Trying to keep fit at home can be tricky, but it couldn’t be easier with a pedal exerciser.
This portable piece of kit is versatile and can be used to move your legs when positioned on the floor or raised on a table to get your arms moving too.
This little machine is affordable compared to other at-home fitness equipment and easy to use. It allows you to multi-task and is perfect for fitting some cardiovascular exercise into your day – use it at your desk while working from home or on the sofa watching your favourite programme on TV.
How effective is a pedal exerciser?
A pedal exerciser is a great tool for keeping fit and maintaining an active lifestyle. The low impact exercise can help reduce the risk of arthritis by keeping your joints healthy, as well as improving your mood with regular exercise.
The pedalling motion can help improve blood circulation and be used gently to help rehabilitate from any injuries.
It can increase strength and muscle tone, with upper and lower body exercises available.
Alternatively, why not try a mini exercise bike?
Key features to look out for
• Resistance adjustment: On a standard pedal exerciser, you can adjust the resistance on your workout using friction. However you can also get magnetic resistance too on more expensive machines – the magnetic resistance is quieter and means the bike requires less maintenance but is not recommended if you use a pacemaker.
• Pedals: For optimal comfort and stability, look for non-slip pedals with grips to keep your feet in place.
• Collapsible design: Most pedal exercisers are compact, but if you’re really low on space or prefer to keep your exercise equipment tucked away, foldable exercisers might be better for you.
• Display: You want to have a bike with a clear display to track your exercise performance but what it shows can differ from model to model.
Pedal exercisers for 2021
1. Vive Pedal Exerciser
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Pros:• Non-slip rubber feet• Non-slip rubber pedals with adjustable foot loops• One touch multifunction LCD display• Adjustable resistance• Workout app included• Compact designThis convenient design is perfect for fitting discreetly under a table or desk. Customise the resistance and track your RPM, time, speed, distance and calories burned with a touch of a button on the display. It also comes with a workout app to download on your phone to help inspire your workouts.Measures L16 x H12.5 x W13.75in
2. Easylife Portable Pedal Exerciser
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Pros:• Folds away for easy storage• Clear LCD screen• Lightweight steel frame• Non-slip rubber feet• Adjustable resistanceThe Yours Recommends best seller is an ideal way to help keep active at home. Use it as a bike to exercise your lower body, or in a table, hand-cranking the pedals to exercise your arms. Adjust the resistance by simply turning the black knob and use the clear LCD screen display to track your time, number of revolutions and calories burned in your workout.Measures: L47 x H37 x W25cm
3. PROIRON Pedal Exerciser
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Pros:• One touch multi-function LCD display• Compact and lightweight• Built in carry handle• Non-slip rubber feet• Non-slip pedals with adjustable straps• Additional TPE mat for anti-slip and floor protectionWith a built in carry handle, this pedal exerciser is great for portability around your home. The durable steel frame comes with the LCD screen displaying time, total cycles, distance and calories burned, all at the touch of a button. Operate the pedals forward or backwards and adjust the resistance to meet your needs, offering a range of workout variations for you.Measures L40 x H35 x W30cm
4. New DeskCycle2 Pedal Exerciser
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Pros:• Magnetic resistance• Adjustable legs• Quiet performance• 8 resistance levels• 5 function display• Non-slip rubber feet• Free display extensionWith magnetic resistance, this pedal exerciser offers really quiet and smooth pedal rotation. It has 8 resistance levels, double that of standard pedal exercisers on the market and with adjustable legs, you can lower the height of the machine to fit into necessary spaces. This display included speed, time, distance and calories burned and a free display extension means you can track your progress from your table-top.This might be more expensive compared to others on this list, but worth the price is you're looking for that extra performance and quality.Measures L62 x H51 x W31cm
5. Aidapt Pedal Exerciser
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Pros:• Adjustable resistance• Affordable• Lightweight• Compact design• SturdyThis pedal exerciser is a good solution if you're looking for a low cost alternative, or if you are rehabilitating from injury - the resistance is slightly more limited than other models on this list. Its compact design means you can store it easily and its simple to assemble so you can get pedalling in no time. Measures L28.5 x H50 x W40.5cm
6. Reviber Mini Motorised Exercise Bike
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Pros:• No assembly required• 2 year guarantee• Handheld controller• 5 auto user programmes• Compact and portable• QuietThis pedal exerciser is motorised for low impact exercise, making it ideal for rehabilitation or for people to looking to maintain or regain physical fitness without putting stress on joints. Mains powered, it comes with a controllable digital screen that display speed, time, distance, calories and the automated program selection. Measures L49 x H28 x W30cm
7. AGM Mini Bike Pedal Machine
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Pros:• Adjustable resistance• One touch multi-function LCD display• Hand and foot pedals with adjustable straps• Non-slip feet• SturdyThe easy to use Multi-function LCD computer displays exercise time, speed, revolutions per minute, distance and calories burned. The pedals are comfortably designed to suit upper and lower body workouts and the adjustable foot straps make it much more flexible for accommodating users of different sizes. The good, simple design means you can adjust the resistance quickly and efficiently while exercising with the front-facing tension knob.Measures L40.6 x H32 x W35.1cm
Pedal exerciser workouts
We would recommend using your exerciser for 30 minutes a day. However, if you’re new to exercise, it would be worth starting with a low resistance and slowly build up the time and levels.
Using on a table and hand-cranking the pedals can help strengthen and tone your arms, whilst using on the floor can help your hips, thighs and calves.
If you’re looking for inspiration, follow Coach Kim’s 10-minute workout video and pedal along here...