This under-desk elliptical will shake up your WFH routine — and it's on sale right now
Looking for more of the best deals, latest celebrity news and hottest trends? Sign up for Yahoo Lifestyle Canada’s newsletter!
Yahoo Lifestyle Canada is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
First, adjustable sit-stand desks were trending. Then came the treadmill desk. Now? The under-desk elliptical is here and according to Amazon reviewers, it’s no joke.
Though sitting and exercising sounds counterintuitive, the Cubii Jr. Seated Under-Desk Elliptical Trainer appears to offer many perks to those looking to squeeze in a workout or take it easy on their joints. After all, sitting still is “...more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV and is more treacherous than parachuting,” according to Dr. James Levine, the inventor of the treadmill desk.
Call it a wacky health and fitness trend or nonsense tech gadget if you want, but with a solid 4.5-star rating and nearly 1,300 reviews, this exercise machine might just be the perfect way to shakeup your WFH routine.
Is it really worth it? Let’s find out.
Cubii Jr. Seated Under-Desk Elliptical Trainer
SHOP IT: Amazon, $339 (originally $399)
The specifics
Setting up the Cubii is said to be easy - just four screws and you’re done. The manufacturer specifies that in three to four minutes, your machine should be fully assembled.
Designed to be “whisper-quiet,” the Cubii Jr. Seated Under-Desk Elliptical Trainer can help keep you active throughout your work day or moving while watching your favourite TV show. If you prefer to sit totally upright, the Cubii’s low profile, smooth elliptical motion keeps your knees from hitting your desk.
A built-in display monitor tracks your workouts in real time, recording calories burned, RPM, strides, time and distance. Plus, eight different resistance levels allow you to adjust and control the intensity of your elliptical session.
Questions asked
With the Cubii’s many great reviews comes many inquiries too.
“My grandma has Parkinson's will she be able to use this?” one potential buyer asked.
The answer: “Yes, I think so. I got one to exercise my legs before and after two hip replacements. The resistance settings go from one to eight so if her legs aren’t very strong, she can use the lower settings.”
If the Cubii’s ability to provide low-impact exercise to those with pre-existing health conditions was a concern, it was reaffirmed by yet another Cubii user.
“My stepfather uses a walker, has limited mobility and very little range of motion in his ankle, knees and hips. Can it work for him?”
The reply: “I am not a specialist, but I can tell that this non-expensive device improved the level of muscular resistance in my legs and my ankles.”
When in doubt, we suggest reaching out to your doctor or health practitioner to determine whether this device is right for your needs.
Customer reviews
In addition to the positive responses the Cubii continuously receives from owners of the product, it constantly gathers five star reviews as well.
“This Cubii is beyond quiet, very easy to assemble... under five minutes,” one reviewer said.
A shopper who battles knee problems gave the Cubii yet another glittering review:
“I had four surgeries to my knees and this Cubii Jr. exercise devise is excellent,” they wrote. “My knees feels so good, you don’t even know how fast you did so many movements.”
To buy, or not to buy?
It seems that the Cubii Jr. Seated Under-Desk Elliptical Trainer is the ideal machine for low-impact exercise and at-home rehab - whether you’re recovering from a major surgery or attempting treat joint inflammation.
With close to no complaints about defective units and an optional 5 Year Fitness Protection Program that covers any issues with your machine for only $81.99, we think it’s worth a try.
Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and sign up for our newsletter.
