If I had a dime for each time, over the previous two years, somebody requested me for recommendation on working from dwelling … properly, I wouldn’t have to do business from home anymore, as a result of I’ve fielded this query lots.

And it’s honest! In any case, I’ve been doing the distant work factor, full time, continuous, and for numerous shoppers (together with my work right here at FBG) since 2007. I’ve realized a factor or two … or perhaps twenty.

And some of the vital issues I’ve realized is that, wow, I do not like to take a seat all day. However I additionally don’t like to face all day. Name me Goldilocks. Mainly, I like to maneuver round once I can, which signifies that usually, if I’m on the cellphone, I’m usually pacing round my home.

Or, not less than I was … till everybody began utilizing Zoom and all of the sudden, as a substitute discovering myself with a couple of minutes to stretch my legs whereas chatting, I used to be chained much more tightly to my desk. Certain, I may transfer from sitting to standing, and naturally I attempt to take common breaks to stretch, however nonetheless, my physique craved motion.

And the newest addition to my dwelling workplace offers a approach to just do that.

I obtained a FlexiSpot All-in-One Desk Bike (with a desktop) to assessment in late December (not sponsored! Though I’m certain grateful for the chance to test it out!), and whereas I used to be excited to attempt it out, I used to be additionally just a little bit nervous. My husband, who shares the workplace with me, wasn’t tremendous thrilled about including one other piece of furnishings to the house. And whereas I knew I’d like the flexibility to maneuver my physique with out stepping away from my display screen, I wasn’t certain how a lot coordination typing whereas pedaling would require. Hey, I’ve fallen off a stationary bike earlier than, and that was with out making an attempt to do any brainy duties on prime of spinning, you recognize?

Happily, each considerations have been rendered just about moot proper off the bat. The bike takes up much less house than we’d imagined, and once I’m executed getting in my each day miles, I roll it over to the facet of my desk, the place it tucks away fairly neatly.

And, as for typing, my highschool keyboarding trainer, Miss B., can be proud. (I do know, I do know, keyboarding class outs me as a lady of a sure age right here. I’m superb with that! Center age is superior!) My typing isn’t fairly as speedy as it’s once I’m seated or standing, however it’s nonetheless regular — and correct. I do discover that I desire to take a seat or stand once I’m engaged on a narrative that requires actually deep, inventive considering. Nonetheless, for simpler or extra simple duties, like answering emails or studying, I can cowl a number of theoretical floor whereas knocking out my deadlines!

So how a lot biking am I actually doing? I’ve made some extent to start out out slowly to verify I don’t trigger any overuse accidents (and to scale back the chance of it seeming like, you recognize, arduous work, which could dampen my enthusiasm), and nonetheless, over the course of January, I logged over 200 miles! Hitting 10 to fifteen miles a day on any given workday is a cinch; even at a very leisurely tempo, that’s completed inside an hour or so. I attempt to differ my resistance a bit, and whereas I don’t pay an excessive amount of consideration to my pace, each from time to time, earlier than I take a break, I’ll do quick dash to get my coronary heart charge up or hit the following distance milestone.

One notice on this: the bike tracks journey and complete mileage, time, pace, RPMs, and energy by itself show, and it doesn’t pair with an app or watch or something. Personally, that’s a professional in my e-book — I’ve sufficient issues which are related for monitoring, and if I need to use the bike for a legit exercise that I need to present up on Strava, I’ll begin it manually on my watch, you recognize? However, for my formidable step counters, you must know that my watch doesn’t routinely rely my spinning as any steps. It doesn’t trouble me, however I understand some folks really feel extra strongly about capturing that information.

The opposite factor that’s so cool about this specific bike with the connected desktop is that it simply rolls anyplace in my home. For many duties, I nonetheless wish to arrange in my workplace with my twin displays, my ergonomic keyboard, and all my reference supplies close by. (In scripting this, I’m starting to understand I’m just a little specific. Hmm.) However, hey, who doesn’t wish to shake issues up from time to time? I’ve rolled my desk bike into the lounge once in a while to work from my laptop computer with a barely completely different view, and let me inform you, it certain beats working from a hunched over place on the sofa.

Now, though I haven’t used my FlexiSpot desk bike for any severe exercises, on a number of events I’ve labored up just a little sweat — and I understand that is likely to be just a little extra of a problem (particularly right here in Florida) in the summertime. Happily, most individuals I meet with by video have zero drawback with me wanting just a little raveled; if something, it’s led to them asking extra about my expertise with the desk bike! Nonetheless, in case you’re somebody who must look polished {and professional} in the course of the day, you would possibly have to plan your desk bike use round vital conferences, so preserve that in thoughts in case you’re contemplating an improve like this.

Significantly, y’all, I believed this could in all probability be fairly cool, however it’s completely smashed my expectations. On the times once I make good use of it (which, at this level, is most work days), my temper is best, and since my physique tends to really feel higher with constant, light motion, it’s even helped with a few of my knee and again ache (though that’s particular to my expertise with osteoarthritis and low again sprain — I’m not suggesting it as a remedy for anybody else’s points!). I would’ve anxious about how I’d work this into my days, and whether or not I’d keep it up, however now I’m extra anxious about what I’d do if it have been taken away.

Received questions? Wish to share the way you’ve upgraded your own home workplace? Let’s hear it! —Kristen