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The LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike is an under-desk solution with unexpected fun and high-tech features. Read our LifeSpan Ampera Under Desk Bike Review to discover its features and performance.
Updated: March 28, 2024
LifeSpan is determined to add movement to your work day. The LifeSpan Ampera is an excellent under-desk exercise bike that dials things up a notch with multiple resistance levels and fun tech features. I tested the LifeSpan Ampera bike while I was writing, researching, and reviewing. This review of the under-desk bike recounts my experience. The construction of this bike is very nice overall, but there were a few areas I thought could be improved. The LifeSpan Ampera Office Bike is quiet, smart, and surprisingly eco-friendly.
LifeSpan upholds their brand's integrity as a quality manufacturer. The LifeSpan Ampera is yet another office solution that conveniently adds movement to your day. The Ampera’s warranty is pretty nice. The 10-year warranty is pretty standard and not bad for its price. The 2-year parts and 1-year labor warranty are on par with industry standards, too.
The Ampera has a sturdy frame with a large stabilizer at the bottom. None of our reviewers reported any instability on the bike. I felt stable while training. Around the metal frame, you have a recycled polystyrene (plastic) shell. It is durable and eco-friendly. The Ampera uses 30% recycled materials. LifeSpan gets a huge thumbs-up from me for saving some plastic from the landfill. Additionally, LifeSpan plants a tree for every Ampera purchased, which is a nice bonus.
The saddle is a wide and soft padded seat. It’s made of a high-density molded foam that is covered with a breathable fabric. The seat is designed to be comfortable for hours of use. I’m rather petite, so the saddle got in the way of my hip range of motion a bit. I felt like my exercise would have been more effective with something slimmer. However, I think this bike seat is much more practical for most users because you aren’t as at risk for saddle soreness. It’s also much more comfortable to sit on even when you aren’t pedaling than a traditional bike seat would be.
There is a transport handle at the back of the seat. Depending on your position on the saddle, this handle could cause you some discomfort. I felt more comfortable when positioned further forward on the saddle, but this might not hold true for everyone.
The saddle height is adjustable. It uses a pneumatic lift, so I recommend sitting on the seat when adjusting it. It’s hard to push down with your hand when you are standing but much easier to adjust when you are sitting on it. I’m 5’4” and the lowest seat setting was best for me. While it is usable for shorter users, it may not be as comfortable.
There are no handlebars on the LifeSpan Ampera. It is designed for use with a standing desk. It would not make a good free-standing exercise bike.
The pedals are flat pedals. There are no toe cages or clips.
The LifeSpan Ampera has 4 resistance levels. The highest level has a surprising amount of resistance for an under-desk bike. LifeSpan did a good job of making this bike suitable for light exercise, too. You control the bike’s resistance through the LifeSpan app when it is connected via Bluetooth.
The resistance feels a little too challenging once it’s engaged. If you pedal too lightly, the resistance doesn’t engage at all, making the motion less smooth.
The Ampera is not too hard to move around. It has two transport wheels. We were a little surprised that the wheels were in the front of the bike while the transport handle was in the back. You have to tilt the Ampera forward over itself to roll it around. Overall, the Ampera was not too difficult to wheel around. I wouldn’t recommend carrying it up and down the stairs frequently. It weighs 68 lbs, so some users may be able to transport it longer distances or carry it when necessary.
The features on the LifeSpan Ampera were one of the most surprising aspects of this under-desk bike. I really can’t think of any features that it is truly lacking. If you are looking for an under-desk bike with maximal feature options, this might be it. Any more features would just get in the way of your multi-tasking proficiency.
You don’t get a traditional screen or console with the LifeSpan Ampera. If you want to track your time and use the resistance levels, pair the bike with the LifeSpan app. The app tracks your training so you can make progress toward daily goals.
The ring around the pedal cranks lights up. You can choose from 12 different colors in the app. This is a fun little feature on the Ampera. It isn’t so bright that it becomes distracting. I had fun setting my color for the day. I think it could be a fun way to update others around you on your status. Maybe red means ‘Do Not Disturb’ and green means ‘Available’.
The LifeSpan Ampera uses a Bluetooth connection to connect with the app. It has Bluetooth 5 connectivity. The Ampera does not connect to other apps or heart rate monitors.
Between the pedals, there is a nook where you can set your phone for wireless charging. There’s also a USB-C charging port for wired charging. You can power phones or laptops this way. LifeSpan says you can generate 65 watts of power per hour at a speed of 60 rotations per minute. We haven’t verified this claim, but the Ampera seems promising.
I liked using the Ampera bike for 10- to 20-minute intervals. Other reviewers were able to train for longer. I also think that I could work up to longer sessions with time. With shorter intervals, it’s nice to mix standing, sitting, and cycling into your daily routine. The Ampera is best when used with a standing or height-adjustable desk.
If you pedal too lightly on the pedals, the resistance does not engage. You end up spinning freely. If you pedal harder, the resistance engages. If you have the bike connected to the app, the app will stop tracking your activity and show a pop-up message if the resistance is not on. This was a little annoying and made pedaling not the smoothest. After my first couple of sessions on the Ampera, I got used to the resistance and didn’t have this issue as often.
There are no training programs on the Ampera bike. You can track your metrics in the LifeSpan. You can pair the LifeSpan app to Google Fit to store your activities, which is a nice feature. I don’t think the bike needs training programs. While you can use it as a light-exercise bike, it’s not on par with upright or studio cycles.
