Looking for a way to stay fit while working from home? Perhaps you have heard of the new work "bike desks", which combine the practicality of a desk with the possibility of doing physical exercise.
Al CES2023 it will be the turn of the first "desk bike" presented directly by an IT manufacturer. It's about Acer, who will show everyone his eKinekt BD3. Halfway between intelligent and dystopian, this tool uses the kinetic energy of pedaling to power devices, reduce calories and costs on your energy bill. But is it really worth investing in an exercise bike with a built-in desk (or vice versa)?
EKinect BD 3: pedaling, lazy
Get ready to read this word around more often: “workout desk”. Literally, a desk that offers the possibility of training and working at the same time, also powering your devices via USB-A and USB-C ports (at least in this case). Acer claims that by pedaling for an hour at 60 rpm, you can generate up to 75 watts of self-generated power. It's difficult to charge two devices together, unless you are the reincarnation of the great Pantani. How about?
Anyway, eKinect BD3 (which after the presentation Today will make its official debut in June, for the modest sum of 1000 dollars) has two trims. With the Working Mode, the desk is closer and work is easier, with mild-regular or no pedalling. With Sports Mode, the posture approaches that of a racing bike and maybe you can simply exercise, or use the desk top to watch videos.
But do we really need a desk with an exercise bike inside?
I'm sure that quite a few people will find the idea of training with a "workout desk" pleasant (or at least sensible). Many others, however, may prefer to detach themselves from their work environment: if you are at your desk (perhaps in smart working) for several hours a day, something like this could be the exact opposite of what you can achieve with exercise: letting off steam, unplugging for a while.
With pandemic restrictions easing around the world, many have rightly started to enjoy some outdoor exercise again. Acer's "desk bike" is more suitable for specific niches, but even there it will have to face competition from advanced tools (I'm thinking of those of Peloton and its many clones).
Perhaps Acer may have arrived on the market a bit out of time.
