In early 2015, Life Fitness saw an opportunity to expand beyond the fitness world and into the office space. They wanted to have a line of standing desk solutions so that workers could remain active and healthy throughout the work day, and not just when using their fitness equipment. They came out with the InMovement Elevate Desktop Series of standing desks. This initial release included four products, each offering different functionality from the rest. The most popular of the bunch has been the DT2. I placed an order for one recently and have been using it for the past week. Here are my thoughts on the InMovement DT2 Standing Desk converter.
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InMovement Elevate DT2 Review Snapshot
Pros
- No assembly required
- Easy to adjust
- Massive task space
- Can hold dual 27" monitors
Cons
- Poor build quality
- Short warranty
- Lack of stability
- No dual ergoomics
- Limited adjustment range
- Raises minimum keyboard height
- No infinite position lock
- Small keyboard tray that does not lock
InMovement Standing Desk Manufacturer
InMovement describes themselves as a “Product Wellbeing” company. InMovement is a division of Brunswick Corporation and more specifically, the Life Fitness division. Brunswick is a US based corporation that has a worldwide presence with a lot of recognizable brands including: Brunswick Bowling & Billiards, Life Fitness, Brunswick Boat Group and Mercury Marine.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
– Country of Origin
– Specs / Features / Pricing
– Return Policy and Warranty
– Installation
– Build Quality
– Footprint
– Making Adjustments
– Stability
– Ergonomics
– Task and Keyboard Space
– Wire Management
– What I Like
– What I Don’t Like
– Bottom Line
Country of Origin
Made in China
Product Specifications
Weight Limit: 35 lbs.
Unit Weight: 58 lbs.
Shipping Weight: 77 lbs.
Overall at lowest height: 41”W x 24.25”D x 5.75”H
Overall at highest height: 41”W x 32”D x 19”H
Base Dimensions: 34.5”W x 24.25”D
Keyboard Platform Dimensions: 25.75”W x 10.5”D
Monitor Platform Dimensions: 41”W x 21”D
Max Keyboard Platform Height: 13.5”H
Max Monitor Platform Height: 19”H
Min Keyboard Platform Height: 5/8”H
Min Monitor Platform Height: 5.75”H
Distance Front of Keyboard Tray to Monitor: 20”
Product Features
Sits on Top of Your Existing Desk
Dual Platform Design
10 Height Settings
2 Handle Adjustment
Retractable Keyboard Tray
Laminate wood finish monitor platform
2019 Price – $399.00
Color Options
White, Darkwood or Light Wood
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Return Policy
The InMovement Standing Desk is returnable within the first 30 days of owning it. The item must be returned in its original packaging and you will be responsible for return shipping charges. Returns and cancellations that occur after the item ships will also incurr a 20% restocking fee.
Warranty
The InMovement DT2 comes with a one year warranty. There are no exclusions.
Shipping
The InMovement DT2 shipped the day after I placed the order. It was delivered two business days later via UPS Ground. The box is very large and weighs nearly 80 pounds. There is a handle on each end of the box to help with moving it, but it was too large for me to carry. I used one handle to slide the unit across the floor. If you do not have a floor that you can slide the box across, then I would recommend having a second person on hand to help you carry it.
The item was very well packaged with everything being protected by foam. There was no damage to the unit and it functions as intended.
Installation
The InMovement DT2 arrives fully assembled and ready to go out of the box. I was able to lift it up on my own to get it on my desk but the item weighs almost 60 lbs. so some people may want someone to help lift it.
Build Quality
The InMovement Standing Desk uses a z lift base system that is assisted with springs and locked into place with a pin system. It features a dual platform design with both platforms remaining at a fixed distance from each other at all times. This design is the same design used by VARIDESK. It is so similar that VARIDESK filed suit against Brunswick Corporation for patent infringement. Brunswick Corporation agreed to a licensing agreement with VARIDESK in order to be able to sell the InMovement DT2 in its current form.
I would consider the quality of metal used to be on the lower-end of converters I have tested. The unit does not feel as solid and rigid as models like the WorkFit-T. It feels more similar to the Rocelco ADR in terms of rigidity and strength. The locking system used is also low quality. The first thing that I do not like is that you can lock one side and not the other. Since the metal is not rigid, the platform will tilt from side to side. You can move one side of the unit up and have it locked into a different position than the other side. This should not be allowed to happen. The second thing that I do not like is that the locking system still allows the platform to bounce. Some positions let the platform bounce more than others.
While I am not a fan of the overall build quality on the InMovement DT2, they did do quite a bit to make their product more aesthetically pleasing than most of the converters out there. The base is fully enclosed which hides all of the inner workings of the unit and also provides a sleek look when the unit is collapsed down. The arms on the InMovement DT2 are also designed to hide the springs. The wood finish laminate on the monitor platform is a step up in quality over most standing desk converters I see. It has nice rounded edges and corners.
