Do you have a job or hobby that has you at a desk for hours on end? Ever worry about your physical wellness being impacted by how much time you spend sitting? 

I know I do! 

You probably already know that sitting too much isn’t good for you. While I was working full-time, sitting at a desk all day, the inactivity concerned me. Even now, when I work for myself, I’m often at my computer writing, paying bills, scheduling appointments, etc. 

In addition, my hobby is knitting which I do while sitting, although I try to limit that to less than an hour per day.

This had me brainstorming how to exercise while I sit. I looked at various methods of exercise you can do while sitting. Because I want to be free to use my hands it would have to be a lower body workout, so no arm circles, or lifting dumbbells while sitting.

My mom watches television while riding a stationary bike. You know that is a great way to keep from being a couch potato! Especially if you love to binge-watch drama series. 

Although my mom was on to something, a big stationary bike wasn’t an option for me. Mainly because I didn’t want a huge piece of exercise equipment in my living room. Plus, I needed to be able to use it at my desk as well as in the living room where I knit each night.

Building on her idea, I started searching for a pedaling machine that would fit under my desk or in front of a chair. I got some mixed feedback when I asked around. Still, I decided to try the Cubii Jr 1. because I was determined to increase my heart rate while I knit or work on my computer.

Standing to work at my computer might be better than sitting, but it isn’t cardio!

Standing Desk vs. Exercise While Sitting

Both my husband and I believe in and each of us has stand-up desks. My husband started using a stand-up desk back in 2016. Some of his coworkers even joined him. 

However, standing in one spot for long periods of time has drawbacks.

Using a stand-up desk for hours every day may lead to swollen ankles or even varicose veins. Standing at a desk can also lead to back pain if you aren’t maintaining good posture. Many people hunch their upper back at a stand-up desk because they’re trying to type or aren’t close enough to the computer monitor. 

So if you use a stand-up desk, make sure to keep your back straight and practice good form to prevent pain.

Still, it’s not exercising. 

When I stand at my desk I’d try to do calf raises but not many because moving up and down while looking at a computer monitor wasn’t ideal.

Using the pedal exerciser, I am working on several muscle groups including my glutes, calves, hamstrings, quadriceps, and even my hip flexors. Not bad for such a small workout machine.

Cycling, while I’m working on my computer, allows my upper body to remain stable while my lower body pedals away! Surprisingly, I’m even coordinated enough to pedal while knitting. 

On a side note, when trying to find ideas for exercising while knitting I discovered that many people walk and knit at the same time! Crazy, right? I haven’t tried that one yet.

Because the Cubii Jr 1 is portable, with a compact design, and has a built-in handle, I’m able to easily move it from my workspace to my living room. This functionality allows me to work out wherever I happen to be sitting. I store it under my desk when I’m not using the machine.

The Solution: Exercise You Can Do While Sitting

Cubii Jr. 1 exercise machine allows you to practice healthy habits while you sit. I was curious if the Cubii would get my heart rate during a knitting workout. 

It’s practically noiseless, so if you’re on a Zoom call or just trying to enjoy the peace and quiet, you won’t be disturbed. The elliptical has an LCD monitor that shows your progress so you can track your calories, or distance, in Cronometer or MyFitnessPal or whatever you use.

The machine came with 2 wheel stoppers that can be inserted under your desk chair wheels so your chair doesn’t slide back while you’re pedaling. I didn’t need to use those, however, because my chair was pretty stable without them.

My 45-60 Minute Workout using Cubii

When I first started using my Cubii Jr 1, our Corgi was very curious! She barked at the pedals and knocked over my water bottle to get at the machine. Eventually, she lost interest and now I’m able to workout without her interference! You can see her hanging around my Cubii in this video.

When I am at my desk, I’ll set a time for 20 minutes and start pedaling my Cubii Jr 1 on level two. After the first timer goes off, I dial it up to level four for another 10 minutes, then up to level five for another 15 minutes. At that point, I stand up and take a break from my desk by getting out of my office chair to do about 20 modified jumping jacks on my rebounder. Sometimes instead of the rebounder, I’ll do twelve curtsey lunges on each side. 

I only do one workout like this during my workday. For example, I’ll complete the above-described low-impact workout when I first start my workday. Then I might take my dog for a walk, have a cup of tea, or whatever. When I return to my desk, I might still pedal while I work, but I don’t see the timers. 

Simple exercises like this don’t take the place of a full-body workout like the ones I do with kettlebells or a class at my gym, like Bodypump, but it does help me get in a bit more movement while I’m sitting down anyways.

So how do you find the balance between sitting down and standing?

As I mentioned before, I do have a stand-up desk, but I don’t just stand up all day working at my computer. That starts to wear on my body. I end up shifting weight from my right leg to my left leg and back again, just because it’s hard to stand in one frame for so long.

So I take little breaks throughout the workday, walk around, get a drink of water, etc. Sit for a while, stand for a while, pedal a bit, take a break, and a short walk. That sort of thing. It’s also good for your eyes to take a break from the computer screen from time to time.

Even if you have a stand up desk, you probably wouldn’t want to just stand all day. Your knees, ankles, hips and back may start to feel stiff. It’s nice to have the Cubii elliptical under the desk for the times you choose to sit down.

Review of the Cubii Jr1 Under Desk Elliptical Machine

My husband opened the box and put my Cubii Jr1 together in about 5 minutes! I didn’t even know it had arrived and he already had it open and put together, so sorry you didn’t get to see that in my video. 

However, I can tell you that using the Cubii Jr1 is pretty simple and straightforward:

1. Set the elliptical trainer wherever you want to workout
2. Turn the dial to select your resistance level (visible on the LCD screen)
3. Start pedaling.

The Cubii Jr1 has an ergonomic design that is easy to lift and move around. The Cubii Jr1 comes in black with aqua blue accents.

A whisper-quiet workout that will not interrupt your workday or anything else you’re doing. Adjustable resistance goes from levels 1-8 so you can find the home workout that’s right for you. 

The compact elliptical takes up much less space than a stationary exercise bike and comes with a workout mat that keeps the machine from slipping around the floor. All you’ll need to put it together is a screwdriver and you’re ready to burn calories while you sit! 

Adding a mini elliptical to your home gym will help you get fit and stay healthy. 

Wellness Platform & Community

If you were so inclined, you could also use Cubii’s Studio Plus to have access to live classes with personal trainers. I didn’t use Studio Plus because I wanted to pedal while I’m working. However, I did browse through the variety of classes available.

Join the Cubii Communitii to share your progress and motivate fellow striders to reach their health and wellness goals. Try Cubii Studio+, our new wellness platform that includes live and on-demand exercise classes. All workouts are taught by expert trainers who teach various class types. With classes that range from five to 30 minutes long, find the perfect workout to fit seamlessly into your schedule. Save when you purchase an annual subscription and meet the new you who loves to get fit while you sit!

Cubii products have a one-year warranty and free returns (make sure to checkout the return policy and use their form for requesting a shipping label).

I give the Cubii Jr1 a 5 star rating. 

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