You probably don’t think about getting in a challenging workout on an under-desk bike. I’m not saying you’ll be sweaty and out of breath while pedaling at your desk on the LifeSpan Ampera Under-Desk Bike. But I’m not saying your legs won’t be burning.
The Ampera doesn’t require electricity; instead, it generates power to self-charge. It can also charge your phone on the wireless charging pad. So, to get enough energy for the bike and your phone, you’ll need to work.
Working at your desk suddenly has a new meaning. Keep reading if you’re trying to keep up with your fitness gains but have a desk job.
LifeSpan Ampera Under-Desk Bike Review: Bottom Line
- Star Rating
- PriceMSRP: $799
- ManufacturerLifeSpan
- TypeUnder-Desk Bike
- Workout Experience6
- Specs / Features7
- Dimensions / Storability8
- On-Board Workouts & Apps6
- Build Quality7
The Ampera is one of the most heavy-duty pieces of office equipment I’ve used. I’ll admit that climbing up on the saddle made me feel a little like a child. I’m only 5’1”, though, so I struggle to reach many things.
Because of its height, the Ampera Under-Desk Bike requires a standing desk. However, we also had tall team members, like Matt, who is 6’5”, use the Ampera at his desk.
This review showcases our experiences from short to tall to help you determine if you’ll be comfortable on this under-desk bike.
- This heavy-duty under-desk bike is meant for pedaling at your standing desk to pedal while you work.
- Four different resistance levels have enough range to vary your intensity to exercise while you work.
- It’s wireless and doesn’t require being placed by an outlet.
- There is a wireless pad to charge your phone while pedaling and a USB-C charging port for other devices.
- The bike works with the LifeSpan app to control the resistance and track your metrics like distance, cadence, and duration.
- The seat isn’t the most comfortable and doesn’t adjust as low as we would like for shorter people or as high as we would like for folks close to 6’5”.
- The bike is heavy and non-folding, so it might be hard for some people to move.
- Note: The bike requires using a standing desk or tall counter. You must also use the LifeSpan App to track your workout metrics and control the resistance.
LifeSpan Ampera Under-Desk Bike Video Review
We Pedal While Typing
That is what we do: pedal while we type when testing under-desk bikes. We test out all kinds of under-desk bikes, ellipticals, and treadmills. We use them just as you would at home or in your office, and then some.
All our team members take turns working out at our desks so we know precisely how a piece of office fitness equipment works and if it’s practical to use while working. Even as I write this LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike review, I’m pedaling away on it to share exactly how it feels to use.
Table of Contents
ToggleDimensions/Storability
It isn’t huge, but it is pretty heavy and very stable. It weighs 68 lbs and measures 25.2” x 18.9” x 32.8”. Because of its weight, it is a little hard to move. I wouldn’t ask my grandma to move this, let alone use it. It isn’t quite as accessible and lightweight for some people as an under-desk elliptical like this one.

One thing that surprised me about the LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike is its weight and overall build.
This design doesn’t work well. I wish the wheels were mounted on the back of the stabilizer or the handle was mounted to the front of the bike, in front of the pedals.
When using the LifeSpan Ampera, you’ll need to factor in the floor dimensions and have a standing desk because of its height. An adjustable standing desk is best so you can position your desk to be the right height when sitting on the Ampera Under Desk Bike.

It has two front wheels and a rear handle for moving it.
I would factor in the overall dimensions for storage. It can be pushed against a wall or even rolled into a closet. It’s about the size of a vacuum.

It’s a little easier to lift from the floor stabilizer at the back than by just the handle.
Onboard Workouts & Apps
Although not very high-tech, at least compared to other fitness equipment with touchscreens, many under-desk equipment have apps you can use on your phone with them.
Here is what you can expect from the console and app that the Ampera Under-Desk Bike is compatible with.
Console
The LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike does not have a built-in display or console. You must use the LifeSpan app to adjust the resistance and track your workout metrics. Before I get into the app, I want to discuss the charging pad.

The LifeSpan has a wireless charging pad below the seat.
It’s small enough to fit your phone, but it charges your phone while you pedal. Our phones take up the entire tray when I place them on it. It’s a little hard to reach my phone while sitting on the LifeSpan Ampera Bike, but it’s nice to charge my phone when I pedal.
There is also a USB-C charging port for a laptop or other device. It’s nice to have these features without having to plug in the LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike itself.
The tray’s front has a QR code for the LifeSpan App, which makes it easy to download to your phone.
LifeSpan App
The LifeSpan app is free and pretty straightforward. Once you create an account, you’ll pair the Ampera Bike to it. Note: you need to pedal to connect it through Bluetooth.

The display in the app is self-explanatory.
The resistance is at the top. It defaults to resistance level 1, which is easy to change. Underneath that, you can change the color of the light around the pedal cranks. There are 12 different colors to choose from. This is kind of fun for a bit of flair and customization.
The app shows your metrics, such as calories, watts, cadence, distance, speed, power output, and duration. You can also see your max and average heart rates. I have an Apple Watch, and the app connects to the Apple Health app.
The app allows you to view your workout history and earn points. There is even a leaderboard where you can see how your power output on the bike ranks against other users.
Some aspects of the app, like the leaderboard, aren’t essential, but overall, it’s easy to use, which is most important.
Build Quality
The LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike is very solid and made for offices. It is available in white and gray.

Overall, we’re impressed with the build quality.
It has a 300-lb weight limit, which means it is rated to handle users up to this weight. This is a good weight capacity.
Frame
The LifeSpan Ampera’s frame is what makes it so solid. Under the seat and pedals is a metal floor stabilizer. It’s oval with an extra beam in the middle.

