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My Cat's Review of My FitDesk Exercise Bike

Updated on April 5, 2012

FitDesk Exercise Bike

By Samhain the Cat

A few months ago, my human bought a portable exercise bike with a laptop desk that attaches to the handlebars. At least, that's what she thought the padded top was for. It came with flexible bands to attach her laptop securely.

However, my feeder-person was quite mistaken. In fact, you are supposed to tuck the rubber bands into the pockets on the sides of the "desk" and let them dangle so that I can play with them. Also, the "desk" is not really a laptop stand. It is a cat bed.

I have now trained my human to pedal on the bike for at least half an hour each day. For ten to fifteen minutes she pets me -- yes, while pedaling; it's amazing what tricks humans can perform! -- and then, for twenty to forty minutes, I snooze on the bed while she exercises. The vibration is soothing and relaxing, reminding me of a mother cat's purr.

I will permit my human to watch TV or play video games on the exercise bike once she has finished petting me. However, I have tried my best to discourage her from using her laptop while on the bike. When I catch her browsing the web or doing light work, I hop right up and sprawl on the keyboard to make sure she can't type.

Other than the misunderstanding about the so-called "laptop desk" (which can be removed from the handlebars, but you don't want to do that, because then there's no place for a cat), this is a great piece of exercise equipment.

The "desk" cover can also be removed and washed, but why would you do that? Cat hair adds a touch of elegance to black fabric.

She Bought It on Amazon From This Seller:

More Photos of Our FitDesk

Click thumbnail to view full-size
The underside of the foam top has grooves that fit snugly over the base of the handlebars. It can be scooted forward or back and tipped slightly.Bottom is sturdy. It doesn't wobble when pedaling vigorously.Ack, a hobbit on a bike. Securing your laptop with oversized rubber bands looks a little makeshift, but they aren't in the way, and they do the job. (You really only need one.) That round dark panel at the bottom is the odometer / calorimeter (AA batteries).
The underside of the foam top has grooves that fit snugly over the base of the handlebars. It can be scooted forward or back and tipped slightly.
The underside of the foam top has grooves that fit snugly over the base of the handlebars. It can be scooted forward or back and tipped slightly.
Bottom is sturdy. It doesn't wobble when pedaling vigorously.
Bottom is sturdy. It doesn't wobble when pedaling vigorously.
Ack, a hobbit on a bike.
Ack, a hobbit on a bike.
Securing your laptop with oversized rubber bands looks a little makeshift, but they aren't in the way, and they do the job. (You really only need one.) That round dark panel at the bottom is the odometer / calorimeter (AA batteries).
Securing your laptop with oversized rubber bands looks a little makeshift, but they aren't in the way, and they do the job. (You really only need one.) That round dark panel at the bottom is the odometer / calorimeter (AA batteries).

Stuff My Human Thinks You Should Know

The FitDesk Exercise Bike is an inexpensive piece of exercise equipment that works. It's no-frills, rather like IKEA furniture, and some assembly is required. You have to bolt on the crossbar legs, seat, pedals and handlebars with a provided wrench. Make sure you've got the pedals screwed all the way in, or they'll click. My human has arthritic hands, but was able to put the bike together without assistance.

There is a knob that can be turned to adjust the tension of the pedals, although it seems to go from "too easy" to "moderate, enough to work up a sweat." No extreme mountain-climbing setting, sorry.

A battery-powered odometer on the rear lip of the "desk" tracks time, calories, speed and distance, but the latter two are in kilometers. If a cat were not blocking access to your laptop, then you could log your daily exercise in a spreadsheet which would convert km to miles for you.

The bike weighs about 33 pounds. It has a removable pin to keep it from folding up accidentally, and a hinge like a pair of scissors so that it can be folded and stored in a closet. Small wheels on the bottom front edge make it easy to move.

The bike seat is wide and short in front so that it will accommodate ample butts and not hurt the gents. It's adequate for a couple hours, but not comfortable enough to sit on all day long. Therefore, this remains a workout bike rather than a way to exercise continuously throughout the workday. But at least there's a shelf to rest a book, laptop, tablet, game controller, or...oh yeah, scratch all that, there's a shelf for the cat.

Proper use of FitDesk Exercise Bike

working

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