Under the desk elliptical

Any movement is certainly better than none. But I have my skepticisms of it. Your burn is going to be limited compared to normal cardio exercises because you are not engaging your core or upper body. Plus, if you were to really work it hard, wouldn't you work up a sweat, and that would be kind of uncomfortable for both you and your coworkers in the office?

I also think there is always time for exercise if you make it so. I own a business and am used to long hours in the office, but I still make time for 6 or so hours of exercise a week because it is a priority to me. Even if you don't have that time, a 15-30 minute YouTube video routine at home would likely yield more benefits that a desk elliptical IMO.

Ages ago I had an under the desk "bike"...I find these things to be rather gimmicky when it comes down to it. I always found it difficult to pedal and actually focus on what I was working on. I'm also fidgety and ultimately figured I probably get as much movement just fidgeting and bouncing my leg up and down as I did pedaling under my desk.

I ultimately ditched it and started doing other things to get more movement into my day. Started parking further away from the office building. Taking the stairs. Using the break room and bathroom on another floor. Getting up and going to talk to colleagues when I had a question or needed something rather than using email or the phone. Getting up every hour just to walk around for a couple minutes or do some body weight squats or something. Stopped using my office printer for the most part and started printing everything to the admin printer in the communal area. Stuff like that added up to be of far more benefit than my under desk bike.