The frame is a big reason why the Ampera is so heavy.
Under the stabilizer are four adjustable leveling feet on which the Ampera sits. They adjust so you can ensure it is level and prevent it from rocking. We didn’t experience any rocking or shaking while using it. It feels really solid to sit and pedal on.
The seat post is also metal. It provides an excellent base of support to the saddle. It’s adjustable with a gas spring. This means that when you pull the handle on the side of the seat, the seat will raise all the way easily.

To lower the seat, you need to push against the gas spring.
This can be a little tough to do when standing, especially if you’re short like me. I’m only 5’1”, so I struggle to lower the seat against the gas spring. It’s easier to lower when I’m sitting in the saddle.
LifeSpan says the Ampera Under Desk Bike is appropriate for users from 5’ up to 6’5”. I do wish the seat could go lower for me. Our other reviewers, who are a couple of inches taller than me, also hope the seat went lower than it does.
Matt, who is 6’5”, fits on the Ampera, too. Still, he hopes the seat could be raised another level or two. I think taller folks up to around 6’3” or 6’4” and those of average height should get a good fit on the Ampera.
Saddle
This design makes you feel more like you’re riding an upright exercise bike than sitting in a chair. It isn’t as narrow as a spin bike seat. It’s wider with foam padding, but I found the seat to be a little uncomfortable. I think this is because the height feels a little too high for me. Matt finds the saddle to be a little more comfortable than I do.

The seat is a bike saddle.
Getting on and off the seat feels like shimmying up and down a tall bar stool. Sometimes, I feel like a child climbing up on the saddle. The seat is tall, even at the lowest setting, so it might be hard for some people to get on and off of, especially if you’re short.
This isn’t the type of office fitness equipment that works for everyone. People with mobility and/or balance issues should consider their limitations before getting the Ampera.

Because the handle is at the back of the saddle, I have to sit towards the front.
Exercise bike seats can take some getting used to. For spin bikes, I recommend riding at least 2-3 times per week to get used to the saddle and overcome the initial discomfort that comes with it when you first start riding.
I also recommend this for the Ampera Bike’s saddle. Unlike spin bikes, though, the saddle places you in a more upright position rather than forward, making it more appropriate for pedaling at your desk.
The fabric coating makes the saddle look nice. Cleaning the seat is a little difficult because of the fabric, but that shouldn’t be too much of a concern since I assume most people won’t be working up as much of a sweat as on spin bikes.
Pedals
The pedals are flat and have a texture so your shoes don’t slip. These pedals are appropriate for athletic shoes. I won’t use them with heels. Dress shoes might work, but it’s best to use them with shoes that have some tread.

They don’t have a strap overtop to secure your feet.
This is a good thing. If you were to fall off the saddle, your feet would be trapped, which could cause more injury.
The pedals are regenerative. When you’re pedaling, the bike turns on so you can use the resistance, and it charges itself. The pedals harness your power to produce 65 watts of power per hour. This is on any resistance level when you’re pedaling at 60 rpm.
Resistance
The LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike has only four levels of resistance. Even though there are only four levels, I don’t think it needs more. Level 1 feels the lightest; however, there is still a little bit of tension. When pedaling backward, there is no tension on the pedals. I think there has to be some sort of tension for the Ampera to generate power for the charging pad and port.
Levels 3 and 4 feel pretty challenging. I got my heart rate up fairly high, at least a lot higher than I typically do when using other under-desk bikes and ellipticals.
With this range of resistance, you can work a bit harder at your desk than using an under-desk elliptical.
Warranty
LifeSpan includes a 10-year frame, 2-year parts, and a 1-year labor warranty with the Ampera Under Desk Bike. This is a nice warranty that helps instill confidence in the build quality. Assembling the Ampera is pretty easy, with the instructions found in the QR code that comes with the bike. One person should be able to set it up themselves.
Should You Buy The LifeSpan Ampera Under-Desk Bike?
If you’re looking for an under-desk bike that will raise your heart rate while you work at your desk, check out the LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike. Due to its height, it requires a standing desk but doesn’t require electricity.
As you pedal, your power is produced for the wireless charging pad (for your phone) and the USB-C charging port (for another device like a laptop).
The LifeSpan Ampera connects to the LifeSpan App to show your workout metrics and adjust the four resistance levels. The resistance feels pretty challenging, at least more so than most fitness equipment for office use.
We’re impressed with the overall build and quality of the LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike. It feels like it is built to last and comes with a 10-year frame warranty.
If you’re looking for casual office fitness equipment to use at your desk, you might want to look into other under-desk bikes or ellipticals. If you want to keep up with your fitness while working at your adjustable desk, check out the LifeSpan Ampera Bike.
LifeSpan Ampera Under-Desk Bike Q&A / FAQ
Is the LifeSpan Ampera Under-Desk Bike any good?
The overall quality and build of the Ampera Under Desk Bike from LifeSpan is well-made. It provides an excellent base of support to sit and pedal on while working at your desk. We’re impressed with the four adjustable resistance settings and the pedals’ regenerative power, so the LifeSpan doesn’t need electricity.
It also charges your phone and another device, like a laptop, as you pedal.
Is an under-desk bike or elliptical better?
One isn’t necessarily better than the other. Under-desk ellipticals tend to be better for non-adjustable desks and low desks. Your knees don’t lift as high when pedaling them as under-desk bikes.
Under-desk bikes can provide a slightly higher-intensity activity, especially if they come with bike seats. These usually require using an adjustable standing desk, like the LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike.
Is this LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike review paid?
LifeSpan sent us the Ampera Under Desk Bike to test, but they did not pay us to compile this review. We get paid with affiliate links. If you purchase through our link, we earn a commission. Along with LifeSpan, we work with all kinds of fitness brands to try out under-desk bikes. This way, we can recommend the best under-desk bikes on the market.
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