FitPaws Duo Disc/FitMat And Flexiness Updated Twin Disc/SensiMat Comparison

As some of you may have seen, FitPaws has rolled out two “new” products, the Duo Disc and their mat version.  These products may look familiar if you follow Flexiness products and or FitPaws.  Flexiness debuted the Twindisc several years ago as well as their SensiMat via a partnership with FitPaws to sell both these products from Flexiness.  In recent years, Flexiness updated the TwinDisc design to what it is today.

We will dive into both of these products (the new updated Flexiness TwinDisc is pictured above on the left and the old Flexiness TwinDisc is on the right similar/same to the Duo Disc ) and examine the pro and cons if you are looking to invest in new canine fitness products.  We have no affiliation with either company so this will be based on my personal experiences owning both of these TwinDisc models as well as the SensiMat and therefore will be unbiased. As with any new equipment we want to give you the 411 so you don’t waste your money.  As a prior distributor for FitPaws and doing canine fitness since 2014 I have just about every canine fitness piece of equipment made, and have worked with hundreds of different dogs on fitness equipment. If you want more information on canine fitness equipment, we have a complete canine fitness equipment guide on our website or join our Facebook group PAWSEE to ask us questions.

The FitPaws Duo Disc

This product originated for human fitness. On one side is a smooth surface with small shallow nubs and on the other side there are spiky nubs.  This product originally was introduced and distributed by Flexiness and called the TwinDisc. Later FitPaws helped distribute the Flexiness product along with their SensiMat. I will share below the pros and cons of the TwinDisc model that I have used for years.

Pros:

Beginner product: I preferred the Flexiness TwinDisc for beginner dogs. In fact two of my older TwinDiscs are out on loan for a beginner dog to get used to inflatable equipment before introducing the Propel. I get a sense of a dog’s arousal level and fitness stage during a session and will recommend different products based on my observations.

Larger surface space:  In comparison to the single small 14 inch discs, the TwinDisc allows for the dog to more comfortably stand on a larger/longer surface.  The TwinDisc is basically two small discs fused together.

Stable: The TwinDisc was far more stable than the FitBone or Propel.  It acts nothing like the FitBone, even fully inflated. Moderately inflated it does not flip under the dog’s feet, making it a safer choice for most dogs new to canine fitness, ones that have a higher arousal level or ones that have special conditions.

Cons 

Surface: The smooth surface side is smooth - and lacks grip even with the nubs.  This is not to be unexpected because it’s a human product and not one specially made for canines.  The reverse side the cone nubs are pretty spiky. So if you have a smaller or medium size dog the spiky nubs could be aversive.

Domed: The product even at lower inflation is not flat. It’s domed. This limits how much you can do with the product. I would not be doing front or rear leg lifts for example as it would place too much stress on the stablizing limb. Stepping on one side of the TwinDisc, can change the shape of the product substantially when at moderate inflation.

Challenging to inflate: The product is challenging to inflate to find the right inflation. It was inferior to the other canine products I have as it has what seems to be an interior membrane and it’s challenging to get the right inflation level requiring you to plug and unplug as you adjust.

Limited:  The Duo Disc is going to be limiting. It will only allow for a few exercises even used in conjunction with another Duo Disc.

Summary

At the time, taking into account some of these cons, it was still a favorite piece of mine. I used them a lot since it was a useful product over many of the products I had for various reasons of exercises and level of fitness. So when Flexiness introduced the new Flexiness product  I ordered them immediately.

Flexiness Twin Disc - Updated New Version

The new updated twin disc is by far the product that I reach for the most with my own dogs as well as client dogs new to fitness or ones that have special conditions.  For me, I have three dogs I use these almost exclusively.  One dog is on four medications to manage his epilepsy, one dog is a senior dog who will be 13 next month, and the other is my young exuberant sheltie.  All of the weaknesses or cons of the old Twindisc that I observed were addressed and fixed with the updated product.

Pros

Material of product: The surface and material of the new TwinDisc is far superior to the old Twindisc/Duodisc. The material is grippier and there are two different nub styles on each side. The nubs are softer and not as hard and spiky. The soft nubs add further grip, texture and tactile stimulation. If you push or put pressure on the new product, it doesn’t slide making it inherently safer. The new design and shape allows for greater versatility in exercises.

Flatter: The new product is flatter making it more versatile as well as a better overall surface for canine exercises. I can rotate the pieces for varying balanced stand exercises and various other canine fitness exercises.

More Stable: The product is lower to the ground and stable at moderate inflation. It does not flip and if a dog catches a corner or edge, it remains stable. Personally that is my favorite aspect. The edges don’t depress as is the case with the Fitbone or the older TwinDisc. This makes this piece an excellent beginner product for dogs new to canine fitness or dogs that have special conditions or high arousal levels. If you step on one side of the product it holds its shape much more than the older product. Dogs still get the benefit of inflatable equipment regardless of fitness level, while keeping safety a priority. If the dog steps off the equipment, it’s lower to the ground and reduces chance of injury if they misstep. It doesn’t flip or raise off the ground if the dog gets too close to the front or side edges. A product flipping forward or backward under the dog’s feet can cause the dog to hyperextend stressing muscles or step off wrong causing injury. That is why products that have this tendency need only be used with advanced dogs or dogs that have excellent body awareness.

Inflation:  Inflation is much easier to adjust than the old TwinDisc.

Cons

Price Point: The price point is higher than the Propel or the DuoDisc if you are in the states. In my opinion, for the value of safety there is no price on that aspect.  I will happily support products and spend more to give my dogs and other dogs entrusted to us, added safety especially for those with special conditions.

The Propel and Fitbone are as I have stated numerous times, advanced pieces of equipment for more advanced dogs in fitness and/or for more thoughtful dogs.  I realize owners may not want to invest in multiple pieces of equipment, but safety should always rule equipment choices and the new updated TwinDisc is not a piece that a dog would advance out of. It is still beneficial for dogs of all levels and due to the better design it allows for challenge to be incorporated apart from just inflation. The Duo Disc would be the more limiting product.  If an owner feels their beginner dog will outgrow a Duo Disc quickly as they advance, perhaps borrowing pieces from their CCFT trainer is an option.  Every dog is different, and if you have questions on what equipment is right for your dog we are happy to help guide you.  

Summary:

I would recommend the new Flexiness TwinDisc over the Duo Disc based on my experience working with both, the enhanced safety and versatility, and the improved overall design  

Flexiness Sensimat / FitPaws Mat

In terms of the new K9 FitMat I have not personally worked with it. I can tell you there are inexpensive mat items that are half the price of either mat if you are just looking for tactile stimulation. Bar mats can be bought at Amazon for $20 or less for two mats. These mats are shown below: 

SensiMat is shown below:

The bar mats are not as rigid as the SensiMat but work well if you are using them for puppies, or as target mats. I worked a lot with the bar mats with my senior and I use them for puppies for tactile stimulation.  I like the Sensimat for more targeted exercises over the bar mats since it’s more narrow and a bit more sturdy.  The criticism I have heard about the logo diminishing the tactile simulation or even being slippery has not been my experience. I use the Sensimat for certain jumping exercises and it is not slippery. The material is very grippy.  Since I have not personally seen or worked with the new mat I could not honestly appraise it against the SensiMat.  I would recommend either the SensiMat or the bar mats since I use both routinely and find them beneficial  

We will be answering questions in our free Facebook group PAWSEE. We hope this has been helpful!