Cubii is an elliptical exercise device that can be used while seated. The brand claims that their product "enables a full-body workout experience from wherever you love to sit."
But are seated, low-intensity workouts actually good for health or are they a waste of time? Can Cubii cause weight loss? Which Cubii device offers the best value? And what was our Product Tester's experience trying it for a month?
In this article we'll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze research studies to give our take on whether or not seated, under-desk "workouts" can actually improve health.
We'll discuss whether Cubii can support weight loss, which Cubii device is the best deal and share our Product Tester's experience using Cubii on a road trip.
Key takeaways:
- Cubii can support weight loss
- Low risk of side effects
- We currently recommend Cubii
Are Low-Intensity Workouts a Waste of Time?
Many consumers who are considering the Cubii are probably thinking: can using an exercise device from my couch really improve my health?
Low-intensity workouts are defined by the Cleveland Clinic as workouts that increase heart rate but still allow you to have a conversation. Typically the heart rate stays below 50% of its maximum capacity.
We would consider Cubii to be a low-intensity exercise device, although this will vary based on the fitness of the user.
A medical review published in the Sports Medicine journal found that low-intensity exercise improved physical and mental health in older adults, with depressive symptoms decreasing by 29%.
A 2022 clinical trial found that low-intensity exercise improved fatigue.
While the methods of exercise were different in the linked trials than the Cubii provides, we consider the Cubii likely to improve health in sedentary individuals, because medical research suggests that increasing movement and heart rate has positive health effects.
For individuals who already regularly engage in low-intensity exercise like walking or hiking, the Cubii may be a waste of money.
We Tested Cubii
One of our product testers named Hannah Westerman tried Cubii Total Body for a month. Here's her experience:
The product was very easy to use. Super easy to sync with the app on my phone, set up and use.
I did not lose any weight while using the Cubii. I used it twice a week for a month and saw no clear weight loss. That being said, it is incredibly hard for me to lose weight with PCOS so I don’t blame the Cubii.
I took it on a long road trip and plopped it at the foot of the passenger seat.
By the time we had driven the eight hours home, I felt like I had gotten in a good workout and didn’t feel cramped like I usually do after a road trip.
I found that with the Cubii you need to use it for an extended period of time in order to feel a good workout. It isn’t a super intense workout, even on the highest setting, and unless you are using the arm pulls. It does however keep you active while sitting for long periods of time.
For the price point I would not purchase this product. I would opt for an under the desk treadmill to feel like I got more of a workout.
However, it works as advertised and I'd rate it 8/10.
Does Cubii Cause Weight Loss?
We can't find any clinical trials testing the effects of Cubii on body weight, but any type of exercise can support weight loss assuming that calories consumed don't increase which can have a counteracting effect.
A 2019 medical review examined the health benefits of indoor cycling, which is similar to indoor seated elliptical use, and one of the results tracked was weight loss. In all nine clinical trials analyzed in the study, participants performing indoor cycling exercises lost weight on average.
High-intensity exercise tends to cause greater weight loss because it burns more calories, but low-intensity exercise like Cubii can be a great weight loss option for older patients or those who aren’t physically fit enough yet for higher-intensity exercise (like a patient who is obese or has a lung condition).
Another potential benefit of Cubii for weight loss is that it the device can be more comfortable to use than intense exercises. Higher-intensity exercises like sprints can be physically uncomfortable, even for trained athletes, and this can lead to people quitting altogether.
We would recommend that patients with pre-existing health conditions get a doctor's clearance prior to using Cubii.
Which Cubii Model is the Best Value?
Cubii sells a variety of devices ranging in price from $199 to $499 at the time of updating this article.
Cubii Total Body+ is the most expensive model, retailing for $499.
This device combines the cardio from the elliptical with a rowing machine, so it offers the ability to engage in more intense exercise. This may be the best choice for consumers looking to lose weight or seeking greater cardio benefits.
Cubii JR1 is the cheapest model, retailing for $199.
We consider Cubii JR2 to be the best value. Given that the purpose of Cubii devices is to increase calories burned and facilitate exercising from home, purchasing the cheapest one seems to be a logical choice (especially for those without much exercise tolerance).
We haven't come across any clinical trials showing one Cubii device to be superior to another, and since all Cubii devices can increase heart rate and calories burned, it seems to make sense for most consumers to go with the cheaper option.
Cubii vs. Treadmill Desk
Treadmill desks are one of the most popular at-home exercise devices. They operate on the same principle as the Cubii; reducing hours spent sedentary to improve health.
There is extensive medical research on the effectiveness of treadmill desks for improving overall health. A medical review published in the Preventative Medicine journal analyzed whether standing and treadmill desks could improve the health of individuals with sedentary office jobs.
The study authors found that treadmill desks were more effective than standing desks. Those using treadmill desks experienced improvements in HDL cholesterol levels and postprandial (post-meal) blood glucose levels.
A 2017 clinical trial found that intermittently using a treadmill desk significantly reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol compared with a traditional seated desk. This suggests that treadmill desks may prevent chronic stress.
Based on the available research, we would recommend a treadmill desk over Cubii. Both devices are likely to improve the health of sedentary individuals, but treadmill desks involve the whole body and may improve blood flow further.
There is also more medical research on treadmill desks than Cubii, which is a novel device that doesn't appear to be clinically tested.
Cubii Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Can make working from home healthier
- Usable by people of all ages and fitness levels
- May help with weight loss
- Less expensive than most gyms after one year of use
- Mostly positive online customer reviews
- Our Product Tester tried it and enjoyed it
- Low risk of injury
Cons:
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested
- Our Product Tester didn't experience weight loss
- Seems inferior to treadmill desks for overall health
- Cheaper models require manual data input
Cubii FAQ
What muscles does the Cubii work?
Because it’s an elliptical device, the Cubii will work the quads, hamstrings and calves primarily. It’s a lower-body workout that will engage the leg muscles.
Does Cubii work?
The Cubii is likely to be effective for reducing sedentary time, and burning calories, if it’s used regularly. However we don’t believe it’s the best workout product for these outcomes; a treadmill desk would be better in our opinion.
Does Cubii burn calories?
Cubii is a low-intensity exercise machine, so it does burn calories. Any type of movement burns calories. Even walking is an effective way to burn calories.
Cubii hasn’t published any research regarding how many calories are burned per hour using their devices.
Is Cubii good for seniors?
We believe that Cubii is likely to be a good option for seniors, because it’s a low-impact and low-intensity form of exercise. Seniors tend to be more sedentary than younger adults, and the Cubii can help them be active for more hours of the day, even when sitting on the couch.
Because it’s low-impact, the Cubii may be less of a risk for joint injury than more intense forms of exercise like jogging.
Can you stand on a Cubii?
We don’t recommend trying to stand on a Cubii and use it like a traditional elliptical machine. This is not what it’s made for, and doing so can increase the risk of falls and injuries.
