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67 of 69 found the following review helpful:
 Great Idea, Top-Rate Customer Service Sep 30, 2010
By Jessica Reeves
This is such a great idea for fitting exercise into a busy schedule. I am currently in my last year of graduate school, in a program that is strictly online. Before I found this product I spent a good chunk of time sedentary, and gained more than a few pounds. But with regular use, I lost about 10 lbs in the first month, a total 30 lbs so far, and managed to maintain my weight over 6 months.
FitDesk is a small company that actually listens to its consumers. I have had to opportunity to use both the original (2010) and new (2011) models of this product and am truly pleased with the updates and improvements made on this fundamentally great idea. The company is quick to respond to questions and suggestions (always within 24 hrs) and seems genuine in wanting to produce a reputable product that meets the expectations of the consumer. This type of customer service is much appreciated and makes this company stand out from its competition.
The design of the bike is simple, yet effective. The bike mechanism is sturdy and quiet. It is quieter than any stationary bike, or other stationary fitness machine I have used at home or at the gym (e.g. treadmill, stair climber, or elliptical machine). One can easily work out in the same room as a sleeping spouse.
The new 2011 model has made quite a few improvements on the original design. The most noticeable (an appreciated) being the seat. For anyone not used to spending any length of time on a bike seat, doing so can be quite uncomfortable. But the new model comes with a cushioned, wider seat. Like any bike seat, it will take some conditioning to get used to the feel, but anyone who has used the 2010 model will immediately notice this improvement.
The designers have added a safety bar that locks the machine into an "open" or "closed" position. This feature paired with the nylon strap ensures that the bike stays in the position it was intended to for proper use. I like the added confidence these points offer. When in the locked "closed" position the machine can be moved and stored easily thanks to the addition of wheels on the base support.
There are updates to the foot pedals, body color, logo, and desk cover that really add a pleasing aesthetic to the look of the machine. Not only is the bike appealing because of the ingenious concept, but it looks sharp too!
The only suggestion I have is updating the means of securing a laptop to the desk. Currently, large rubber bands are provided, and serve their purpose, but take away from the new sleek design. But, honestly, this is not a huge concern because of the angle at which the desk sits on the bike. The laptop is not in a position to slide and a lip has been added to the lower part of the desk to add some resistance.
All in all, this is a great idea that really has been improved. And you will get a workout. I always work up a sweat and raise my heart rate. And now, with the timer/calorie counter/speed/distance monitor, I have a better idea of just how much physical activity I am doing. In fact, I find it easier to work out on my Fitdesk bike than jogging, because I can distract myself into working out longer by using my laptop. I can easily work out for an hour on the Fitdesk bike, while I find myself counting down the minutes of my jogs.
35 of 37 found the following review helpful:
 Better than sitting still but... Dec 12, 2011
By Constant Reader
I am surprised at the number of 4- and 5-star reviews this product has gotten. I am really being generous in giving it 3-stars as it has some major limitations. As an exercise bike, it is pretty poor. The resistance mechanism is not fluid, by that I mean that the resistance varies somewhat depending on the position of the pedals. This makes it very difficult to get a consistent pedaling rhythym, and also makes it hard to get a solid workout. For people looking for a minimal physical output -- ie just a little more than sitting still -- it is fine. For any kind of serious exercise though it is not ideal. I should mention that I am an avid mountain bike rider and I also ride exercise bikes at the Y regularly.
Another issue is that the bike is very small. I am only 6' 0" and the seat is not able to adjust high enough for me. I think this is by design as the bike is pretty unstable, at higher extensions it may be too wobbly. In any case though it is impossible for me to ride it with proper leg extension.
Finally, the computer is junk. It looks like they bought some surplus Sony DiscMan CD player cases and stuck the LCD display for the bike inside. It is huge, about ten times larger than it needs to be. Mine was dead on arrival anyway, so I did not worry too much about the size. If I was this company I would simply leave the computer out as it is insultingly poor quality even at this rather low price point.
In summary, if you are looking for a very light workout while working on your laptop, and you are fairly short, this may be a good match for you. If you want a real workout though, you may need to pay more money.
EDIT -- Wow, so many comments. For those of you arguing that the FitDesk is good enough for a light workout, please re-read my review -- I agree with you! My main complaint though -- which nobody, including the product's manufacturer has commented on -- is that the rotation is not fluid, it is very uneven or "clunky". Whether you want a light workout or a heavy one, having a smooth rotational feel is essential IMO.
