You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that sitting for long periods of time is bad for you, which is why you should make a conscious effort to exercise at your desk.

Yes, it is possible to exercise and and work at the same time with the proper desk exercise equipment.

In fact, studies have shown that a “sit less, move more” regimen in the workplace can actually enhance productivity.

As if a productivity boost wasn’t awesome enough, you’ll probably also be in a better mood, have less aches and pains, and feel less fatigued.

Here are some of my favourite desk exercise equipment options for exercising at your desk while you work.

Option #1: Seated Elliptical Training With the Cubii

Don’t have a standing desk with no plans on getting one anytime soon?

The Cubii might be the perfect option for you.

It’s like a mini elliptical trainer that keeps your lower body moving while you work.

Best of all, it’s super compact so it fits almost anywhere, it’s quiet so it won’t disturb you while you work, and it offers a low-impact kind of workout if you have issues with your feet or joints.

You can select your difficulty level from eight different resistance settings and see your calories burned, reps per minute (RPM), number of strides, time elapsed, and distance on the builtin display monitor.

Cons of Using a Seated Elliptical

✘  Pretty expensive for a small piece of equipment

✘ Requires staying seated

✘  Doesn’t offer a complete workout solution

Pick #2: Low-Impact Stepping With the Sunny Health and Fitness Mini Stair Stepper

The Sunny Health mini stair stepper is my personal favourite and the one that I actually use in my own home office!

And no, it’s not because it’s pink (although that was unexpected bonus that even I was surprised I loved).

Just like one of those bulky stair stepper machines at the gym, this one allows you to step naturally at your own pace and chosen resistance on a piece of equipment that’s much smaller in size.

It makes a great addition to any standing desk and also comes with a display monitor showing time elapsed, step count, steps per minute, and calories burned.

Cons of Using a Mini Stair Stepper

✘  Starts squeaking after prolonged use and requires regular lubrication

✘ Requires a standing desk or standing desk converter

Pick #3: Walking With the WalkingPad Foldable Under Desk Treadmill

If walking is more your thing and you have both the room and the budget to invest in a piece of desk exercise equipment that lets you do it, then you might want to consider the award-winning WalkingPad under desk treadmill.

This is the type of treadmill that is more compact than standard ones and doesn’t come built with handles or a raised display monitor — because it’s meant to slide under your desk.

This treadmill also folds up to be even more compact and has a set of wheels to slide it around when you need to put it away.

A simple display monitor shows the time elapsed on the front you can control your entire walking experience with a handy remote control by adjusting the acceleration and deceleration settings.

It’s really the ultimate solution to getting your 10K steps in for the day (and actually surpassing it with flying colours) if you work at a desk for eight hours or more.

Cons of Using An Under Desk Treadmill

✘  Still quite pricey (especially if you want a good one)

✘ Requires a decent amount of floor room

✘  Higher impact workout (more pressure on the joints)

✘  Not as many features or functions as a standard treadmill

✘ Requires a standing desk or standing desk converter

✘  Maximum weight capacity of 220 lbs

Which Desk Exercise Equipment Option Is Best for You?

The right piece of equipment will depending on several factors, including your current office setup, whether or not you’re willing to get a standing desk/standing desk converter, your budget, and what type of workout you want.

I personally went with the mini stair stepper because my home office is extremely small and doesn’t have the room for an under desk treadmill.

I also wanted to be able to stand and move at the same time, so I knew that the Cubii wasn’t for me.

Each of the three options above has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

All you have to do is consider the most important features you’re looking for in your desk exercise equipment of choice and weigh them with the potential drawbacks.

Whichever option you choose, it’s bound to benefit you more than staying seated for hours at a time in your desk chair.

Your mind and body will thank you for it!