Health & Wellbeing

Cubii under-desk elliptical trainer lets you pedal to fitness at work

Cubii under-desk elliptical trainer lets you pedal to fitness at work
Cubii is a new under-desk elliptical trainer for helping people to keep fit while at work
Cubii is a new under-desk elliptical trainer for helping people to keep fit while at work
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Cubii is small enough to slide under a desk, is easily portable and costs from $319
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Cubii is small enough to slide under a desk, is easily portable and costs from $319
Cubii is designed to provide smooth elliptical movement of the legs, while keeping the knees away from the underside of the user's desk
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Cubii is designed to provide smooth elliptical movement of the legs, while keeping the knees away from the underside of the user's desk
Cubii is a new under-desk elliptical trainer for helping people to keep fit while at work
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Cubii is a new under-desk elliptical trainer for helping people to keep fit while at work
Cubii has a built-in carry-handle for portability
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Cubii has a built-in carry-handle for portability
Cubii is designed to provide adequate grip for the user's feet when pedaling
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Cubii is designed to provide adequate grip for the user's feet when pedaling
The resistance of the device is adjustable, to ensure that it can be set to a level that the user finds comfortable
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The resistance of the device is adjustable, to ensure that it can be set to a level that the user finds comfortable
Using Cubii's mobile app, users can track their number of revolutions, distance traveled and calories burnt
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Using Cubii's mobile app, users can track their number of revolutions, distance traveled and calories burnt
Cubii is a new under-desk elliptical trainer for helping people to keep fit while at work
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Cubii is a new under-desk elliptical trainer for helping people to keep fit while at work
View gallery - 8 images

For workers who are sat at a desk all day, health and fitness can be a concern. There are various solutions for desk-based workouts, such as the OfficeGym chair attachment and Active Desk workspace/exercise bike. The Cubii, meanwhile, is a compact elliptical trainer that fits under your desk.

Elliptical training at work isn't a new idea. Gizmag featured the Elliptical Machine Office Desk back in 2011 and no doubt other versions of the idea exist. The Elliptical Machine Office Desk, however, costs US$8,000 and appears somewhat over-engineered. Cubii, on the other hand, is small enough to slide under a desk, is easily portable (with a built-in carry-handle) and costs from $319.

Cubii is designed to provide smooth elliptical movement of the legs, while keeping the knees away from the underside of the user's desk. It aims to be simple enough for people to use unconsciously and without being distracted from their work. Similarly, it is designed to be quiet enough to avoid disturbing colleagues.

Cubii is designed to provide smooth elliptical movement of the legs, while keeping the knees away from the underside of the user's desk
Cubii is designed to provide smooth elliptical movement of the legs, while keeping the knees away from the underside of the user's desk

According to Cubii, users can expect to burn over 120 calories per hour using the device. The resistance of the device is adjustable, to ensure that it can be set to a level that the user finds comfortable and to avoid working the user so hard that they begin to perspire in work.

In addition to its primary functionality, Cubii connects to a mobile app via Bluetooth. Using the device's app, users can track their number of revolutions, distance traveled and calories burned. Resistance can be set via the app, trends can be tracked over time and progress can be shared over social media. The device is also compatible with existing third-party fitness trackers such as Fitbit, Jawbone Up and Fitbug.

Using Cubii's mobile app, users can track their number of revolutions, distance traveled and calories burnt
Using Cubii's mobile app, users can track their number of revolutions, distance traveled and calories burnt

Funds are being raised on Kickstarter for the production of Cubii. At the time of writing, over double the device's $80,000 target has been raised. Having met two Kickstarter stretch goals, the final device should include Bluetooth and smartphone charging capabilities, both exercise-powered.

Backers who pledge via Kickstarter can receive Cubii at a discounted price, assuming all goes to plan with the post-campaign production process. Alternatively, it can be pre-ordered now direct from the company. The device is expected to begin shipping in December 2014.

The video below provides an introduction to Cubii.

Source: Cubii, Kickstarter

FitnessCubed Launch

View gallery - 8 images
6 comments
6 comments
yrag
"In addition to its primary functionality, Cubii connects to a mobile app via Bluetooth"
?!!!
HUGE missed opportunity (imho). Put a generator in it and a USB port on it, and actually USE that energy you'd be burning, to power your cellphone and other devices!
After all, energy wasted, is—ENERGY WASTED.
Arnav Dalmia
yrag: Thanks for your comment, but I think you did not read the article carefully: "Having met two Kickstarter stretch goals, the final device should include Bluetooth and smartphone charging capabilities, both exercise-powered"
There is no energy wasted, the Cubii actually uses your energy to power the bluetooth and charge your phone.
Bob Flint
So if sitting is bad why is it that women outlive men since women spend an average 57.7 hours on the toilet, during their lifespan while men stand during urination?
Daishi
@yrag generating power was one of their stretch goals for the kickstarter at 150k and it appears they hit it.
Gadgeteer
I like the idea, but $319??? They'd have a much bigger market if they got rid of many of the gimmicks and sold a lower priced version. I think a lot of people wouldn't miss the Bluetooth gadgetry.
Bob Flint
Sorry my calculations were way off, based on an average 2 minutes per pee x 8 times a day = 16 minutes per day x 365 x 71 (avg. years life span world wide) women spend an average 0.789 years more sitting on the throne.