Written byMatthew Magnante, ACE
Last Updated onApril 24th, 2022
Today we’re reviewing the FlexiSpot Deskcise Pro V9 desk bike – part exercise equipment, part workstation. It’s designed to keep you active while performing daily work, school, or other tasks that require sitting down for hours at a time.
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Only 1 in 4 US adults and 1 in 5 high school students get the recommended levels of physical activity” (1). Being sedentary or doing minimal physical activity for extended periods long-term increases disease risk and affects mental well-being and many aspects of daily life.
But with the rapid advancements in technology, jobs that require working at a computer, and our lifestyles, in general, it’s harder than ever to keep our bodies moving as much as they should be.
That’s why I like the idea of companies bringing more options to the market that help combat physical inactivity.
Let’s take a detailed look at the V9 desk bike to see if it’s worth the purchase.
Pros
- Encourages physical activity
- 8 levels of resistance
- Height adjustable seat and desk
- Digital monitor displays your performance
- Wheels allow you to roll
- Super easy to assemble
- Foldable space-saving feet
- Looks cool
- Free and fast shipping
- 30-day free return policy
- 5 years warranty
- 24-7 customer service
Cons
- Doesn’t allow you to exercise upper body
- A little heavy
- Some find the seat to be uncomfortable
- Not the best choice for serious exercisers
Product Details/Specifications
Below we’ve included the bike specifications according to the company website.
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- Desktop size: 20″ x 22.8″
- Bike size: 37.6″ (L) x 22.8″ (W) x 42.5″-48.4″ (H)
- Height adjustable seat range: 29.6″- 37.2″
- Ideal fit for people: 5’1″ to 6’2″
- Magnetic tension resistance: 8 levels
- Weight capacity: 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Shipping weight: 89 pounds (40.3 kg)
- Batteries: 2 AA batteries required
What is The Deskcise Pro V9?
Well, it’s an exercise bike… but it’s also a little more than that.
The Deskcise Pro V9 desk bike can function as an exercise machine, bike/workstation, or just a desk.
So you can use it solely for exercise, as an activity bike while you work and do daily tasks, or a workstation only.
The Bike…
Forgetting about the desktop feature for a second, let’s talk about the actual bike because you’re not just buying a mobile workstation.
Stationary activity bikes are super popular for both gym and home and often have some advantages over other cardio machines due to their smaller footprint, lower price tag, and low-impact nature.
The Deskcise Pro V9 has many of the same features you’d find on other exercise bikes (after all, it’s still an exercise bike) one of which is a built-in performance display monitor that shows you stats such as exercise time, speed, distance, calories burned, etc.
So while you might have a fitness tracker, it’s optional.
And don’t worry you’re not just pedaling air; there are eight resistance levels adjusted by an easy-to-turn knob. The lower settings are good for beginners while more advanced exercisers can turn up the intensity. However, it’s important to note that this bike is not going to offer the same level of intensity compared to many of the dedicated and more robust exercise bikes out there.
In other words, this isn’t the best choice if you’re a hardcore fitness fanatic. But it will get your body moving and burn calories.
As far as the seat goes (pun intended), it’s adjustable for different heights and because of the gas spring equipped design, you can move it up or down with a pneumatic lever similar to an office chair. This is definitely easier and more convenient than the pin-adjusted seats where you have to get off to do it.
Pedals are foldable and quiet too which is always preferred over a noisy and distracting piece of exercise equipment.
Oh, and we can’t forget that the bike has wheels similar to that of an office chair so you can roll around. But don’t worry, there’s a built in feature that prevents this while you’re pedaling.
Related: 12 Exercise Bike Workouts for Getting Shredded
Desk features
While some may have their doubts, the work desk is no gimmick. It’s actually a solid feature and while it can be adjusted up and down, we really like that you can also move it forward and backward. The desk also has a PU cushion for added comfort.
With a decently spacious 20″ x 22.8″ work area, you can comfortably use pretty much any laptop and tablet setup and have your morning coffee or favorite beverage and some other things sitting on it too. Speaking of beverages, the unit has a drink holder on the bike portion by the digital monitor.
But if you prefer, the Deskcise Pro V9 can be used as a standing desk, which have also become extremely popular with people who work remotely or in an office. And if you already have a standing desk, the bike can fit underneath and be adjusted to work with your setup which is really nice.
Benefits of Using An Exercise Bike
Exercise bikes are a great cardio tool that offer many benefits.
