For desk-bound workers looking for an alternative to traditional active sitting options, under desk elliptical trainers like the Cubii Pro and Cubii Jr. have become increasingly popular.
At first glance, both popular models look pretty much alike, which can no doubt make things a little tricky when it comes to deciding which one to buy.
Once you look a little closer, however, you’ll soon see that there’s some pretty noticeable differences between the two, differences which may ultimately influence your purchasing decision.
In this guide, we put the Cubii Pro and Cubiii Jr. head to head, weighing up the pros and cons of each and arming you with everything you need to know to help you decide which under desk elliptical is best for you and your workspace.
Cubii Pro vs. Cubii Jr: The Key Differences Explained
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Admittedly, there are some similarities between both ellipticals.
Both are premium quality products regarded as industry leaders in the burgeoning seated elliptical market.
Both are designed to help you improve your circulation, stay active, and mitigate the kind of long-term health issues caused by a sedentary lifestyle that has led to the oft-repeated mantra that “sitting is the new smoking.”
On a more practical note, we should also point out that despite both being relatively heavy, each comes with a handle that makes it easy to move them around.
Yet despite all that, there are some very notable differences which really set the Cubii Pro and Cubi Jr. apart.
These include:
Bluetooth Connectivity
The Cubii Pro is famous for its bluetooth connectivity which allows you to connect to a dedicated Cubii app which can track things like how many steps you’ve done, what distance you would have travelled if you’d been moving, how many calories you’ve burned and so on.
You can even sync the Cubii Pro to your FitBit or a similar device so that your under-desk workouts count towards your daily step count.
The Cubii Jr. doesn’t offer this feature.
Digital Monitoring
Instead of bluetooth connectivity, the Cubii Jr. has its own in-built LCD digital display which doesn’t just keep track of your progress but also allows you to set goals and create workouts.
For example, you could decide that you want to pedal solidly for 30 minutes or for the equivalent of three miles.
You can use the in-built panel to set that goal and the Cubii Jr. will alert you when you’re done.
Alternatively, you simply opt for some free-for-all pedalling and the display will tell you how long you’ve been moving, the distance covered, and the calories burned.
Design Options
Aesthetic appeal may not be the most important thing you look for when choosing an under-desk elliptical, but let’s be honest, it’s nice to have choices.
The Cubii Jr. is arguably the most colorful of the two, featuring a predominantly black design with your choice of either purple or turquoise trim, while the Cubii Pro. is available in either an all-black or all-chrome finish.
Price Points
Design options may not be a big deal to you, but we’re willing to guess that cost may well be.
Unsurprisingly, the Cubii Pro is the more expensive of the two, costing somewhere in the region of $100 more. That said, neither are exactly cheap, so if keeping an eye on your budget is what matters most to you, you’ll certainly be able to find more affordable active sitting options.
Cubii Jr: A Review
As the brand’s entry-level seated elliptical, it’s no wonder the Cubii Jr. is the better seller of the two. It avoids many of the bells and whistles that come with the Pro version, making it a better option for focussing on your work while pedalling.
Along with the aforementioned real-time tracking, the Cubii Jr. comes with 8 different resistance levels so that you can always find a level of intensity that’s right for you, whether that’s a light, gentle pedal or a seriously vigorous workout.
Cubi Jr Specifications:
- Length: 23.15″
- Width: 17.54″
- Height: 10″
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Minimum recommended desk height: 25″
- Minimum recommended space between knees and desk: 2″
What We Like:
- Ability to set pre-programmed workouts via the in-built display panel
- Super quiet so you won’t disturb your colleagues while getting a workout.
- Comes with a 10″ footplate, perfect for those with big feet.
What We Don’t Like:
- Lacks bluetooth connectivity
- Can be too heavy for some people, meaning it’s not as portable as you’d hope it to be.
Cubii Pro: A Review
The Cubii Pro really takes the concept of at-the-desk workouts to a whole new level by upgrading the basic Cubii Jr. with bluetooth technology.
As we’ve already seen, this allows you to connect to the dedicated Cubii app, FitBit, and other exercise apps, but there’s more to it than that.
Taking the concept of active sitting above and beyond what you’d get from simply investing in a standard kneeling chair, the app also allows you to join the Cubii community.
This online social-network-cum-online-health-club lets you access live classes, connect with other users, and even form your own work-out group if you have friends who are also Cubii users.
Like the JR. the Pro model works your glutes, quads, hamstrings, calves, hip flexors and even your abs, providing a serious workout that, in a higher setting, can help you burn as much as 150 calories per hour.
Even if you’re not so much interested in working out as you in keeping comfortable during those long shifts, a gentle workout on the Cubii Pro can work wonders for alleviating hip pain and other mobility issues.
Though it’s the more expensive of the two, the added technology, cooler-than-cool design, and high quality construction all justify the cost.
Cubi Pro Specifications:
- Length:83″
- Width: 22″
- Height:84″
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Minimum recommended desk height: 25″
- Minimum recommended space between knees and desk: 2″
What We Like About the Cubii Pro:
- Comes pre-assembled and ready to use
- Bluetooth connectivity
- 8 different resistance levels so you can always find the right workout.
What We Don’t Like About the Cubii Pro:
- Higher price tag than the Cubii Jr.
- Lacks in-built display.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cubii Elliptical Trainers
Can you stand on a Cubii Elliptical Trainer?
No. Under desk elliptical trainers are not designed for standing on. Not only is it not safe, but there’s also a chance that forcing the Cubii to bear your full weight will cause it to break.
Can you really lose weight with a Cubii Elliptical Trainer?
You may lose a moderate amount of weight with a Cubii. All of that movement will certainly burn calories, and this can lead to weight loss over time.
However, it’s worth noting that the main job of an under desk elliptical is to help you move more so that you can improve blood circulation and prevent many of the problems caused by being sedentary day in, day out. Any weight loss will be an added bonus rather, and certainly won’t be to the extent that you’d see if you were cycling, running, or doing other regular exercise.
How long should you use a Cubii for?
Using your Cubii for short workouts between 10 – 25 minutes a few times a day can make a big difference to your work day and help stave off stiffness and soreness caused by sitting for long periods.
Do Cubii Elliptical Trainers come with a warranty?
All Cubii products come with a standard one-year warranty.
Cubii Pro vs. Cubii Jr: Our Verdict
Table could not be displayed.So, we’ve weighed up the pros and cons of both the Cubii Pro and the Cubii Jr. We’ve explored their major differences and similarities, and now there’s only one question left to answer:
Which is the best under desk elliptical trainer to spend your hard-earned money on?
Honestly, it all depends on what matters the most to you.
If you’re looking for the lowest-priced elliptical trainer, if bluetooth connectivity and syncing up to your FitBit isn’t a priority, and if you’re simply looking for a nice, compact, under-desk tool that can help you to stay active and stave off the usual side effects of being sedentary for long periods, then the Cubii Jr. will be more than fine for you.
If, on the other hand, you want your elliptical to form a big part in your overall healthy lifestyle (thus making connectivity with your favorite exercise tracking apps more important) and if you don’t mind paying a premium price tag for premium quality, then the Cubii Pro is the way to go.
Truthfully though, whichever one you choose is going to yield positive results. While the main thing separating the two products is simply bluetooth vs. in-built tracking, both offer a solid workout that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, eliminate hip, joint, and back pain caused by long-term sitting, and even shed a few calories along the way.
