Sitting All Day at Work? Experts Say This Device Can Help You Stay Active (2024)

We like this elliptical for its fun pink design that can spice up your office (though you can go with gray or white if pink isn’t your thing). There’s a small digital monitor to keep track of metrics like time, speed, calories and distance while you work out, and you can pick among eight resistance levels by turning the tension knob.

The foot pedals are textured to help prevent slippage while in use, and our experts like that this model comes with a handle so you can move it around easily (though take note that it's around the heavier end at 25 pounds). Plus, it has over 7,600 five-star ratings on Amazon, with many reviewers noting that the model is stable and quiet.

Push past inactivity on this under desk elliptical, which can be pedaled forward or in reverse. This compact steel machine is midweight, with non-slip endcaps and pedals so your feet feel secure while you're working. "I like how stable this model is," says Winn. It is easily portable as well.

Track your strides, exercise time and calories burned on the machine's electronic built-in monitor. You can also adjust the tension by turning the resistance knob. However, the resistance isn't displayed so you'll have to adjust based off of feel and your effort expenditure.

Pair the elliptical via Bluetooth with the müüv app on your smartphone to provide personalized workouts tailored to you.

Multitask with this under desk elliptical, which offers eight resistance levels and comes with a display monitor to track your stats. It’s on the expensive end of the spectrum and is one of the heaviest choices on this list, but it has larger foot pedals so you can adjust your motion so it feels the most comfortable for you.

The sturdy model is well-made and quiet. It's also compatible with your Apple Watch or Fitbit so you can track your stats. "Thoughtful design, well engineered, solid construction, a pleasure to use. Large pedals, smooth, quiet. A little pricey but you get what you pay for," one Amazon reviewer said.

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Tech savvy colleagues will appreciate this connected under desk elliptical from Cubii. With eight levels of resistance, this device most importantly connects to the Cubii app for wireless fitness tracking via Bluetooth. It's compact and comes with a slip-resistant mat to protect your floor while in use. "I like that this model is stable and doesn't move around when you're using it," says Winn.

Our experts like that this model is quiet, weighs less than 20 pounds and comes with a built-in handle and wheels to easily move it around if needed. It's only available in one color, but we appreciate that the Cubii products are well-made and designed. "I use it under my desk at work all day long and no one can tell," one Amazon reviewer said.

As an upgraded version of this company's regular model, you won't have to worry about your feet slipping or sliding on the pedals of this elliptical thanks to its built-in foot straps that can be adjusted for a secure fit.

The elliptical comes with a remote so you can easily switch back and forth between power-assisted (where the pedals move without much effort from you) and adjustable-resistance mode without having to bend down. Use the buttons to navigate the tension and speed from level one to 10. It is worth noting that some users found the power-assisted mode to be somewhat useless and too easy.

Bonus: This machine has built-in wheels and a retractable handle for easy portability!

RELATED: The Elliptical vs. the Treadmill: Which Is Better for You?

The fitness and product experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test sports equipment year-round ranging from rowing machines to dumbbells and exercise bikes.

When researching and evaluating under desk ellipticals, we assessed if the models were simple to assemble, how sturdy and durable they were, ease of use and whether each machine had a handle or other element to help pick them up and move them around or for storage. The sturdier models tend to weigh more, which is worth noting if you'll want to use the machine in more than one area. We also considered whether the models had display monitors and other features like multi-level resistance and app connectivity.

Additionally, we consulted ratings and online reviews to see how users fared with the machines after owning them for longer periods of time. Plus, we interviewed experts in the field like physical therapists to give their thoughts and feedback.

Tbere are a handful of features you'll want to consider before making your purchase:

✔️ Size and weight: It's important to measure the area under your desk so you know what dimensions you have to work with. Remember: As you push the pedals, it will raise the height of your knees, so you'll want to make sure there's enough clearance for you to use your full range of motion without knocking into the table or desk. If you plan to move the machine around — whether to put it on top of the desk sometimes for an upper body workout or if you want to store it in a closet when not in use — it's also important to know how much the machine weighs. Some options are lighter and more portable, while others are heavier and more stable in one place.

✔️ Features: Are you looking for a basic elliptical machine or do you want one with all the bells and whistles? Do you need an LCD screen to view your stats as you pedal? Are you planning on using it for upper-body workouts, too? Does the machine have a handle for easy portability? What about a non-slip base? Consider all these features based on your needs.

✔️ Resistance: Ask yourself if you want your machine to have multi-resistance options so that you can adjust the amount of effort and power you're putting into your session. If it does have multiple resistance levels, how do you adjust them? Is there a knob, or is it done digitally? Know your preference and what works best for you.

✔️ Noise level: Some machines can create a lot more noise than others. Are you going to be using your under desk elliptical in an office around co-workers or are you using it at home alone? Do you also plan to use it while you watch TV on the couch? Noise levels can make a big difference and are often overlooked.

The biggest and most obvious difference between the two is that you're sitting when using an under desk elliptical versus standing on a treadmill. "Both burn calories and increase blood flow while working," says Winn. "Also, both are comparable to a traditional elliptical and treadmill in that the difficulty is user-dependent based on what you set the resistance, speed and incline to."

However, an elliptical is lower impact and more joint-friendly than walking, jogging or running on a treadmill.

Amy Schlinger is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer and journalist who has been in the health and fitness industry for over a decade. She's extremely passionate about leading an active lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same. Amy can often be found getting in daily fasted cardio, strength training in the gym and testing and writing about gear and equipment like running shoes, leggings, treadmills, rowers and more.

Wendy Winn, PT, OCS, is a physical therapist board certified in orthopedics, and the owner and director of Custom Performance physical therapy in New York, NY. Winn has been a practicing therapist for over 13 years and has served as an expert contributor and educator for many fitness and running institutions.