, even before I started paying attention to how long I was riding or how many calories I was burning, I noticed a difference in the way my clothes fit. Now I''m paying more attention to how many calories I''m burning and I''m losing about a pound a week without any real effort (i.e., no dieting!). I absolutely love this machine! It''s the first piece of exercise equipment I''ve ever owned that I haven''t gotten bored with. I love being able to work out while I work because it''s such a time saver.
Finally, I have to agree with others who have mentioned the customer service. Steve, the inventor of FitDesk, will answer your call or email himself. Some day he''ll probably have a huge company because this is such an awesome invention and then he won''t have time to talk to customers himself, but for the moment, he''s the best customer service rep you''ll ever talk to because he believes in his product and is doing everything he can to make it even better.
Would I recommend this product? ABSOLUTELY! If you want to lose weight and get fit, go buy it now!
Want FitDesk Semi-Recumbent Pedal Desk Discount?
I have had two different models of the fitdesk and love them both. Here''s a few things to know about the fitdesk in general:The customer service is fantastic. I''ve emailed with them a couple times and always had a lightning fast response it''s a small company and they seem to really, really care.
It''s basically a compact stationary bike with a platform for your laptop. The pictures make it look a little silly but in real life it looks like regular exercise equipment plus the platform. People may still make fun of you for "internet biking", but whatevs.
For me, I can do about 5 miles on the fitdesk in around 20-25 minutes. I try to do 5 miles a day. It''s very easy. Time flies for me when I''m on the internet, especially when I put on some good workout music.
Computer-wise, it''s perfect for what I consider light computer tasks. Data entry, writing emails, browsing, etc. I have found that I don''t want to type long documents while I''m on it and tend to stop pedaling if I really need to focus. So I wouldn''t consider it a replacement for your chair at work, for example. There is a backrest you can buy on the fitdesk website if you want to pause and lean back a lot, though, or have a different stance, so maybe if I used that more I wouldn''t pause so much (I just got one). I think it''s a nice inexpensive addition and doesn''t really change the size of the fitdesk since it folds down. It also could help with the few complaints about people''s back hurting from leaning forward on their computers so much.
If I get at least 25 minutes of exercise a day my body is happy and I feel great. I do that on here easily. I quit the gym since I got this the best part is I''m not spending 25 minutes exercising plus 25 minutes getting back and forth from the gym, etc. There''s literally no wasted time, my fitdesk is right there and I hop on before I''m already planning to shower. It''s rad. I think of it as workout time "time to work out on my fitdesk" and put on music and all that and work up a big sweat and mess around on the internet. So I use it as a bike more than a desk, but some people do it the other way round.
It is really QUIET and you can use it on a top-floor apartment with people below you no problem (!) and with someone else in the room and it doesn''t bother them at all. THAT is fantastic.
You can feel better about your wasted time on the internet! I can literally spend hours on the internet without realizing it so this is a way to channel that talent into something more productive and I feel a lot better when I''m done.
It''s not just for lazy, sedentary people :) It is for PRACTICAL people who want to trim wasted time from their exercise plans and/or add exercise where there wasn''t any. And/or people in a very small space or in close quarters who want options for exercising.
DO use the straps for your computer. I cracked my macbook screen by getting too casual about not using the bands.
Many people have said not to rely on it exclusively for your exercise. If you want to really create a home gym, you might also get a compact stepper and some resistance bands, or heck even just a pedometer, for a little more well-rounded workout. I use those things, too, but the fitdesk is my primary form of exercise other than walking and it seems to be working fine for me. Pay attention to your posture so you don''t get lower back pain and/or get the back rest on the fitdesk site.
Some notes on the newer model:
So they updated a few things in October. Both models are good and I have them both to compare to each other. The main differences with the new one are: much, much higher resistance options and a better resistance knob which make it more like serious piece of exercise equipment (I always rode the older one on the highest setting and the new one has me sweating a lot at half resistance, it''s GREAT), a better way to open and close the fitdesk (a pull-button vs. inserting the pin), an upgraded computer thingy that is still a bit clunky but not quite as much, a velcro strap instead of rubber band strap, and a more padded seat. And the styrofoam is black, not white. A note on resistance: I emailed the fitdesk people before to ask how to increase resistance on the previous model and it''s possible, they can send you special instructions. So if you have the previous model no worries, it''s still great, email to get that higher resistance info if you need it and don''t worry about the other changes, they are small with the resistance being the big thing, so up it yourself on your older model and you''re all set.
I found the updated one to be just a little bit louder than the older version, which was virtually silent, due to the higher resistance. Not loud enough to be a bother, but it does make a little noise, which my last one didn''t.
Like I said, the computer thing is still sort of clunky but that''s not a dealbreaker for me. It''s the only room for improvement on the bike in my opinion and it''s just a tiny one and clearly they''re trying so 5 stars is what I give.
All in all, I love this thing and would recommend it to anyone. It''s particularly great if you:
Live in a small space or in an upstairs apartment or in close quarters with someone else (since it''s so quiet, small and stable)
Are happily occupied browsing the internet and doing light computer stuff while getting your exercise
Are looking for a more casual piece of exercise equipment to keep you moving every day
Are not an extreme athlete looking for something to replace a $2,500 machine
Just want to be practical and pragmatic about your exercise
Save 15% off
0 comments:
Post a Comment