review – For years, we’ve struggled to find ways to sit at our desks and exercise. There are treadmill tables, bike pedal pedals, and eventually bike chairs. I recently received the FlexiSpot Sit2Go Pro exercise chair and have been trying to test it out. Let’s see what happened.
What is it?
The FlexiSpot Sit2Go Pro Exercise Chair is an office-style chair with built-in exercise bike functionality.
What’s in this box?
Just the FlexiSpot Sit2Go Pro Exercise Chair. You have to assemble it, but it’s a lot easier than any office chair I’ve assembled because all the bike parts come pre-assembled. All you need to do is screw on the pedals, seat and seat back and install two AA batteries.
Design and Features
From product website
- Breathable mesh backrest
- Support seat cushion
- height adjustable seat
set up
Simple setup to connect seat and pedals. All needed parts and tools are included except the 2 AA batteries for the “fitness monitor”.
Performance
You can use the FlexiSpot Sit2Go Pro exercise chair in two ways: on a desk or independently. There’s a video on the website of a couple using theirs on the deck in the morning, then rolling them indoors to work behind their “buddies” desk before pushing them into the den to watch TV. While each of these use cases are valid, I doubt anyone would ever do something like this on a daily basis. But I do find myself carrying it from room to room, from table to table in the same room. It’s easy to move around with casters, but doesn’t roll as much with the weight of a person.
The seat height adjustment knob is located under the left hip, and the seat position slider is centered in the front, at the seat point. Both work as expected and neither helps. This means that if you want to raise it, you need to lift it to release the height adjustment, and if you sit and pull it, the seat will slam all the way down.
The more I use the FlexiSpot Sit2Go Pro exercise chair, the more I like it. I used to ride my bike to my office a few days a week, but missed that while working in retail now for the past decade. Sitting on the bench and hitting those muscles at the same time makes me want to ride again.
Sit2Go (S2G) is a great looking office chair with four wheels and adjustable seat height. You can also adjust the seat towards or away from the front. There’s a readout to track RPM, distance, calories, and more. Unfortunately, this readout isn’t backlit, it’s under your desk, between your ankles. Best to trust your Fitbit or Apple Watch.
While the S2G does have a friction adjustment knob, this doesn’t seem to have much effect on how much friction you pedal, at least in my testing. It might have a little effect on the readings shown on the meter, but I don’t see any difference between the settings.
One thing I find difficult is when you use the FlexiSpot Sit2Go Pro exercise chair without a table or desk. There are no handlebars, so without the safety of a table, you’ll feel like you’re going to fall unless you focus on sitting up straight or lying completely on your back. The backrest is breathable and very sturdy so it supports this, but my cyclists go crazy when lying down and pedaling. I really like this way when I watch videos. I would feel better if I had more resistance levels. It feels like I’m moving my legs around in a circle without actually doing any work, which is a little frustrating to me. I want to feel like I’m doing something.
But if you do have a taller desk, it might be a nice little break from the normal routine of checking emails and writing reports. As mentioned, the seat does slide forward, but the front of the unit is at least 12 inches from the seat point, and when you slide the seat back, it’s 15 inches higher than your seat. The seating point is probably about halfway up your thigh, so think about how far under your desk is.
I have a bar table, and I bought a 42″ tall standing desk a while back, and sitting on it, I type comfortably on my iPad Pro while slowly exercising my legs. But at a normal-height desk or desk, I lean too far forward to focus on typing or biking. In fact, cycling is happening and I’m typing.
If you’ve ever taken a spin class and sat on one of the gym torture equipment, it’s not the same. For one thing, there are no handlebars. Second, you’re not really leaning on that hill in Power Ballad. (“Come on, guys! Stand up and go up this mountain with me!” Thankfully, Marcie wasn’t in front, shouting orders!)
what do I like
- Bicycle parts are pre-assembled
- Looks good and wouldn’t be out of place in a professional office
- completely silent
what would i change
- Fitness monitors need to be backlit, detachable or away.
- Seats can’t really go over the pedals – they’re always a little in front of your torso
- Side handles may make getting in and out easier as there are no handlebars
final thoughts
When I first started testing the FlexiSpot Sit2Go Pro exercise chair, I was like a cyclist: maxed out with my legs and my weight on the sprockets. But the goal isn’t to get the most power out of each shot, it’s to keep you moving, keep the blood flowing, and keep you more alert. This means you can lower the seat and bend your knees like you would on a children’s bike and still use it. I actually sit down and pedal really well now as I type. But I still use my standing desk. If you put the seat too low, your knees will lift up and block your arms, so typing while pedaling low is not fun.Be sure to check out our other FlexiSpot Reviews.
Price: $349.99
where to buy: be flexible
resource: This product sample is provided by be flexible.
