Is A DeskCycle As Good As Walking?

[Rea87]

I have a DeskCycle (the name brand one). I use it to get my daily steps every day when I'm sitting at my desk. My current daily goal is 8k (just increased from 7k a few days ago) but I got a day with 22k last week. I have exercise induced asthma and when I started in September, I could hardly get to my 4k goal every day when walking. My deskcycle doesn't seem to aggrivate my asthma.

I'm at resistance 2 or 3 normally, but occasionally go higher (there's settings 1-8, with 1 being absolutely none). 

I read a lot of things saying walking and standing is better than sitting, so now I'm worried it's not as good as actually walking would be. I got over 400 active minutes last week on my deskcycle, but is sitting (while using it) still not good, because I'm only using my legs? 
Also things saying it's so much better for you if you 'break a sweat'. I don't seem to do that when using it. 

I guess I'm mostly confused because people always say sitting isn't good, not specifically sitting still isn't good. Is there anything wrong with sitting and exercising at the same time, as opposed to exercising when not sitting?

It's good in the sense that I'm getting exercise and movement when I otherwise wouldn't, obviously, but if I were to actually take walks, would that be better for me?

BASICALLY

I'm just wondering if it's bad if I'm sitting while exercising. Like, is heart rate the only thing that matters when people say sitting is bad? Or is there another reason? Does the fact that I'm constantly moving while sitting (getting potentially over 20k 'steps') negate the fact that I'm sitting?

[Mukluk4]

Consider it an evolution.

Sit and exercise until you can stand, stand and move until you can walk, expand upon that by increasing the activity level (jog, etc.) and duration, until you feel good about who you are.

Every time that you hate on yourself (Oh I wish I looked like X) then you need to push harder.  In my experience, hatred of yourself and your current situation is the only way you'll improve upon yourself.  Once you hit a level of acceptance, then you are probably at a good point until the hatred comes back.

[Rea87]

that's... not really what I was asking.

I have exercise induced asthma and the deskcycle doesn't cause me problems the same was other physical activity can. I'm not looking to 'evolve' to running. I would need rescue inhalers for that and it would cause me health problems. I'm asking if it's better to WALK or to use a deskcycle/stationary bike. 

I see lots of things saying "sitting is bad for your health" which, yeah, I know. But is sitting while using a deskcycle still bad? Is it like walking, or is it like sitting still?

And I don't hate on myself?? I feel FINE about who I am, thanks...

[WendyB]

Walking gets your heartrate up. So no its not the same thing. Your sitting and not increaseing your heartrate.

But you neec to talk to your Dr and see what they recommend for you.

[Rea87]

...but my heart rate DOES go up?? It's literally like bike riding but in a chair... I've tested it and my 'resting' (I stopped using it for like two minutes) was around 85, and using it (depending on resistence and how fast I'm going) it was around 110-130 (I tested several times)
So, again, not what I was asking.

And my doctor is fine with it, she said as long as I get moving (I told her about it in September of last year and she was happy with it)
Seeing as my legs are moving, it qualifies

I've done about 3 hours of 'active minutes' today which requires a not-slow pace with it, over 17k steps
So it's not like I'm not moving at all

[Rea87]

Also, my A1c went from being 7.9 in september to 5.1 in January, so I know it's doing something
but I don't know if it's as good as walking (or better? since I can do it literally all day and still do my work)

[Baltoscott]

Sounds like you are doing good @Rea87.  And it is much better than just sitting at your desk!

I think walking at a similar heart-rate is probably better because you’ll use more muscles — including core muscles for balance while moving through space — and get fewer butt sores ;-), and fewer back aches from sitting too much.   But why not mix it up?  Some deskbike while watching TV or working at your desk, some pacing around the house while talking on the phone.  

Whatever you do to keep moving is good for you, so keep it up!

[Mukluk4]

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@Rea87 wrote:

I have exercise induced asthma and the deskcycle doesn't cause me problems the same was other physical activity can. ..

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As do I, but that didn't stop me from moving on from a mostly sedentary lifestyle

[MagsOnTheBeach]

Not as good but better than not using it!

Walking is weight-bearing- so you are keeping bones strong and using muscles.  

[jul9632]

I do the same thing withe the desk cycle while I work. I also sit on a vive balance thing, so it works my core to keep my upper body balanced while my lower body moves.