It wasn't too long ago that I was reviewing a standing desk, the Flexispot E6. In this review, I explained that standing desks are worse for you, resulting in a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and other health issues. Now that I'm talking about the Flexispot Deskcise V9 Pro, will I tell you what the secret is?
The secret to not turning into an unhealthy pile of flesh is movement. I'm not going to advocate or push the notion everybody must be of a particular build or size - I can't do that; I'm carrying extra pounds myself - but I will advocate for exercise and keeping away from a sedentary lifestyle. Do what I do, have three or four long gym sessions a week, build some muscle and increase your endurance. Most of all, keep your heart as healthy as you can.
Or, if you don't like going to the gym, do what exercise you can at home. Bodyweight exercise, jogging, hiking, maybe get your own equipment. This is something the Flexispot Deskcise V9 Pro wants to help with. While you're sat down, working away, you could be burning a few calories. You could be toning up your legs and potentially losing a bit of the waistline. You could be making your heart healthier. That's the aim of the Deskcise. The question is a simple one, does it meet that aim, and how easy is it to set up and use?
Looking at the setup first, you couldn't get anything much simpler. This comes in two pieces. The first piece is the base, the bike. The second piece is the table. You fit the table into the bike, lock it in place with the nuts and tool provided. Adjust the height and placement of the table as required, and you're almost ready to go. What you need now are a few AA batteries to power the little LCD screen on the bike part of this desk bike; above that goes a rubber mat in the cupholder. All you have left now is adjusting the seat's height, and it's time to win the Tour de France, stalwart home-worker of the land.
Let's be honest, though, this isn't a machine that's going to get you into that sort of shape. In one hour of peddling away on this, set to the maximum resistance but slowing down to take a few images, I'd burned off over 300 calories and travelled a massive distance of zero miles. I was on a stationary bike, you see. The LCD had pegged me at over 8 miles, though I have to admit my work output wasn't the most efficient, knocking out three to four-hundred words.
The desk itself is comfortable enough to lean on, and it's stable. My little laptop and phones just sat on there with no issues at all. They never felt like they were going to move, never mind fall off. If only that were the case for the cup holder. I put my flask of tea there, and I knocked it over. Granted, I knocked it over when getting off the bike, so the stability is there when peddling; you need to be somewhat careful when getting on or off.
Flexispot Deskcise V9 Pro Specifications
- Desktop size: 19.6” x 22.8”
- Bike size: 35” x 23.2” x 42.5”-48.4”
- Height adjustable seat range: 29.7”-37.2”
- Ideal fit for people between 5’1” and 6’2”
- 8 level magnetic tension resistance
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs.
- One year limited warranty for the frame, electronics and bike mechanisms
I've spoken about how easy it is to put the Flexispot Deskcise V9 Pro together, but what about what it's made of? Much like the Flexispot E6, this feels sturdy and that it's been made from good quality materials, ones that will stand a good amount of use. While I have some slight issues with the desk part of this desk bike - the materials being a little more susceptible to scratches and marks - it's sturdy enough for you to put more than just your laptop on. You can even lean a reasonable amount of body weight on it, the rest at the front being surprisingly comfortable.
The rest of the machine is just sturdy. The wheels open out and create a very stable base, and it just doesn't move at all, even when I'm really going at the pedals. Strangely, it also doesn't move very well when you're not sat on it; the wheels are a bit stiff. The over movable parts are at least functional. There's a lever on the seat for you to adjust the height as required, as well as two levers on the desk - one allows you to raise or lower its height, the other lets you move the desk horizontally, adjusting for comfort and ease of use.
Once you're on the bike, I imagine the biggest problem will be efficiency. The simple fact is that if you're peddling away enough that you're pressuring yourself, you're not going to be at your best for typing. The Flexispot Deskcise V9 Pro is surprisingly good if you want to sit down and read a book, study, or watch some TV. I can't suggest it for those wanting a pure exercise bike. If you are, getting one specifically designed for that would be the right thing to do.
The fact is that even at the highest setting, the Flexispot Deskcise V9 Pro isn't going to be something that challenges you if you're already at a high fitness level. If you're already fit, it gives you a good level of maintenance exercise while working and otherwise couldn't be at the gym or outside. Sadly, your arse is going to get sore before you get tired, which is irritating. It also doesn't help that standing up while peddling is nigh on impossible due to the desk, though this is a desk bike, not a full-fledged exercise bike.
The most pressing question then is the cost. The Flexispot Deskcise V9 Pro isn't cheap. On the Flexispot website, the base price is £449.99; on Amazon, the price is £429.99. Fortunately, you often find it on offer on both sites. Do I recommend the Flexispot Deskcise V9 Pro? It really depends on what you want to use it for. If you want a pure exercise bike, I'd recommend getting one designed for that. If you want something that can actually contribute to your fitness while you're working, you could do much worse than this.
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source https://wccftech.com/review/flexispot-deskcise-v9-pro-review/