Ships same business day if ordered by 3pm Central
Overview
Split, splay, and tent this helpful work tool for ergonomic hand, wrist, and arm placement. For a more traditional keyboard experience, keep the two halves of the keyboard close together, or separate the keyboard up to 9 or 20 inches apart.
The Freestyle2 utilizes a quiet, low-force, tactile membrane key switch. The typical average maximum key force of a switch is 45 grams. This is at least 25% less than most traditional and many ergonomic keyboards with maximum key forces of over 60 grams.
The Freestyle2 ergonomic keyboard allows for flexibility to cater to each individual’s unique needs. Both keyboard halves, or modules, come connected together by a flexible pivot tether allowing an infinite range of splay. Disconnecting the pivot tether allows up to 9" or 20" of complete separation of both left and right keyboard halves. Designed to greatly reduce or eliminate ulnar deviation, set your keyboard up anywhere between the traditional, narrow footprint and up to complete separation.
Most keyboards including ergonomic models have a 10 degree positive slope from front to back. These designs tend to bend your wrists. The Freestyle2 has a zero degree slope which minimizes the height, effectively creating a negative slope and reducing wrist extension. The slim design provides a 2-in-1 office and travel keyboard.
Details
Ulnar deviation occurs when your wrist is bent outward in the direction of your little finger. It is among the most common and potentially damaging keyboard postures and can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome and other serious repetitive strain injuries.
On traditional keyboards, the span of your shoulders exceeds the contiguous width of the home row keys. In order to position your hands over the home row, it is necessary to bring the hands together in front of the body with the wrists deviated. Ulnar deviation constricts the blood flow through your wrist, requires static muscle tension, and puts pressure on the median nerve which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. Ulnar deviation is an acute problem for individuals with broad shoulders.
Freestyle keyboards address the issue of ulnar deviation in two ways, with adjustable split and adjustable splay.
Adjustable Split
The left and right keyboard halves can be completely separated to achieve a neutral wrist posture for a wide array of body types. The Freestyle2 is available with a standard 9″ linking cable or an extended 20″ cable.
Adjustable Splay
Put your wrists in a more neutral position by rotating the keyboard halves and separate them as needed. The Freestyle2 includes an optional “Pivot Tether” which can be attached to facilitate a symmetrical splay angle.
Typing with your palms face down towards the desktop involves the rotation of both forearm bones and creates pronation in the forearm and wrist. Sustained pronation puts pressure on the forearm muscles and tissues which reduces blood circulation and can lead to fatigue and repetitive strain injuries (“RSI”). Research demonstrates that a moderate elevation of the thumb side of the hand dramatically reduces the pressure on the forearm muscles by creating a more natural position for your arms and wrists.
Adjustable Tenting
Freestyle keyboards address forearm pronation with three different modular tenting accessories designed to work with or without palm supports. Quickly attach the tenting accessory to the bottom of the keyboard to elevate the inner edge of the key module. Tenting lets you type with your forearms in a more neutral and comfortable position.
All Freestyle tenting accessories provide variable and reproducible tent settings to greatly reduce pronation. The V3 and VIP accessories support tenting of 5Ëš, 10Ëš and 15Ëš and the Ascent accessory supports tenting from 20Ëš to 90Ëš.
Wrist extension occurs when wrists are bent up and back, putting fingers higher than the wrist joint. This greatly reduces blood circulation in the hands leading to pain, fatigue, and numbness.
Most traditional keyboards, and even many ergonomic keyboards, have a positive 10-degree slope or “pop-up feet” on the back underside that actually exacerbates the problem. Even “neutral slope” keyboards can lead to problems if the user drops their wrists in front of the keyboard and down onto the work surface.
Freestyle keyboards address wrist extension in several ways.
Zero-Degree Slope & Optional Palm Supports
Freestyle keyboards feature a zero-degree slope from front to back so your wrist is at the same elevation as your forearm and hand. This design ensures all keys are below wrist level so you are never reaching “up” for any keys.
Additionally, many users choose to attach our modular palm supports that position your wrist in a completely neutral position. Unlike a “wrist rest” these “palm supports” provide cushioned support to the palms (as needed) and protect the more sensitive wrists by alleviating pressure on the areas that impact circulation.
