All my life, I’ve worked in and out of offices. Whether it’s accounts receivable or customer service, I know my way around computer applications and desk-bound lunches.
Of course, my sedentary lifestyle caught up with me at some point. Soon enough, I found myself packing on the pounds and too fatigued to get in a good workout after the workday.
To combat this, I invested in an under desk treadmill that allows me to burn fat while I get serious work done.
With all that said, I’ll be reviewing the LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike.
Is it a worthwhile piece of exercise equipment? Just what does it offer over the countless other at-work exercise devices on the market?
Factors to Consider Before Buying an Under Desk Bike
You may be wondering: Exactly what is an under desk bike?
Designed to help you burn calories during work, an under desk bike either provides a working surface or slides right under a standard-sized desk for low-effort pedaling.
Over the course of a day, a rider can get work done normally and achieve a low-impact, low-effort workout through consistent pedaling.
Keep in mind that, while an under desk bike may not replace regular exercise, it can act as a fantastic supplement to a high-intensity exercise regimen.
For sedentary office works, regular aches and pains are the least of your issues: In fact, sitting too much can lead an earlier death.
Office workers suffer from an increased risk of muscular disorders, obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and weight gain.
Under desk bicycling helps mitigate these issues through promoting cardiovascular health improvements and light strength training.
Regular exercise can help reduce insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, and low energy that’s brought about by lack of physical exercise.
Essential Questions to Ask
Before you go out and purchase an under desk bike, make sure to consider these key questions:
- What budget do I have set aside for new exercise equipment?
- Do I want a low-impact, low-effort way to burn calories during work?
- How quietly do I need my under-desk bike to be to avoid disturbing my family or coworkers?
- Do I have any pre-existing conditions that would inhibit my ability to use an under desk bike?
Naturally, you’ll need to consider your obligations and goals before investing in any new workout equipment.
We suggest first reaching out to your primary care doctor before buying new exercise gear.
The LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike
Perfect for office workers that want to become more active, the LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike provides a low-impact and worry-free workout during the workweek.
Riders that are concerned about their sedentary lifestyle as especially well-served by the bike.
Featuring a super compact design and lightweight footprint, the LifeSpan C3-DT3 is suitable for any noise-conscious environment, like the workplace or home.
A tethered console readout provides details about workout time, resistance level, calories burned, distance, and speed.
The under desk bike features two rear-mounted transport wheels, making it easy to stow away after use. It rolls easily under most standard-sized desks so that you can exercise immediately.
The bike features 19 seat positions that guarantee a perfect fit for yourself or any family member.
Providing up to 300 watts of resistance, the LifeSpan C3-DT3 is constructed from high-quality commercial components and is equipped with an interchangeable seat, pedals, and crank.
Pros
- Fits under most standard-sized desks
- Seat, pedals, and crank are all interchangeable for best fit
- Monitors your workout performance through tethered console program
Cons
- Does not include a heart rate monitor
- Doesn’t include handlebars for mounting and dismounting
- Cannot bike in reverse motion
Features and Benefits of the LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike
Durable Build
Perhaps most compellingly, the LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike features super durable components that can withstand extremely regular use.
The robust bike configures well into a sedentary lifestyle, providing years of support at variable levels of resistance.
Users can even customize the bike with custom seats, pedals, and cranks in order to achieve the best performance.
The LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike supports users with a wide range of heights between 5’0″ and 6’8″.
The bike also offers 19 degrees of adjustable seat position that guarantee a great fit for most family members or coworkers (if you’re willing to share, that is).
The bike can accommodate riders up to 400 pounds in size and is covered by a lifetime frame warranty.
A two-year parts and one-year labor warranty are also provided, showing just how confident the manufacturers are in their own product.
Intuitive Console
The LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike also features an excellent console that displays information related to the resistance level, distance, workout time, calories burned, and current speed.
The metrics automatically pair to an iOS and Android app that helps riders overview their long-term performance.
Convenient to Use
Not only is the LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike sturdy, but it also comes with many features that make it super easy to use right away.
Upon arrival, the bike is easy to set up in ten minutes or less.
A pair of two rear-mounted transport wheels make the bike easy to transport or store as soon as you’ve completed the workout.
What Do Buyers Think?
I made to sure to scour the web looking for any reviews I could find on the LifeSpan C3-DT3.
Review #1
“I paired the C3-DT3 up with my sit-stand desk and it’s possible to eek out an effortless 20 miles while I work. This is very useful for the days I’m not achieving any additional exercise. It’s quiet and comfortable. I’m only on resistance level 5 out of 16 and it still burns fat,” one reviewer mentioned.
