It seems like everyone has a standing desk nowadays, and under-desk treadmills and walking pads have taken over the workplace (and social media). But some brands are pushing the under-desk exercise trend to new extremes. The Cubii Total Body+ is an under-desk elliptical. Until I encountered Cubii, I’d never considered such a thing.
For the uninitiated, under-desk bikes also exist. The main challenge to this sort of under-desk device is the height of the desk. If the cycle path is too large, your knees might knock against the bottom of your desk. The Cubbii Total Body+ solves this problem with the elliptical path, reducing the height of your knees’ movement.
Whether you are deeply into your research on under-desk ellipticals or as new to them as I was before meeting the Cubii Total Body+, you need to check out the rest of this review to decide if this little machine is to be the latest addition to your office space.
Cubii Total Body+ Review: Bottom Line
Dimensions/Storability
Because the Cubii Total Body+ is lightweight, you can carry it using the black nylon handle on the back or wheel it around with the two rear transportation wheels by using the front built-in handle to tip up the front end.
The wheels make it easier to move and position in front of your chair.
I will say it took me a little longer than expected to get into a good position while using the Total Body+. I’m only about 5’1″, and I have short legs, so I had to lower my office chair and sit closer to the edge of my seat to fully use the pedals. Our taller reviewers didn’t have a problem and required less adjusting to get started.
Most people will be able to reach the pedals and use them under a desk without any issues.
The Total Body+ also comes with a wheel stopper, so you can use it with a wheeled office chair. It fits at the bottom of the frame below the screen. You place one wheel of your chair in it to keep your chair from moving around. This is especially helpful to get a good placement of the wheels, especially if you’re using the Cubii on hard floors.
As you can see, the Cubii’s dimensions of 25.2″ L x 17.6″ W x 10.1″ H allow it to be used practically anywhere.
Onboard Workouts & Apps
There are no onboard training programs for the Cubii Total Body+, but you can download the free app for more training options.
Cubii App
The Cubii Total Body+ is Bluetooth enabled to use with the Cubii App. I will say for a free training app, Cubii has a lot of content! The app connects through your device to the Cubii Total Body+ to track your metrics, see your progress, and get guidance while you’re using it.
The Cubii Studio+ is where you’ll find classes led by instructors. There are over 300 trainer-led videos! You can take classes made for stretching, and strength, as well as fully seated and standing plus seated classes. You’ll never stand on the Cubii though because it isn’t meant to be used while standing.
Classes are available in different durations, and they come with music built in that plays in the background. I was pleasantly surprised by the amount and quality of classes on the Cubii App. It’s beneficial if you want some guidance and motivation when using the Cubii.
Console
It is decent-sized and displays your strides, time, distance, resistance, calories, and RPMs. The distance can be changed between miles and kilometers. You’ll use the mode button below the screen to do this, and for changing between some of the metrics displayed. The user button is where you can switch between profiles. There are two user profiles and a guest mode.
The console is a backlit LCD screen that’s built into the Cubii below the handles.
You do have to look down at your feet to read the screen, but it’s large enough to see everything fairly well. The console and resistance require a charge to use. The Cubii comes with a wall plug to charge it. I’ve found that ours holds a charge well, so you don’t have to worry about using it near an outlet all the time.
Build Quality
The overall construction of the Cubii Total Body+ is pretty standard compared to other seated elliptical machines. It has a small footprint, so it should fit under most tables and desks. This makes the Cubii beneficial to those with limited space. The Total Body+ is also designed to work for pretty much anyone.
Frame
It’s longer than it is wide and not very tall, which makes it best for most spaces. The frame is plastic with a metal base and only weighs 19.3 lbs. Since it is only meant to be used when seated rather than standing, it feels plenty solid. It sits directly on the floor, so we didn’t expect it to be made entirely of metal because this would make it heavier and less easy to move around.
The frame of the Total Body+ is a square(ish) shape.
The frame has rubber on the bottom, so you don’t have to worry about it sliding around or scratching your floor.
Pedals
They’re textured so your feet won’t slip, and they have a raised ridge that wraps around the front and sides to help keep your feet from sliding off the front.