Most traditional, and even many ergonomic keyboards, have an integrated numeric 10-key which increases the overall width of the keyboard. The wider your keyboard, the further from your body you have to position the mouse.
When you have to extend your forearm and shoulder to reach for the mouse, you put unnecessary strain on your forearm, neck, and shoulders.
Tenkeyless Design with Embedded 10-Key
Freestyle keyboards address mouse overreach by “embedding” the numeric keypad in the right keyboard half. An embedded keypad shrinks the overall width of the keyboard and allows for placement of the pointing device directly in front of the shoulder for maximum comfort. The keypad actions can be quickly accessed using the “Fn” key.
Stand-Alone USB 10-Key
Heavy 10-key users should consider purchasing a stand-alone keypad which can be placed in the optimal position based on your workflow and deskspace.
Most traditional, and even many ergonomic keyboards, feature keys with a high activation force and/or short-travel switches. High force keys require more effort to actuate and thus cause more finger strain and fatigue. These effects build up over time and can cause a variety of health issues.
Short-travel switches like those found on laptops and many budget-friendly keyboards require that you fully-depress the key to actuate it. The result is called "bottoming out”, with thousands of unnecessary micro-impacts on your fingertips each day.
The Freestyle Edge RGB lets you move the right half of the keyboard out of the way so you can position your mouse inside of your right shoulder for more comfort, precision, and dexterity. When you are comfortable, your baseline level of performance increases. The Edge is especially great for low-DPI mousing and eliminates those nasty collisions with your keyboard. For typing, start with the key modules close together and gradually work them out to shoulder-width until you find the optimal configuration.
Low-Force, Full-Travel Membrane Switches
The Freestyle2 keyboard uses membrane key switches with low activation force: 35g activation force /45g peak force. The Freestyle2 has a custom membrane engineered to provide tactile feedback which provides a slightly elevated force at the point of actuation. Tactility can train typists not to “bottom-out” the switch and eliminate those unnecessary impacts.
For the ultimate in keyboard configurability, the Freestyle2 can be purchased with a number of tenting accessories. Tenting is the elevation of the center portion of your split keyboard. By raising your thumbs, your forearm muscles become relaxed, reducing pronation, resulting in significantly improved comfort and blood flow.
Full-size keyboards force gamers to reach around the keyboard to grip the mouse. This posture puts excessive strain on your wrist, elbow and shoulder. Aggressively rotating the keyboard to generate more mousing room just creates a different set of problems.
The V3 tenting accessory includes left and right “v-Lifters” which easily attach to the base of the Freestyle2 Keyboard allowing quick and reproducible slope settings of 5, 10 and 15 degrees without the use of integrated palm supports.
More than just a vertical keyboard, the Freestyle Ascent accessory kit provides two independently adjustable tenting angles for each keyboard half.
Tenting angles may be independently set for each keying module in the range of 20 to 90 degrees, in 10 degree increments. Left/right separation is limited only by the length of the keyboard’s linking cable. The standard 9″ separation is adequate for most users, but the 20″ linking cable is recommended for greater flexibility.
The Ascent can also be used in conjunction with the optional Freestyle2 palm supports, most aptly suited for the lower tent settings of 20, 30 and 40 degrees.
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Assembly
Specs
Dimensions | 15.375" W x 7.125" D |
Key height | 1.125" |
Weight | 2 lbs, 3oz |
Connectivity | USB Wired |
USB cable length | 6 ft |
Shipping Dimensions | 19" L x 11" W x 5" H, 4.64 lb |
FAQ
If you work at a computer all or a portion of the day, it's smart to use ergo-friendly tools that support your body. Split and adjustable keyboards allow you to set your keyboard to the angle that keeps your wrists straight and comfortable, so you can work longer without pain or strain caused my traditional keyboarding techniques.
At this time, the Kinesis Freestyle2 only comes in a black color option.
The Kinesis Freestyle2 keyboard is available in both standard and extended models. The model with 9 inches of separation is the more popular model, and is ideal for most users. The 20 inch model is ideal for users who have very broad shoulders or anyone who likes to support their keyboards at a 90° angle with the Ascent accessory.
The Kinesis Freestyle2 Adjustable Split Keyboard for PC comes standard with up to 9 inches of separation between each keyboard half. This is the most popular model of the keyboard and provides adequate separation for most users.