Review #2
“The C3-DT3 is very durable and dependable. I bought it since I didn’t want to jog on a treadmill all day and needed to workout while working. Still, I required the ability to stop for moments of greater concentration.” another stated, “The bike is very quiet and doesn’t create ambient noise when I’m hopping on conference calls – that is a big bonus. It’s slightly uncomfortable to get on, which might be a problem for those under my height (5’8″).”
Review #3
“Solid and dependable mechanically, functions as described.” another quipped.
Overall, buyers are pleased with the durable performance of the LifeSpan C3-DT3 under desk bike.
Popular Alternatives to the LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike
Not convinced that the C3-DT3 is the right option for you? Don’t fret – I’ve compiled some of the most feature-rich and price-friendly under desk bikes on the market in a brief list.
Mindful Living Under Desk Bike
The Mindful Living under desk bike isn’t just attractive, it’s suitable for most budgets.
Constructed with premium raw materials and solid bamboo paneling, the modern exercise bike complements modern offices, homes, and shared work environments.
The bike utilizes magnetic flywheel technology to offer any level of resistance, regardless of your current fitness level.
While it’s not designed to replace a full-sized upright bike, the Mindful under desk model provides consistent calorie burning during work.
Unlike other under-desk models, the user remains seated on a well-padded seat that’s adjustable for any standard-sized desk.
Users up to 6’2″ can comfortably use the bike for extended periods of time.
Under the frame, the bike features two nylon caster wheels that make it easy to move and stow away. The external support wings fold down for compact, streamlined storage options.
Not only does the bike arrive fully assembled, but it’s also covered by a generous five-year warranty for part replacement.
At the price, it’s hard to find a more robust and durable bike than the Mindful living under desk model.
That said, the components are not quite as high-quality and robust as the LifeSpan C3-DT3 under desk bike.
Pros
- Panelled with natural, sleek bamboo for a modern aesthetic
- Utilizes magnetic flywheel to provide precise variations in resistance level
- Covered by generous manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Seat may not be the most comfortable long rides
Flexispot Home Office Desk Bike
The FLEXISPOT Home Office Standing Desk Exercise Bike is an “all in one” desk bike that offers a part-exercise, part-standing desk experience.
Featuring a broad desk surface large enough to accommodate a laptop and multiple notebooks, the bike is vibration-minimized for long term use.
Featuring whisper-quiet pedaling performance, the bike is ideal for getting work done, surfing social media, or listening to podcasts.
The desk can adjust for users between 5’1″ and 6’2″, meaning it’s comfortable for multiple users to ride.
The bike can be adjusted with a pneumatic lever that slides the seat up or down with a gentle press. That’s right: No knobs or pins are needed.
Since the bike features its own desk surface, it’s ergonomically adjusted to provide the most comfortable and low-impact exercise.
It’s especially useful for seniors or those with pre-existing mobility impairments that still seek to squeeze in a good workout.
Ultimately, this bike is best for “fidgeters”, or those that love to move their feet while working on mental tasks.
With as little as 30 minutes of exercise per day, those struggling from insomnia or restlessness can improve their health condition.
Pros
- Ergonomically adjusted to provide most comfortable riding experience
- Perfect for those with pre-existing mobility impairments due to low-impact design
- Features rolling caster wheels for better transportation and storage options
Cons
- Seat is somewhat difficult to get used to at first since it’s not well-cushioned
Happibuy Indoor Cycling Bike
Designed with a pneumatic adjustable seat and desk, the Happibuy Indoor Cycling Bike makes it easy to work and exercise at the same time.
The seat provides excellent shock absorption, helping to minimize the vibrations that would otherwise disturb your work.
Moreover, the Happibuy features a magnetic resistance system that offers high degrees of tension adjustability.
At any resistance level, the bike offers whisper-quiet pedaling that won’t disturb your family or coworkers.
The bike is sleek and compact, offering all kinds of suitable adjustments for different ground types.
High-pile carpet, hardwood flooring, and linoleum tiles never impede the function of the Happibuy.
Additionally, the bike pairs with an iOS and Android-compatible app that monitors real-time workout performance.
Users can review their time, distance traversed, resistance, and calories burned through the app.
Users should keep in mind that the desk surface is somewhat small. While it is compatible with a standard-sized desktop or laptop, it would not be able to fit all of your spread-out files and folders.
Pros
- Both desk and seat are height-adjustable through convenient pneumatic settings
- Compatible with all common flooring types
- Offers whisper-quiet performance at all resistance levels
- Pairs with iOS and Android app to monitor workout metrics
Cons
- Working area provided is compact
Final Thoughts
Without a doubt, the LifeSpan C3-DT3 Under Desk Bike is one of the most robust, feature-rich under desk bikes on the market.
Fitted with ergonomic adjustable components and automatic workout monitoring, it’s difficult to find an under desk bike more decked-out than this LifeSpan model.
The LifeSpan C3-DT3 helps office workers to burn calories and incorporate more movement into their day-to-day life.
