If you have knee, hip or joint pain or mobility issues that make it difficult to stay active, or you despise sitting all day, one of the best ways to expel extra energy is to use a low-impact seated elliptical. Government studies show this, by the way. These little devices work like recumbent bikes, letting you pedal while sitting on a couch or at a desk, combatting an otherwise sedentary lifestyle. If that sounds good to you, we found a digital, remote-powered option that can assist in pedaling, track your progress, is ultra-quiet, is light enough to move from room to room and is so effective, one reviewer says that “after two days of 30 minutes each day, I can already tell a difference in my legs!”
Great for mindlessly working out while watching television, reducing leg strain for remote workers and beating the heat (especially now), this easygoing machine is 20% off at Amazon right now. (Amazon says it’s regularly listed at $89.99, but our price trackers actually show that it’s usually $99.99!) Not bad for a machine some say is “great for building up leg strength.”
While other mini steppers (like this bestselling one HuffPost users love) provide manual pedaling only, this digital option goes the extra mile. It’s got an LCD screen to show calories burned, speed, distance traveled and more, plus a remote to operate its automatic functions.
You can also pedal forward or backward with five manual and three automatic-assisted pedaling speeds, letting you choose the resistance to be as leisurely or strenuous as you want.
Even better, this under-desk elliptical ships ready-to-use, straight out of the box. Just set it on the ground and pedal away with no need to install or tinker with any pieces.
It’s quiet and doesn’t take up much space in the household, so it won’t disturb others while you sneak a workout in. “For the price point, this machine gives great exercise,” says a reviewer. “I have mobility issues, and I started with the first [power] level. […] Week two, I switched to level 2, and wow, it really worked the leg muscles. I could feel it from my ankles to my hips.”
Relieve some of that sedentary fatigue with this easygoing device for just under $80, and check out additional promising reviews if you need more of a reason to pedal your heart away.
“I recently purchased the ESL Under Desk Elliptical in the Blue model from Amazon. Despite receiving the sterling silver version, which I believe was priced slightly less, I found the machine to be quite impressive. It’s quiet, as recommended, and surprisingly hefty, indicating durability. The remote control and LCD display make it easy to use. Overall, it’s a decent machine, and I’m looking forward to incorporating it into my weight loss journey.” — Jus Drag’N (Random Thoughts) formally Electronics Junkie
“For the price point this machine is, it gives a great exercise. I have mobility issues and I started with the first level. Walk in the park mode I call it. Week 2 I switched to level 2 and wow it really worked the muscles in the legs. I could feel it from my ankles to my hips. Week 3 I have moved to level 3 and this machine really holds up! I like the portability of it as I started to have my elderly mother use it with her at home PT. The physical therapist was also impressed. Pro tip: follow the guidance on lubricating the wheels every so often. I used just plain petroleum Jelly and no problems with the wheels.” — V.R Morley
“I got my elliptical leg exerciser and after two days of 30 minutes each day, I can already tell a difference in my legs! The machine is quiet and seems to be well built.” — Phyllis Clark
“My wife had knee problems but wanted to continue to move her legs with no or little stress. This machine has helped her accomplish her goal of exercise with no strain. It travels with us on trips very well.” — NORTH B.
“I didn’t seem to have any strength in my legs―especially my right one. I’ve developed arthritis in my legs. Sometimes I had to physically pickup my right leg to get in the car. I was also limping. I believe a lot of it has to do with inactivity. I use this machine once a day for at least 30 minutes. What a game changer. I no longer limp and no problem getting into or out of my car. Both legs are a lot stronger. This has been my experience. It was a good purchase for me.” — lilly1241
“I bought this for my wife who works from home. She was having issues with her legs getting cramps and feeling fatigued from sitting for 8-10 hours a day. Now she doesn’t have the fatigue and her leg cramps have all but disappeared. It’s well built, totally quiet, runs forward or reverse, has a calorie counter and she absolutely loves it.” — The Grauke
The Real Deal: We use deal trackers and commerce experience to sift through “fake” hike-and-drop deals and other deceptive sales tactics. Products will usually be rated at least 4 stars with a minimum 15% discount. (And when there’s an exception, we’ll tell you why.)