I recently came upon an interesting Indiegogo campaign for the FluidStance Level–a standing desk accessory of sorts. What is it? It’s basically a platform that you stand on while at your desk which aims to promote circulation and movement.
From their web site:
The Level by FluidStance is a work platform that elicits subtle, constant movement below your feet to increase your range of motion and heart rate. Developed primarily as a tool for your immediate workspace, it can be used in common areas of both the home and office, or as a complement to a stand-up desk. The patent-pending design allows you to change the overall aesthetics via interchangeable top decks, floating bumpers, and base plates.
Unlike your standard treadmill desk setup, the FluidStance Level is smaller, cheaper, and pretty cool looking. However, the amount of actual exercise you’ll be doing is of course quite a bit less.
What Is It?
The Level is basically just a piece of wood sandwiched to a curved die-cut piece of aluminum. Easy. Of course, the wood looks pretty shiny, and the aluminum is die-cut in a very artsy, futuristic way, which makes it a definite conversation piece when in your office or home.
There are three different models of the Level at this time: Handmade, American-Made, and Pacific, each corresponding to different trim and finish options (the dimensions on each are the same–26.5″ long x 12.2″ wide x 2.5″ tall, approximate weight: 7-7.5 lbs).
The Handmade version is, like one would guess, handmade in California. It can also hold a bit more weight than the other two machine-made models, at 300 lbs. versus 250 for the Pacific and American-Made. It costs the most, at $389, but is also the only one of the three models to use solid bamboo for the standing area, whereas the other two use laminate.
The American-Made version has a bit darker finish and is machine-made in the U.S. The Pacific model has a light, pine-like finish, and is die-cast overseas. They ring in at $289 and $269 respectively.
Benefits
- Looks Cool – it’s definitely different and will be a conversation piece wherever you use it
- Movement – FluidStance claims to have had the Level independently tested and averaged a 15% increase in heart rate versus sitting (12.2 beats per minute increase).
Validated by third party testing, our motion decks elicit subtle, constant movement under your feet. This is accomplished through our U.S. Patent-Pending technology that allows for optimal amounts of 3D motion in the sagittal, transverse, and coronal planes. The amount of lower leg motion provided by LEVEL is similar to what you would experience while walking. On the Level, we see an average range of motion of 23.98 degrees (ROM). While standing at a desk doesn’t allow for this range of motion, the Level does.
Potential Issues
Price – while I have no doubt that these are very high quality accessories, the price is a bit prohibitory for cost-conscious consumers. But then again, if you’re willing to shell out $1000+ for a standing desk I suppose that cheapskates aren’t the target market.- Scuffing Up The Floor – Using on delicate floors, such as wood, could produce scuffing and scratching. They do say they are working on producing mats to be put under the Level, but in the meantime they suggest using a low-profile office chair mat.
- Concentration During Sensitive Tasks – while using the levels may be fine during web surfing and phone calls, I can’t imagine using it when doing fine Photoshop work or the like. So what do you do when you aren’t using it? I’d guess you’d need to bend down and move/kick it out of the way somewhere (being careful not to scratch the floor, of course). I could see that being a hassle after a while, especially in a cramped office or somewhere with a bit of foot traffic.
- Use With a Standing Mat – let’s say you are using the Level, but then want to change to your standing mat instead in order to get some of that aforementioned Photoshop work done. The Level won’t work on the
Conclusion
I applaud the ingenuity in coming up with this standing desk aid, but I can’t imagine it will be of use to everyone. But if you have the money, and appreciate a cool-looking, innovative device that will assist you in maintaining optimal health, then maybe the FluidStance is worth a look.
If you’d like to fund the Indiegogo campaign there are still a few days left, so be sure to check them out here, or visit their web site here.