With all the different vibration machines now available, how do we know which ones are the best? According to the research, the benefits of vibration machines range far and wide: Bone density, muscle toning, balance, flexibility, lymphatic drainage, a decrease in cortisol, an increase in serotonin and Human Growth Hormone…these are just the beginning of studied vibration exercise benefits.

So the question is: which vibration machine do you choose? How do you even begin to narrow down your search with the seemingly dozens of machines on the market?

Unfortunately, there are no true unbiased consumer review sites to rely on. Also, there are a lot of bogus review sites that mislead and even scam potential buyers by referring them to those vibration companies that pay the biggest referral fees to the site owner. Our goal with these 10 consumer tips is to help you narrow down the dozens of machines out there in order to find the right one for you.

Tip #1 – I s the vibration machine a pivotal/oscillating machine?

There are two main types of vibration machines used for vibration exercise and therapy: pivotal, or oscillating, and vertical, or linear (you can also place tri-planer in this second group as it mainly goes up and down). The original type is pivotal. These systems create a very smooth and powerful tilting or tetter-totter-like vibration movement like the original Galileo used by the Russian Space program. These have been shown in independent research to be the safest and most effective method of whole body vibration exercise.

The second type is known as linear, vertical, or even tri-planar and came along later as an attempt to compete with the pivotal machines. The movement of these platforms goes straight up and down about 2 millimeters.

Although both have been used in scientific research studies, many people find vertical machines hard on the head and body. Frequencies are 30 hertz and up, and research in 2007 by the National Space Biomedical Institute found that in all the body postures they tested: "transmission of vibration to the head was 71 to 189% greater during vertical (Lineal) than rotational (Pivotal) vibration." and that "rotational (Pivotal) vibration has the lowest risk of negative side effects." (Abercromby, A., et al. Vibration Exposure and Biodynamic Responses During Whole Body Vibration Training. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Oct;39(10):1794-800.)

Also, the biggest danger with vertical/linear vibration machines is that it can jar the spine like a jack hammer.

Pivotal vibration machines are the easiest type of vibration to use in an exercise program, meaning it is the most effective and comfortable for those of all ages and fitness levels to use on their own, regularly and without a personal trainer.

Pivotal machines also have the added advantage of allowing you to adjust the
amplitude and intensity of the workout by moving your feet closer in towards the center of the platform. So if you are standing at the outer edges of the platform and find it is too strong for you even at the lowest intensity, you can simply move your feet in closer together for less vigorous a workout. You cannot do this on a linear, vertical, or tri-planar machine.

The Noblerex K1 platinum is the best machine on the market that most closely matches the original whole body vibration machine, the Galileo. It is 1/4 the price of the original Galileo with almost all the same benefits, and in a survey at Ohio State University, 26 out of 28 people actually preferred the Noblerex K1 over the more expensive Galileo.

P.S. If the machine is claiming to have 2 or more types of motors or vibrations, run away! These machines have not been proven to be safe on the body as they have only been out 1 or 2 years now. Looking at specs, it is clear that they cannot perform either vibration movement up to par with those machines specializing in one type of vibration.

Tip #2 – Does the vibration machine have the best range of frequencies to give you the results?

Frequency is one of the most important things to look for. If a vibration machine is not fast enough (or powerful enough – see tip #4), you are going to be missing out on the whole body vibration exercise benefits you’re most likely seeking.

The frequency, also known as Hertz (Hz), is the number of times the platform moves up and down per second. On pivotal/oscillating machines the standard range is 7-28 Hz. On vertical/linear machines, the standard range can be 30-60 Hz. Comparing one to the other is like comparing apples to oranges so it’s best to decide on whether you want a vertical or pivotal machine first (tip #1).

Despite what machine websites may say, the cheaply made machines from China do not go up to 28 Hertz. It’s more like 14 hertz. Remember, if the machine is not strong enough, not only are you not going to get as good of a workout, but you might not get the therapeutic and holistic benefits of whole body vibration exercise.

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