“I wanted to pedal slower but harder and I couldn't increase the resistance enough, so it doesn't score highly.
Perhaps I'm fitter than I thought so I wouldn't want to put anyone off because the quality of the item was good in other respects.”
“Being in an office for 5 days a week made me realise how much of my time is spent being inactive - After having a pedal exerciser suggested to me by my partner, I stumbled across the Office Fitness Deluxe Folding version. Needless to say I'm not disappointed - The folding mechanism is a simple push-in button that reclines the exerciser from its stable useable position to a folded one. Great if you want to pack it out of the way in the evening or carry it around.
There is an adjustable handle on the top which is rotated clockwise/anti-clockwise to create more/less resistance respectively, meaning you can either take it easy with smooth cycles or give your legs a bit more use. Each pedal has adjustable rubber straps to keep your feet firmly in place, however you will have difficulty fitting them in if you wear shoes; ideally you'll want plimsols or just socks - don't worry, its not uncomfortable in them!
A couple of things I would give a heads up on (if you plan to use it while you work, like me) are to make sure you have appropriate space under your desk to avoid banging of the knees. I would say approximately 70-75cm is reasonable for an average 5"7-5"11 person. If you aren't thinking of using it under a desk, this of course doesn't apply. Secondly, I must stress that CYCLING ON THIS FOR A PROLONGED TIME WILL GENERATE HEAT; if you use this exerciser for more than 10 minutes, take care handling it afterwards - pedal support rods get VERY hot.”
“Arrived promptly and although the instructions were in various languages the set up is very simple consisting of screwing on the tension knob. I have now used the cycle for a week and find it quiet and efficient. I suffer from arthritis and work in a call centre so this has greatly increased my metabolism and left me less tired at the end of the day. Would recommend to anyone who has mobility problems and needs a non impact solution.”
“I bought this to build up my arm and shoulder muscles. It is an excellent fitness tool, as you can increase the resistance gradually as you build strength. This can also be used for leg exercises, which would be a good thing to do while you are sitting in front of the TV. And additionally unlike most exercise equipment these days, it is inexpensive.”
“I wanted something to use at the office that would allow me to stay active during work. This does the job perfectly. It keeps me from just sitting and doing nothing at work. This low intensity exercise is perfect for the office, as it allows you to still focus on the work at hand. it's light weight, doesn't slide or slip away on my carpeted floor, and helps staying active while sitting at the desk.”
“I bought this exerciser for my brother-in-law who had recently undergone a hip replacement. He had been receiving physiotherapy but also needed to strengthen his leg muscles. I am happy to say this exerciser has been very effective. He has been using it whilst watching TV and his legs and general well-being has improved dramatically. Highly recommended. A very simple solution for those who find it hard to exercise.”
“"This is written within a couple of days of receipt, so I have no information on the durability of the product.
My comments are as follows:
The product is compact and reasonably priced. Compactness is, for me, a significant factor in relation to exercise equipment.
Tension is controlled by a knob on the end of a threaded screw which screws into the frame, between the two pedals. At least while the product is new, the knob is effective in making a significant difference in the tension of the pedals when I turn the pedals by hand. However, when cycling, the pedals are very easy to turn, however tight one makes the screw. Thus, do not expect to be able to make the kind of adjustment in tension which is possible using gears on a bicycle.
Others have noted that the metal part to which the pedals are attached can get hot. This is credible, as heating does occur, presumably dependent on the tension setting, but personally I think you would have to pedal vigorously for quite a sustained period before the metal became painful to touch. Perhaps others pedal significantly more vigorously than I do.
I found it more practical to pedal after removing footwear. Otherwise, sometimes at least, there was not sufficient clearance from the floor to avoid footwear brushing against the floor. The slight weight of the straps for keeping one's feet on the pedals is sufficient to turn the pedals so that the straps hang below the pedals. Thus, to use the straps, one needs to have the dexterity to flip the pedal over using one's foot and promptly slip one's foot inside the strap. Whilst it is is feasible to pedal without using the straps, I found that the strap on one side brushed against the floor when I did so, so I would not recommend using the equipment without using the straps.
The product is envisaged to be usable in an office environment. Practically that may depend on 1) how much control the individual has over their personal work environment and 2) what kind of office work they do.
As regards 1), any supervisor one has, or colleagues, might have a view about one pedalling at one's desk. Opinions may differ on whether pedalling whilst working could detract from your work performance or bother others around you. There's also the issue of whether the equipment will be there in the morning if left overnight.
As regards 2) I doubt very much that it is possible to pedal this equipment whilst typing. To avoid knees hitting the underside of the desk, I think one would have to sit too far away from the desk to type at the same time. On the other hand, I think it would be perfectly feasible to pedal whilst talking on the phone.
Even if it was not considered appropriate to pedal whilst actually working, the equipment could, perhaps, be used during lunch breaks or other permitted breaks.
In a home environment, this equipment could readily be used whilst sitting in an armchair and reading or watching TV.
Obviously, the device will exercise the legs. Possibly, that might have circulatory system benefits. Depending on the angle at which one sits, I think it might also exercise the abdominal muscles to some extent. I doubt whether exercising on this equipment will get healthy people out of breath or raise their heart rate significantly and, personally, I think going for a walk in a lunch break, rather than continuing to sit, albeit pedalling, might be a healthier option.
I understand that climbing short flights of stairs, instead of using lifts, is often a good option for office workers who need to fit something into their daily routine which may make them a little breathless or raise their heart rate a little. Obviously, one should take care not to overexert oneself and should introduce exercise into one's lifestyle gradually, especially if one is old or not in the best of health. Sometimes people have health conditions they do not know about. The user manual, sent by e-mail after purchase, gives sensible precautionary advice to consult one's doctor before beginning an exercise program."”
“My dad who is 81 had a new knee and found this a gentle way of exercising the new joint and strengthening his leg muscles in a sitting position. As he found walking backwards, to move out of the way of people, difficult, he found that peddling backwards helped strengthen a different muscle to enable stepping backwards easier.”