The Extended Kinesis Freestyle2 Adjustable Split Keyboard provides up to 20 inches of separation between each keyboard module. The extended version is ideal for users with wide shoulders. We recommend using the extended version if you choose the Ascent accessory.
To save space, the Kinesis Freestyle2 Adjustable Split Keyboard only includes numeral keys along the top of the keyboard. Add the freestanding Freestyle2 Numeric Keypad for ease of access to numerals at your fingertips. The same low-force keys and slim design of the keypad mimic the Freestyle2 Keyboard. Another benefit of having a freestanding numeric keypad is the ability to place it on either the left or right-side of your keyboard. The keypad also includes two USB ports to easily connect peripheral devices.
Add the V3 Accessory Kit to reduce pronation and type in a more ergonomic position. The V3 allows you to tent the Freestyle2 Keyboard at either 5, 10, or 15-degree angles. The V3 Kit attaches to the underside of the keyboard to provide a very stable base, free from wobble. The V3 works with the keyboard tethered together or with the modules separated.
The VIP3 Accessory Kit also allows users to use the Freestyle2 Keyboard at 5, 10, or 15-degree angles, with the added benefit of integrated palm supports. Enjoy a stable typing experience with reduced wrist and forearm pronation. The VIP3 can be used with the keyboard tethered or separated based on your shoulder width or comfort levels.
When a measly 15 degrees won't do, add the Ascent Accessory Kit to your Freestyle2 Keyboard and enjoy the freedom of typing at any angle between 20 and 90 degrees. Typing at the full 90-degrees eliminates all wrist and forearm pronation. Each tenting plate is separate, for independent adjustment. However, the tenting plates can be connected using the included linking plate.
While the Ascent will work with the standard 9 inches of separation, we recommend using the Ascent with the extended 20-inch model. Having more play between each keyboard half gives you more freedom in finding the most comfortable ergonomic position.
Stop using unnecessary strain to open that stubborn jar of sandwich pickles. Instead, add the UPLIFT Jar Opener to your kitchen arsenal. Open jars with ease and prevent injury with the UPLIFT Jar Opener, free with your purchase.
The Kinesis Freestyle2 Adjustable Split Keyboard for PC comes standard with up to 9 inches of separation between each keyboard half. This is the most popular model of the keyboard and provides adequate separation for most users.
The Extended Kinesis Freestyle2 Adjustable Split Keyboard provides up to 20 inches of separation between each keyboard module. The extended version is ideal for users with wide shoulders. We recommend using the extended version if you choose the Ascent accessory.
Add the V3 Accessory Kit to reduce pronation and type in a more ergonomic position. The V3 allows you to tent the Freestyle2 Keyboard at either 5, 10, or 15-degree angles. The V3 Kit attaches to the underside of the keyboard to provide a very stable base, free from wobble. The V3 works with the keyboard tethered together or with the modules separated.
The VIP3 Accessory Kit also allows users to use the Freestyle2 Keyboard at 5, 10, or 15-degree angles, with the added benefit of integrated palm supports. Enjoy a stable typing experience with reduced wrist and forearm pronation. The VIP3 can be used with the keyboard tethered or separated based on your shoulder width or comfort levels.
When a measly 15 degrees won't do, add the Ascent Accessory Kit to your Freestyle2 Keyboard and enjoy the freedom of typing at any angle between 20 and 90 degrees. Typing at the full 90-degrees eliminates all wrist and forearm pronation. Each tenting plate is separate, for independent adjustment. However, the tenting plates can be connected using the included linking plate.
While the Ascent will work with the standard 9 inches of separation, we recommend using the Ascent with the extended 20-inch model. Having more play between each keyboard half gives you more freedom in finding the most comfortable ergonomic position.
Number crunchers, this accessory is for you. When switching to a new keyboard, some functions may be lost in the interest of ergonomics. When you need or just prefer a separate numeric keypad, the Freestyle2 Numeric Keypad by Kinesis is there when you need it.
Place the 10-key keypad in your preferred spot for comfortable typing.
We stand firmly behind the quality of our products. All UPLIFT Desk products come with a 15 Year Warranty, visit the Warranty page for the full policy.
Free Returns with Free Return Shipping within 30 days, visit the Returns page for the full policy.