37 of 40 found the following review helpful:
Great for WAHMs Sep 21, 2011
By L. Howard
"lisa2004"
I bought my FitDesk a few months ago and I absolutely love it! In fact, I'm riding it right now while writing this review. If you spend a lot of time on the computer and need to lose a few pounds, this bike is a great way to do it. It's easy to set up (even for mechanically challenged moms like myself), lightweight enough to move from room to room if you want to, and so quiet that you'll barely be able to hear yourself pedaling. Others have mentioned problems with the seat, but I think it's pretty comfortable. I can ride for at least an hour without feeling uncomfortable.
The desk portion that holds the laptop is lightweight, but it's very steady and holds the computer securely. I agree with commenters who have said it would be nice to have something better than a large rubber strap to hold the computer, but only because rubber will wear out. The band itself is very secure and easy to slip on and off, but I am seeing signs of wear after having it consistently stretched across the desk for months. (Of course, I could take the strap and computer off my FitDesk every night, but I ride every single day, so it's easier to just leave everything in place so I don't have to set it up again in the morning.)
In the first two weeks, even before I started paying attention to how long I was riding or how many calories I was burning, I noticed a difference in the way my clothes fit. Now I'm paying more attention to how many calories I'm burning and I'm losing about a pound a week without any real effort (i.e., no dieting!). I absolutely love this machine! It's the first piece of exercise equipment I've ever owned that I haven't gotten bored with. I love being able to work out while I work because it's such a time saver.
Finally, I have to agree with others who have mentioned the customer service. Steve, the inventor of FitDesk, will answer your call or email himself. Some day he'll probably have a huge company because this is such an awesome invention and then he won't have time to talk to customers himself, but for the moment, he's the best customer service rep you'll ever talk to because he believes in his product and is doing everything he can to make it even better.
Would I recommend this product? ABSOLUTELY! If you want to lose weight and get fit, go buy it now!
56 of 63 found the following review helpful:
The Fitdesk ROCKS for home offices and Internet workers May 02, 2011
By Scott Fox - Author of Internet Riches & e-Riches 2.0
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3294XV88V7WDI How can you stay fit while also pecking away at that keyboard all day?
The Fitdesk is a great answer to this health problem that faces so many of us today.
If you have a home office or can find just a little space in your workplace, this innovative exercise bike gives you a stable place to put your laptop while comfortably pedaling your way to better health.
And the many features (lightweight but solid construction, resistance control, distance/calorie computer, collapsible for easy storage, comfortable seat, adjustability, etc.) make it a good value, too.
Of course you could use it after-hours to catch up on your email, Facebook, Netflix or video games, too.
After I received this bike to review it took less than 1/2 hour to put it together using the easy to follow instructions. Then I got on and was riding for 40+ minutes the first time before I even noticed!
The Fitdesk is a great investment in your health and productivity. Working out while working is a great one-two punch that I'm excited to continue.
Watch my VIDEO here on Amazon for a more detailed review that explains the criteria I think are important when purchasing a new exercise bike like this.
(Or visit my blog or Youtube for my additional video that walks through the parts and assembly process for the Fitdesk, too.)
Scott Fox
ClickMillionaires.com
13 of 13 found the following review helpful:
FitDeskX Jan 29, 2012
By Ethan
I got the FitDesk X about a week ago. It arrived promptly and was reasonably easy to assemble. Overall, it is an excellent quality product. However, there are a couple of serious limitations. For myself personally, being 6 feet tall, the bike does not have a height setting which will allow me proper extension of my legs. This sort of bugs me because it could be easily remedied by adding another couple of inches of metal to the seat stand. Also, as noted in other reviews, the straps for holding your laptop on the desk are really just giant rubber bands. Velcro would be a much better option for this since the current straps make it difficult to get your laptop on and off. Also, I believe the computer is wildly inaccurate in terms of speed, distance and calories burned, not that this really matters to me. It tells me that I burn about 2000 calories per hour, which I strongly doubt. Other than this, the bike is pretty excellent. The seat is perfectly comfortable for me, despite what other reviewers have said, and although the desk is made of foam, I see this as a positive aspect due to it being soft and comfortable to rest on.
Pros:
-Excellent for exercise
-Easy to get used to using
-Easy assembly
Cons:
-Not good for people 5'10" or taller
-Inconvenient straps for holding objects on the desk
-Inaccurate computer
See all 105 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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