FluidStance The Plane by - Premium Motion Board - Standing Desk Balance Board - Designed to Keep the Body Moving - Improve Balance - Enhance Focus without Disrupting Workflow (Cumulus)

Update 4/8/2021: I still stand by my original review BUT I did want to note that Fluidstance offers a next gen of this board on their site; the Plane Cloud which has 1/2 inch thick foam top! Even though I was past my return window, they were awesome enough to let me exchange my board directly with them. The price difference is $30 and so worth having the extra layer of comfort! Great customer service with Fluidstance, 100% recommend. I have been working from home for almost a year now and the lower back pain was getting REAL. Sitting down for 9-10 hours a day, I started feeling significant discomfort that radiated upwards to my middle back; it was painful to sit for more than 2 hours which I’ve gone to get a PT eval for. I recently purchased a RIF6 sit stand station (also a must-have) and was on the search for a balance board. I came across this one and was hesitant to purchase because of the price. But after doing some research, I decided to go for it and WOWWWOWOOWOW I’m so glad I did! This board is amazing and so much fun to use! It keeps my core and lower body muscles constantly engaged without much effort. I am able to rock back and forth, side to side, twist around and stretch my back (while holding onto desk) with ease. I even like twisting around while on my tippy toes! It is fairly easy to balance on and gives you so much fluidity with every movement. I am addicted to using it and have noticed that I feel more energized and focused while I’m on it; I do not get as tired around 1-2pm like I used to from sitting down all day. I feel it has also been helpful in alleviating my back pain and my back does not feel as sore at the end of the day. NOTE: this is not a super difficult training / exercise board. This board is more suited towards enhancing an ergo-friendly working environment. If you’re looking for an exercise / physical therapy balance board, then this may not be the best fit. Works great on tile and is not noisy at all (video attached). It also works well on carpet although you will find there’s a bit more resistance when using twisting motions. For carpet, I’d recommend placing one of those hard/clear mats underneath. I would also recommend wearing a pair of comfy shoes while on it, especially for long periods of use. I love that Fluidstance’s boards are sustainably sourced and made in the USA with 100% recyclable material (which explains the price tag a bit more). This is my first balance board purchase, so I can’t compare it to others on the market but I noticed the design is a lot more intricate than most. The Plane board is super sturdy and you can just tell it’s made with quality and care. I’ve been raving about this board to all my friends and can’t say enough good things about it; the purchase was well worth it!

Day #1 and already in love with this thing! I've been searching, and searching (and searching some more!) for a board to use at my desk. I had been wanting to stand more, but my back wasn't having it. While searching for an anti-fatigue mat, I stumbled upon the world of balance boards. The first one I tried was round (Aquiva wooden wobble board), and didn't allow for a very wide stance without worrying about falling off the edge and embarassing myself in front of my office mates. Returned. The second one was longer in shape, like a skateboard (Simply Fit board). This shape is perfect, but the ends curved upward, causing my ankles to get sore after about 20 minutes because they were bent funny. I kept this one, because it's a good workout for myself and the kids....just not for use for long periods of time at a standing desk. My 3rd was an amazing board from a very cool company in Wisconsin, Whirly Board. It totally looks like a skateboard, and is even made from wood. Very nice, sturdy construction. It's for skateboard or snowboard training, with a total of 3 pivot points. Advanced users could use at a standing desk. But not this chick! This board was way too challenging for me and my current fitness level (which is at about a -3 right now, if I'm being honest). I returned this, but plan on repurchasing down the road once I meet my fitness goals. And their customer service is phenomenal. And now I have THIS board....The Plane by FluidStance. I immediately whooped with joy while trying it out for the first time. It's solidly constructed, and has the perfect amount of movement, in all directions. You don't feel like you're going to fall off, but you don't feel completely stable either. I wonder what will happen if I sneeze while standing on this..... I'll include that in an update at a later time! For the price I paid for this thing, I hope the construction lasts. I'm a bit worried about the edge coming loose after some use, but I will be back to update if anything like that happens. I am so happy that I finally have the perfect board for work! Plus, there was a nice little handwritten note included. Awesome company. Thank you! :)

Honestly... my first reaction to seeing an ad for this was that it was a silly idea. I bought it as an impulse purchase and out of curiosity. But is a cool product. And more practical than I imagined. I work about 50/50 standing and sitting and I really recommend standing some of the day if you have a desk job. I like the mobility the board offers while standing. I have hip pain and moving around stretches my hip and it seems to help. Also... it’s pretty awesome to be skating or surfing while you work. It’s not as distracting as you would think. I also like the board for sitting down. I often use it to rest my feet on and play around moving my ankles and legs. For me... I think it’s worth the price tag. It’s a fun tool that I use throughout the day. And when I don’t want to use it I just slide it to the side. I’m a big dude (around 260 lbs) I dont know which board I ordered for weight class but it holds up really well. It does elevate you a little... but not enough to mess up my standing setup.

I did research on best rated balancing boards, and this was listed as number 1 on several sites. The board is heavy and thick which I like because that makes it very sturdy, and it's very well made. I am using it on carpet and haven't slipped once. I really like the different motions you can do (back and forth, sideways, rotating) because: 1. Bigger range of motion to engage a variety of muscle groups. 2. If you fidget with your feet or legs a lot, this is great for doing just that, only standing up. Pain relief: I am not using it as much for the purpose of relieving pain as much because regular standing causes pain in my back and feet in general, but to - Move on it instead of potentially standing with locked knees, putting more weight on one side, and to prevent from my muscles getting stiffer. - Work on balance. Recommendations: - Like with any new pair of shoes or custom fit insoles, don't spend an entire day on it right away, especially if you suffer from chronic pain. Get used to it little by little until you know how your body reacts. Movements that your body isn't used to can make you feel sore. - Make sure you hold on to something when you step on. I had to adjust the position of the board a few times to achieve the most comfortable and ergonomic position, so I could reach everything on my desk properly. - I started out with a narrow stance on the board. Didn't read the instructions (never do...). If your balance is not the greatest, a wider stance seems to be better.

The FluidStance The Plane is a decent option for those looking to add some movement to their standing desk routine. It provides a slight wobble that helps with balance and engagement, but it's definitely on the easier side. Pros: Easy to use: The Plane is very accessible, even for beginners. The wobble is gentle, allowing for a gradual adjustment period. Sturdy and stable: Despite the wobble, the board feels solidly built and provides ample support. Improves balance: The gentle movement helps to engage core muscles and improve balance over time. Cons: Limited movement: The wobble is very mild, making it feel more like a subtle rocking than a true balance challenge. Core engagement: While it does engage the core, it's not as intense as I expected. It feels more like an "easy mode" for core activation. Overall: While The Plane is not the most challenging balance board, it's a good choice for those seeking a gentle introduction to active standing. It's well-made, easy to use, and provides some benefits for balance and core engagement. However, if you're looking for a more intense workout, you might want to consider other options.