Footprint
You will need a minimum desk space of 34.5”W x 24.25”D to place the unit on top of. The monitor platform is wider than the base so you will need about 4” extra on each side in order to fit the work surface in the space. When raising the unit to standing height, the unit moves out toward you as it gets higher. At the tallest height, you will be pushed about 8” away from the front of your desk. You will need to make sure you have enough space behind you in order to use the InMovement DT2 comfortably.
Mobility
The InMovement Standing Desk does not have any mobility. The unit is very large and heavy so moving it from location to location will not be as easy. It is also not very practical to move the unit on and off your desk, for the same reasons.
This unit does not have any desktop mobility. The rubber stoppers on the bottom of the base hold the unit firmly in place and it takes a lot of effort to move the unit on top of your desk. This product is best suited for people that can place the unit on their desk with no plans to move it.
Adjusting the InMovement DT2
The InMovement Standing Desk has a single adjustment for the overall height of the unit. There are two handles found underneath both sides of the monitor platform. Pressing and holding the handles will unlock the unit and allow it to move up or down. During assembly, once you reach your desired height, release the handles to lock the unit in place. Since this unit has 10 pre-determined height options, instead of infinite position lock, you may need to move the unit up or down slightly from your preferred position to lock it in place.
The movement is assisted by springs. I found the adjustment process to be very easy to perform in both directions. Be aware that both sides of the platform can tilt so it is very important that you move them the same distance and release the handles when both are even. Not doing so may result in a platform that is locked in a crooked position.
Stability
The InMovement Standing Desk struggled a bit more than I expected through my stability testing. I guess I should not be surprised that it ended up testing so closely to the VARIDESK’s score since they use the same design. I had just hoped that the improvements to the aesthetics would have also been done on the functionality of the unit.
The InMovement Standing Desk has two major issues that contribute to an overall lack of stability. The first is that the unit does not fully lock in place. Even with the unit locked, there is still quite a bit of platform tilt and bounce. The second issue is the lack of rigidity in the metal leg supports. These two factors mean that the unit is never really fully secure when locked or when making adjustments. When you are adjusting the unit, you can twist and the tilt the top so much that you can get the sides to lock into different height positions. These factors resulted in a large deduction in the general stability category and affected the scores on the majority of the other categories.
When sitting, there is a bit of side to side tilt since the unit does not fully lock. The keyboard tray also has quite a bit of bounce because it does lay flat against your desk. It hovers a fraction of an inch above your desk so it is close enough to frequently hit the top of your desk with it while typing. The side to side tilt and keyboard bounce create some monitor shake when seated but it was not something that impacted my work.
When standing, the unit has considerably more keyboard bounce, wobble and monitor shake than when sitting. When standing, there is also noticeable front to back wobble. This goes back to the unit not locking in place. Since the unit does not lock, the arms allow the platform to move front to back when the arms are extended to standing height.
One final factor that negatively affects stability and really had a negative impact on my user experience was that the retractable keyboard tray does not lock in place when pulled out. It was constantly sliding when I was working and I was continually having to pull it back out.
| Sitting Wobble (10%) | Standing Wobble (15%) | Sitting Bounce (10%) | Standing Bounce (15%) | Sitting Shake (10%) | Standing Shake (15%) | General (25%) | Total Score |
| 90/100 | 60/100 | 75/100 | 60/100 | 85/100 | 60/100 | 40/100 | 62/100 |
Ergonomics
The InMovement DT2 is not a product that excels when it comes to ergonomics. The monitor platform and keyboard tray remain at a fixed height from each other so this product is not dual ergonomic. Dual ergonomics allows you to adjust the height of your keyboard and monitor independently so that you have the correct ergonomic height for each of them. There will be a large percentage of people that will have to choose which one they would like to have at the correct ergonomic height.
In the sitting position, the keyboard tray sits about .5” off your desk and the minimum monitor platform height is just under 6”. This is one of the lowest profile keyboard trays I have seen but it will still alter your normal seated typing position. The minimum monitor platform height is on the higher side of converters I have tested. Some users may have an upward monitor viewing angle in the seated position. I had an upward angle with my 27” monitor. This may not be a problem with smaller monitors.
The InMovement Standing Desk has a 13” adjustment range with a maximum keyboard tray height of 13.5” above your existing desk. If you are using a standard 30” desk, then people as tall at 5’11” will be able to use this product in an ergonomic typing position. Taller people will have a downward typing angle. This unit lacks infinite position lock and instead has different height options at incremental levels. This means that some people may not be able to use the InMovement DT2 at their optimal height.
The recommended ergonomic monitor viewing distance is 20”-40”. This is the best distance to reduce eye strain over prolonged hours. My monitor was 20” from the front of the keyboard tray, which put me well within the recommended ergonomic viewing range.
Monitor & Task Space
The InMovement Standing Desk has a massive work surface. The monitor platform is a very large rectangle shape with no cut-outs. It is large enough to fit dual 27” monitors with plenty of space leftover for things like papers, catalogues, tablets, etc. You may even be able to fit three monitors if they are small enough. This is one of the few converters I have tested that gives you back almost the same amount of desk space that it takes up.
