The biggest challenge with the Decathlon Active Desk isn’t assembly or operation, but getting it positioned correctly under a desk. Thanks to its large handle and built-in casters, the mini cross trainer is easy to move. The real problem is the office chair: one with casters tends to roll away as soon as you start pedaling.
To fix this, the manufacturer includes a wheel base that keeps the chair from sliding back. The downside is that once the chair is locked in, you can’t roll it toward the desk. Getting the computer, chair and trainer aligned takes patience. If the device sits too close to the chair, your knees will hit the underside of the desk.
None of this is a dealbreaker, but investing a bit of time in proper positioning pays off. If you pedal at an angle, your knees or neck will complain quickly. In testing, we never managed to get the full setup aligned perfectly on the first try.
Once everything is in place, the mini cross trainer performs well. It isn’t silent, but it’s quiet enough. With a little practice, you can even adjust the resistance with your foot. Typing while pedaling worked on the first attempt, and video calls were no problem either. The only limitation is that the trainer can be used only while seated.
The display rotates between step count, training time, calories burned and distance traveled. There’s no app support or data interface. A nice touch is that the device can be stored upright, which helps it take up far less space in the office.