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Improve cardiovascular health
According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States (2). High blood pressure, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, bad eating habits, and obesity are among the most common causes of heart disease.
Daily physical activity improves circulation, and cardiac output or how well your heart pumps. This improves blood pressure and lowers heart rate (3).
How much exercise should you do for a healthier heart?
The American Heart Association recommends a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise, or a combination of both every week. It’s also important to maintain good lifestyle habits overall (4).
Burn calories
People who do little no physical activity and/or eat more calories than their bodies need are at greater risk of weight gain.
The calories from foods we eat give us energy (think of it as fuel) to do daily tasks but the excess is stored as fat in the body. Exercise is one of the best ways to burn fat, and lose weight.
Read: Top 20 Simple Weight Loss Tips
Stave off disease
Another post by the CDC states that “Active people generally live longer and are at less risk for serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some cancer.” (5). Physical activity improves various factors of health and improves the good (HDL) cholesterol.
One 2019 study found that indoor cycling improves blood press and lipid profile and increases fat loss (6).
Strengthen your legs
Exercise bikes such as the Deskcise Pro V9 allow you to choose the level of intensity and are a great form of resistance training for the lower body.
It’s low-impact
Cycling is a low-impact activity that is much easier on the joints compared to activities like running, jogging, and jumping. Carrying a lot of extra body weight and doing these activities can cause injuries and long-term joint problems.
Check out our top joint supplement picks.
How Much Does The Deskcise Pro V9 Cost?
FlexiSpot offers two options. You can purchase just the bike for $349.99 or the bike w/desktop attachment combination for $399.99. Neither option is cheap, however, the Deskcise Pro V9 desk bike is a high-quality piece of equipment that offers many features. You get what you pay for.
The bikes ship free to 48 states and FlexiSpot offers a 30-day risk free return policy.
Should You Buy The Deskcise Pro V9 Desk Bike?
For many of us who work from home, do schoolwork online, or are confined to indoors for several hours per day, the Deskcise Pro V9 desk bike seems like a no-brainer. But it’s also a really good choice for those who are a little overweight, new to exercise, or who are recovering from an injury because it’s a low-impact activity that is safe on the joints and you can adjust the resistance according to your level of fitness.
You can exercise while remaining in place and it encourages more physical activity throughout the day when we would otherwise be much more sedentary. It’s also fun and easy to track your activity with the digital display.
One of the biggest advantages we see with the V9 Pro is that you can adjust the desktop to be used while sitting or standing. Even if you are getting more exercise using the bike, you’re still sitting down. This can weaken your physical structure and especially your leg and butt muscles, while also causing your hip flexors to shorten, leading to worse issues over time (7).
In an ideal world, we would all be super active and on our feet more, but it’s not always possible. Our bodies are not designed to sit or lay down all day with little to movement and while we may not notice it right away, being sedentary for long hours on a consistent basis is detrimental to our health.
For its solid construction, high-quality components, adjustability, and overall usefulness, we would definitely recommend the Deskcise Pro V9 desk bike.
But make sure to get the bike with the desktop attachment unless you already have a standing desk. The adjustability and versatility is worth it!
Final Thoughts
The Deskcise Pro V9 exercise bike is a really solid option IF you are looking for a way to be active while you perform otherwise sedentary activities. While we don’t think it’s a suitable replacement for proper exercise that has you on your feet, more awareness is being brought to the importance of physical health due to modern lifestyles and this exercise bike work station set up is one big step forward, in our opinion.
Whether you work from home, in an office, or need a standing desk, we think this would be a great option for a lot of people.
If you have any questions about this article, please feel free to contact Matthew Magnante by leaving a comment below.
The Review
Deskcise Pro V9
Deskcise Pro V9 exercise bike is a solid option for anyone looking for a way to be active while you perform otherwise sedentary activities. While we don't think it's a suitable replacement for proper exercise that has you on your feet, more awareness is being brought to the importance of physical health due to modern lifestyles and this exercise bike work station set up is one big step forward, in our opinion.
PROS
- Encourages physical activity
- 8 levels of resistance
- Height adjustable seat and desk
- Wheels allow you to roll
- Super easy to assemble
CONS
- Doesn’t allow you to exercise upper body
- Not the best choice for serious exercisers
- Not the best choice for serious exercisers
Review Breakdown
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Easy to assemble
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Features
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Effective
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Price
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Warranty