Keyboard Space
The keyboard tray has a retractable design with a metal frame and thin phenolic platform. The back of the keyboard tray has a small, vertical metal bar to keep your keyboard and mouse from sliding off the back. The underside of the keyboard tray has felt pads to protect the top of your desk and the tray is designed to hover just above your desk so that it doesn’t scratch the surface when sliding in and out. Unfortunately, the keyboard tray does not lock into place after sliding it out, which I found to be a real nuisance. The tray was large enough to fit my oversized keyboard but it left little space for my mouse. I would recommend using a standard or compact keyboard for the best experience on this unit.
Wire Management
The InMovement DT2 does not have any built-in tools for wire management. There are a couple adhesive backed strips included that can be used to help guide your cords. Wire management shouldn’t be an issue as long as you run your wires off the back of the unit. If you are using a corded keyboard and mouse, then make sure your cords are run through the top opening, just under the work surface. If they are not run through this area, they can get pinched.
Safety
The InMovement DT2 has the same safety concerns present on most z lift standing desk converters, numerous pinch points. Make sure to avoid the adjustment arms when the unit is in motion. Also, be aware of anyone around you while raising or lowering the unit and you shouldn’t’ have any problems.
What do I like?
No Assembly
The InMovement DT2 does not require assembly. You may need some help getting it into your office and out of the box but once it is out of the box, it is ready to go. This is a very attractive feature for people that can’t perform assembly or would prefer not to.
Easy to Use
I found the height adjustment to be easy to perform. The handles are easy to press and do not feel clunky. The springs do a good job of helping with the movement and require very little physical effort from me to move it up or down.
Massive Task Space
The thing that I liked most about the InMovement DT2 is the huge amount of task space it provides. This unit has the largest area of task space out of the converters I have reviewed. The rectangle shape, with no cut-outs means that the entire space is usable and there are no awkward sections that stick out, like on the VariDesk Pro Plus 36 or WorkFit-T. This is one of the few converters I have reviewed that is capable of having multiple large objects on the platform.
Good for Dual 27” Monitors
Having such a large monitor platform allows the InMovement DT2 to hold dual 27” monitors. The Winston is the only other standing desk converter I have reviewed, so far, that is capable of holding dual 27” monitors.
What don’t I like?
Poor Build Quality
The InMovement DT2 looks like a nice product. In my opinion, it has a nicer look than most other similarly designed converters. But, the quality of the components used are not as good as the way the product looks. I do not like how the metal is not rigid, which allows the unit to bend and twist while making adjustments. I also do not like the low-end locking mechanism used because it is inconsistent and doesn’t fully lock the unit when it is functioning properly.
Short Warranty
The warranty on the InMovement DT2 is only one year. This is a red flag to me because of my concerns with the build quality. One year is comparable to VariDesk but shorter than most other competing models. Models like the FlexiSpot M2 and WorkFit-T offer five year warranties.
Lack of Stability
The InMovement DT2 received one of the lowest stability scores I have given so far. At sitting height, there is noticeable keyboard bounce that will affect most people’s work. At standing height, it has a lot of movement is numerous directions. Front to back wiggle, side to side tilt and also twisting are all factors that contribute to the overall lack of stability on the unit. There is also very noticeable keyboard bounce at standing height.
Not Ergonomic for Majority
The InMovement DT2 is not dual ergonomic and lacks infinite position lock. The unit raises your normal sitting typing position and also only goes high enough to accommodate an ergonomic typing height for people up to 5’11”. For the vast majority of people, the DT2 will not be ergonomic.
Retractable Keyboard Tray is Small and Does Not Lock
Not being able to lock the keyboard drawer after pulling it out was a big disappointment. The drawer slides used are really smooth and the tray is lightweight, so it moves very easily. Having the keyboard tray constantly slide while I was trying to type was really annoying and made it difficult to get into a rhythm.
The tray is also on the smaller side. People with large keyboards or big mousing pattern may want to look for an alternative product.
Bottom Line
I had really high hopes for the InMovement DT2. The product looks really nice in the pictures and the thick base and arms make it appear to be really strong. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case. The saying “lipstick on a pig” frequently popped into my mind while reviewing this product. I say this because InMovement did a lot to make the DT2 stand out as an attractive product but the overall quality of the unit is lacking. Its base design and wood finish top options make the product more attractive than most of its competitors. It arrives fully assembled and is very easy to operate. It also has a work surface large enough to accommodate dual 27” monitors, which I have found to be rare in the standing desk converter world.
With the positives, comes considerable downsides. The build quality on this unit is subpar and the warranty only increases my concerns with the poor quality. This unit has a limited adjustment range and a limited number of pre-set height positions so the amount of people that will be able to use this product ergonomically correct will be limited. The overall instability of the unit combined with the lack of a locking keyboard drawer made for a poor user experience. Having the unit constantly moving, bouncing, sliding, tilting, etc. was very distracting.
If you are set on getting a wood finish top or need a solution for a dual 27” monitor setup, then I think the InMovement DT2 could be a good product for you but I think there are better options that come in at lower price points.
