Get Fit and Focused For Back To School With A DeskCycle Giveaway {$169 Value}

**Products received for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

Let's talk movement!

It's no secret that staying active is key to good health... but actually finding the time to work out? Well, that can be a little bit harder! When we're up to work early in the morning, and beat by the time we come home at night... where does that leave us time to head to the gym? For many, it doesn't.

But did you know that many studies have actually shown that it is not JUST regular WORKOUTS that keep us healthier, but regular MOVEMENT? If we spend 95% of our days sitting behind a computer (or lounging on the couch binge watching our favorite shows, or sitting in our car in traffic... you get the idea) but spend 30 minutes every day doing an intense workout,  is that better than someone who moves more during their day but doesn't have a scheduled workout routine? It is often those smaller movements throughout the day that truly keep us from living a sedentary lifestyle.

Let's take a look at some of the benefits of movement on our health:

• Keeps Joints & Muscles Functioning Well. Have you ever been sitting for a while, went to stand up and felt like the Tin Man--- rusty and unable to move properly? Working at a computer day in and day out, I have certainly felt this way myself. They need more frequent movement in order to be able to work their best... even small movements can make a huge difference in reducing all those aches and pains. 
• Less Injuries. Again, this goes along with lack of use and everything functioning properly. Less movements increases our chance of injuries, and our body's ability to recover.
• Better Blood Flow. Research has shown that prolonged sitting leads to poor blood flow, which can impact all areas of our health- physical and mental.
• Increased Energy. Doesn't it seem like moving more would decrease your energy? The reality is the opposite is true, movement actually increases our energy level, making us much more productive.
• Increased Focus. Perhaps its due to the increased blood flow or the increased energy, but regular movement has shown to increase our focus, memory, etc. I have seen this to be true of my autistic son, who works MUCH better when he is moving in some way... even if just tapping his leg under the desk! 
• Less Stress. Movement can play such a huge role in our mental health. Regular movement has been shown to decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression thanks to a release of endorphins.

Now, we know just some of the whys... but what about the how? How do we add more movement into our day when we spend so much time at the office, or in the car? Or even when we have physical limitations that make regular workouts more difficult? Some simple ways can include: walking more (be it around the office or through the neighborhood), park a little farther from your building, take the stairs, do simple neck and shoulder movements as you sit, dance in the shower, etc.

Today, I'm sharing with you a fantastic way that keeps you moving right at your desk: the DeskCycle!

The DeskCycle is an under desk bike that uses magnetic resistance to give you a smooth, quiet workout. Its 10-inch pedal height makes it possible to use it with desks as low as 27 inches. Using the DeskCycle pedal exerciser under your desk is the perfect way to exercise while seated at work, at home, at school or anywhere else you’re seated for extended periods of time.

An exercise bike that you use at your desk? Sounds pretty genius, right? If you have to be sitting, doesn't it make sense to use that time wisely for your health? I was recently given the chance to try out the DeskCycle and DeskCycle 2 for myself...and I loved it! I truly could work out while I worked! Being in front of a computer all day, I felt that I was being more productive by taking care of my health at the same time! Personally, I deal with pain issues that can make working out more difficult, but I felt this low impact movement actually HELPED with the pain issues, allowing me to also incorporate more of a workout some days, with less pain!

It was also ideal for my son. Again, being autistic and having many of the hyperactivity and attention issues seen in ADD/ADHD, we have found that motion as he worked can truly help him stay focused on the task at hand allowing him to work better! He had actually used one in a previous classroom before, and found that it truly did help him out. At home, this will be a lifesaver for homework in the new school year for sure!



Here is a brief look at some of the features that make DeskCycle a great option to increase your daily movement- at home or at work:

• Smooth Motion. Many stationary bikes use a friction resistance that can cause jerky movements as you pedal. This isn't ideal for allowing you to focus on your work, not to mention your joints. The DeskCycle uses magnetic resistance so the pedal motion is smooth--- allowing your to truly focus on the work, not the motion. You can also pedal in forward or reverse motion- both with the same smoothness- to better target different muscles. 
• Quiet Operation. I've been on many a good stationary bike throughout the years and some of them can get a little loud. That's just fine for home or the gym... but at work or school can be quite the distraction. Honestly, I didn't notice the noise at all when in use. There was perhaps a very small humming noise (think as much noise as you might find from a very small desk fan--- or even a computer fan)... but nothing that we found to be of a distraction at all. 
• Wide Resistance Range. DeskCycle has 8 resistance settings to best fit your fitness goals and abilities. At a 1-2, there is very minimal if any resistance. I found this great just for long term movement... easy, but constant. My daughter at almost 5-years-old likes to use it at this setting as well. At a 3-4 it's a little more of an effort put forth, but still within my ability to maintain my focus on work with a good constant movement. This tends to be my most used setting. At a 5+, I find that I truly get a great cardio workout, increasing my heart rate and feeling it in my legs. Again, no matter your goals or needs, these resistance levels will help you reach those and provide just the workout YOU need--- be it just moving, or getting your heart rate going and working those muscles hardcore. I find myself doing intervals at various speeds and resistance levels to get the ultimate workout myself.
• Clear Display. The DeskCycle comes with a display that includes distance, speed, time and calories burned. It is very clear and easy to read and understand. Beyond that though, it's versatile, you can keep it on the DeskCycle itself, OR put it on the optional stand that will allow you to keep it on your desk, easily visible while you work. I also found it very helpful that they offer a calorie counter on their website. While the tracker on the display can be a fair estimate, there are many factors that keep it from being a truly accurate count- age, size, resistance, speed, distance etc are all factors that cannot be measured without more expensive technology. This counter on their website takes all of those factors into consideration so that if burning calories is a high priority, this can help you to do so. 
• Stable Base. Have you ever seen a stationary bike that seemed to wobble from side to side when you pedaled? Chances are this was due to a more narrow base and higher center of gravity. The DeskCycle offers a wider base (20 inches wide in the front) with lower center of gravity. Even going top speeds, it was very stable...again making it an ideal option wherever you plan to use it. 
• Comfortable Pedals.From my kids or my own small feet to my husband's much larger size, these pedals truly were comfortable for all of us. They're very wide, so there's no slipping. They also feature Velcro straps to keep you comfortable even when pedaling for longer periods of time. 
• Low Under Desk Profile. Regardless of which version you choose, they offer the lowest profile of any other magnetic bike by at LEAST 5 inches. The highest pedal height on the original DeskCycle is 10 inches. This means it can be used under a 27 inch tall desk (from floor to underneath bottom of desk) but anyone 5'8" or shorter. Taller people will need a taller desk for more clearance. This is the difference in the DeskCycle and the DeskCycle 2. While all other features mentioned are the same, the DeskCycle 2 has a 9 inch max pedal height...making it more ideal for those who are a bit taller OR who have shorter desks. You can adjust it to fit your needs. At just under 5 foot myself, I found either worked very well for me, but I love that the DeskCycle 2 provides another option for those that need it. 

Regardless of which option you choose, the DeskCycle or DeskCycle 2 can be a great way to incorporate more movement into your day to day. It will improve your health, your focus and you productivity. For home, school or at work, the DeskCycle is ideal.

The DeskCycle retails for $159 and the DeskCycle 2 for $169. You can learn more and connect at the links below:

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And DeskCycle is giving one very lucky reader the chance to win a DeskCycle 2 of their own. Enter using the giveaway form below:

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