The Cubii JR2 is essentially the bottom half of an elliptical — it’s an elliptical without the arms. It can be placed underneath your desk and used while sitting in your desk chair. Even on a low resistance setting, this under-desk elliptical gives your heart and your lower body a great workout. The foot pedals have a non-slip design. The 7” stride length moves smoothly thanks to the built-in wheels.

Eken MM, et al. (2020). Muscular activation patterns during exercise on the treadmill, stepper, and elliptical trainer. One of the reasons this is so critical is that not getting exercise and sitting sedentary for long periods of time can have a very bad impact on your health. Though your busy schedule might not allow you to spend time at a health club, there are other ways that you can squeeze in a little exercise now and then. You can take portable fitness equipment like a mini elliptical with you to use whenever you like.

Mini Ellipticals: What's All the Hype About?

If you live in a small flat, you don’t have the space for a full-size elliptical. Compact, under-desk ellipticals solve this problem. You can stay active without forking over money for a gym membership. Having a seated elliptical in your living room could solve this. It will keep you moving without requiring as much attention, effort, and time as going to the gym. Elliptical machines are a popular choice because they’re easier on your joints than treadmills but still offer a challenging workout. Bluetooth connectivity also allows you to sync to Apple HealthKit and FitBitto reach your daily step goal.

According to one study, sitting for long periods may be harmful, as physical inactivity can increase a person’s risk of coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer. The researchers advise engaging in outdoor exercise but note that only 20% of people in the United States do so. What’s more, its treadmill and stair-climbing settings mean you’re essentially getting three machines in one. The machine is portable and comes with a convenient handle so that you can move it underneath your desk or even place it on top of your desk so you can pedal your arms. You have arrived at this buying guide that proves you are one of those who wish to find a solution. And you have chosen to look out for the exercise options and equipment that allow you to exercise anywhere, anytime, while performing other tasks, without meddling with your schedule, without needing any significant storage space.The majority of compact ellipticals are designed for under-desk or chair use. If you plan to use the elliptical while you’re sitting at a desk, you’ll need to consider the height of the table and the profile of the elliptical. As it is usually the case with this brand, the reason why their products are so competitive is that they often make compromises. Fortunately for us, those compromises are in all the right places. So, in the first case, you just sit on a chair, place your feet on the pedals, and start moving them. If you choose to stand, use a wall, a chair, or something to help you keep balance as you are getting up on the elliptical. When you are up in a controlled position, start pedaling. The best compact ellipticals offer all the benefits of a larger one, and you do not have to sacrifice quality for size. While compact ellipticals range in price, the best compact ellipticals provide the same high-intensity, low-impact, full-body workout. Unlike an under-the-desk elliptical, most compact ellipticals come with moving handles, pre-programmed workouts, variable resistance and incline capabilities, and some even boast interactive training options. Compact ellipticals include fitness equipment such as the folding compact elliptical machine and the mini elliptical trainer. They take up less space and usually have transport wheels for portability and storage.