Crane Pedal Exerciser

Last Updated on September 29, 2023

EDITOR’S NOTE 1: This post deals with Aldi’s portable pedal exerciser. If you’re looking for the Crane Foldable Exercise Bike, you can find it here.

EDITOR’S NOTE 2: Aldi sold this pedal exerciser in October of 2023 for a slightly lower price of $24.99. We have noticed Aldi has lowered the prices on many Aldi Finds during 2023. 

Yesterday I picked up Aldi’s Crane Pedal Exerciser as a Special Buy (ALDI Find). I work at a desk 30 hours a week and worry about spending so much time sitting down. I’m at a healthy weight, but I’d like to get more exercise, and this looked like a convenient way to do it.

At $29.99, the Crane exerciser is priced far below comparable models, which can easily cost over $100. Pedal exercisers can help you burn calories and fight the risks of a sedentary lifestyle; but if you’re trying to lose weight, you’ll also need to diet and get other forms of exercise.

Crane Pedal Exerciser

Setup

Putting the exerciser together is easy and quick … if you read the instructions. First I tried to wing it, and I spent 5 minutes uselessly trying to screw in the left pedal by turning it clockwise … only to see in the manual that it had to be turned counterclockwise. Once I followed instructions, it came together in a few minutes. The package comes with all the tools you need and the battery for the display screen is pre-installed, too.

Fitting It Under My Desk

The machine fits easily under my corner desk at work. I do have to sit farther away than usual to avoid banging my knees against the desk, but I can still reach my keyboard. For reference, I’m 5’6” and have long limbs. I imagine if you are shorter, you could sit closer in, and if you are taller, your arms would still be able to reach your computer.

Of course, you could also use this at home in front of a couch, or wherever you find it convenient. The machine is small enough that it could fit in any number of places at work or home.

Crane Pedal Exerciser

Working While Exercising

Admittedly, it feels a little weird to pedal furiously while typing this at the same time. I can do it, but if I need to really concentrate on something, I find myself pausing in my exercise. It’s also harder to move the mouse because I keep bumping my right knee on my right arm. But it’s my first day, so I think these problems will go away in time.

The Workout

Today I’m trying out 10 minute spurts of intense pedaling on medium resistance. But I could pedal more slowly for longer periods, or turn up the resistance to burn more calories. How you use the machine is really up to you, which I like. The resistance is easily adjustable, and you can feel the difference when you turn the dial.

Tracking Calories and Time

The computer tracks your time, distance, speed, and calories. I’m skeptical of how accurately it’s tracking my calories because I’m not able to program my weight. So I would be cautious about relying too heavily on the numbers. I’m more interested in my total minutes of exercise, and I like that the clock “pauses” when I pause and then resumes (until I clear it out for the day). This will help me track my exercise throughout the day.

Crane Pedal Exerciser

The Verdict

At such a low price, the Crane Pedal Exerciser is a good buy. I wish it worked more than just my legs, but I’m glad that I can burn calories and get a little exercise while sitting at my desk.

About Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a content writer specializing in scientific research and development and nonprofit marketing. You can find her at lunalexcc.com.

16 Comments

  1. How noisy is it? My office is small and pretty quiet, so I would not want to disturb my colleagues. We’re an open office, no cubicles so noise like keyboard typing is noticeable.

  2. I bought one because my dad had it and I liked it, but the one pedal was broken (it is stuck and won’t move freely like the other). Returning it tomorrow and I just don’t have the patience to bother with trying a different one. The quality of Aldi non-food products has gone down the past year.

  3. Returning mine tomorrow as the LH pedal won’t turn freely as it is supposed to. This is the third time in the past 6 months that I’ve had to return a non-food item. The quality just isn’t there.

  4. I bought one too for a friend, he has perifial diabetes. A large foot, but the straps aren’t adjustable to his large feet. Can you use it without the straps?

  5. I had one for just over a year before the pedals froze as others have mentioned.

  6. I’ve lost 15 pounds just using these during work and changing my diet in 2 months. Just wish the tension worked better.

  7. I bought mine from Aldi that had two left pedals. I’m waiting for the right pedal to arrive from the German supplier.

  8. Where is the manual on how to operate it. Only I have seen is instructions on how to set it up.

  9. I have had mine for over 5 years and it’s digital. And it works fine. I have had no problems with mine. Love it.

  10. My pedals seem to have frozen. What do I do. I’ve had it only 5 months.

  11. Tension doesn’t work

  12. I just bought one today for $10 at a church rummage sale. Works fine so far, time will tell how it holds up, I guess.

  13. BTW, here’s a link to the manual, for anyone interested:

    https://www.manualslib.com/products/Aldi-Crane-5576-10869247.html

  14. I have ans-17-096/96524. Pedal Exerciser. How can I order both pedals?

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