The pedals are flat and oversized to work with any type of athletic shoe and most sized feet.
The pedals move in a circular lateral motion that’s low impact. This pattern makes for some ankle flexion throughout the stroke, while working your lower body. The motion of the pedals is smooth, and consistent while not taking up a lot of space through the entire stroke.
Resistance
The Cubii comes with 12 different resistance levels. It uses magnetic resistance that feels smooth and quiet. You can very slightly hear the resistance change, but it’s very quiet overall. You have to bend forward and use the “minus” and “plus” buttons on the console to change the resistance level. The level is shown on the LCD screen.
The amount of resistance isn’t as great as traditional elliptical machines, as far as tension, but you can notice a difference when shifting from high to low resistances and vice versa.
It isn’t the most amount of tension to push your legs against, but it is plenty, considering how small and compact the Total Body+ is. A lot of tension also isn’t appropriate for the nature of the machine and the type of activity it offers.
Handles
Because this Cubii seated elliptical is called the Total Body+, it makes sense that it has handles to work your upper body.
The handles are attached to a resistance pulley system.
The pulley system works like resistance bands and feels similar to using resistance bands. The amount of tension is consistent with every rep. The handles also retract when you let go of them, so be careful not to hit yourself with the plastic handles if you let them go.
My only complaint with the handles is that they’re a little awkwardly positioned to use when you’re pedaling.
I noticed when doing curls and rows, I have to keep the handles close to my body and let the pulleys attached to the handles extend up between my legs. The handles are also not practical to use when you’re pedaling at your desk.
Warranty
Cubii includes a 1-year warranty with the purchase of the Total Body+. Assembly is easy and most people should be fine to set it up themselves. It just requires using a screwdriver.
Should You Buy the Cubii Total Body+
If you sit a lot during the day, want to get in some movement at your desk, or have balance issues and limited mobility, then an under-desk elliptical might be for you. The Cubii Total Body+ can be used under a desk, even with a wheeled chair, in front of a couch, or at the kitchen table.
We love how quiet the Total Body+ is. Most people will be able to place this in front of their chair, whether at a desk or not, without adjusting their seat or position much. The elliptical motion of the oversized pedals requires minimal bending and raising of your knees, so even if you have longer legs, you shouldn’t have to worry about knocking them on your desk or table.
For some guidance and motivation, the Cubii App is surprisingly helpful, and the trainer-led classes are of good quality, especially for a free training app. The Cubii Total Body+ takes using a seated elliptical up a notch with the resistance handles, so if you’re looking for maximum specs on a tiny piece of equipment like this one, then check it out.
Cubii Total Body+ Q&A / FAQ
Is Cubii as good as walking?
The Cubii is a great alternative to walking at an under-desk treadmill for those who do not have a standing desk. It is also a great option for users who have balance or mobility issues that limit walking. The Cubii may not get all exercisers’ heart rates as high as they would be able to while walking quickly. However, the resistance may help new exercisers improve their conditioning.
Are there any health benefits to using a Cubii?
Yes, the Cubii breaks up the monotony of working at a sitting desk for many users. It increases blood flow by activating the leg muscles. Sitting at a desk can atrophy the muscles, and the Cubii engages many of the otherwise relaxed muscles.
For sedentary individuals, the Cubii is a great option for starting exercise and building endurance and strength. More experienced exercisers may not experience the same benefits because the Cubii is not challenging enough.
Does Cubii work for seniors?
Yes, the Cubii is a great option for seniors because it can be used while sitting down and is very safe. The handles with resistance pulleys are great for engaging the upper body, too. The Cubii is a great way for individuals with various limitations to get moving.
What parts of the body does the Cubii Total Body+ work?
The Cubii Total Body+ engages the upper and lower leg muscles (hamstrings, quadriceps, soleus, tibialis anterior, etc) to flex and extend the knee and ankle joints. There is less motion at the hip joint, resulting in less activation of the hip flexor and glutes.
The Total Body+ has handles attached to pulleys that allow users to train the arm muscles, too. The exact muscles engaged will depend on the movements performed. Check out the Cubii app for more exercise ideas.
Leave a Reply