Frequency refers to the number of times per second the platform travels up and down through 1 complete cycle of movement. Research has shown that different vibration frequencies have different effects on the way forces are transmitted to the body. The Powerfit does not advertise their frequency range, but has been tested to have a maximum frequency of just 11Hz, whereas more than 95% of the 800+ studies on Whole Body Vibration research use frequency higher than this. If you want to achieve the scientific proven benefits of Whole Body Vibration, it is important the machine you purchase is capable of operating at the same settings used in the scientific research. Scientists have noted that insufficient vibration frequency could be the reason for failed outcomes.
| FREQUENCY OPTIONS | |
|---|---|
| Powerfit | 7-11Hz |
| Hypervibe G10 Mini | 5-25Hz |
| Hypervibe G14 Home | 5-30Hz |
| Hypervibe G17 Pro | 5-35Hz |
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G force refers to the intensity of the vibration, the more G force placed onto the body, the greater the body responds to that force. The Cardiotech Lifeback 2 has a maximum G force of just 3.5g, whereas Hypervibe machines can be controlled to produce very low G force like the Cardiotech Lifeback 2, or much higher levels of 10g or higher, depending on the model.
| G FORCE RANGE | |
|---|---|
| Powerfit | Up to 2.5g |
| Hypervibe G10 Mini | Up to 10g |
| Hypervibe G14 Home | Up to 14g |
| Hypervibe G17 Pro | Up to 17g |
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As we already discussed, frequency is an important factor in Whole Body Vibration, it is used to control different effects and benefits. For example, 6 to 8Hz is best suited for balance, 10 to 12Hz is best suited for relaxation, and 20-45Hz is best suited for training. With this being said, when you use a vibration machine it is important that you get a frequency reading from your machine so that you can target the benefits you are wanting to achieve.
The Powerfit does not give you any indication of the frequency setting on the control panel, instead the machine displays a range of speed levels from 1 to 20 that don’t really give you any idea of what frequency the machine is operating at.
When a company make claims that their product is supported by scientific evidence, it would not be unreasonable to expect such evidence can be provided. There are hundreds of scientific studies showing benefits of Whole Body Vibration, dating back over 20 years, however, not none of those studies used the Powerfit.
You might think, well it doesn’t really matter what type of machine was studied, what really matters is that there is scientific proof that Whole Body Vibration works, right?
Well no, when scientists conduct a study, there are many factors they choose which can cause a study to be successful or a study to fail. In Whole Body Vibration research, such factors include, how many times per week they use the machine, what exercises will be performed on the machine, how long each exercise will be performed for, and importantly what vibration settings will be used. If the vibration levels are too low, the forces placed onto the body can be too low to cause any benefits, alternatively, studies have shown that as forces are increased, the response from the body increases. Therefore, if a machine has not been used in scientific research, it is important to make review studies to make sure that the alternative product can produce the same levels of vibration used in the research.
Peer reviewed studies using Hypervibe equipment, able to produce vibration levels used in majority of the research.
No peer reviewed studies using Portable Type equipment, unable to produce vibration levels used in majority of the research.
In a 2012 comparison of over 41 different vibration machines, engineering test results showed that on average, the more G force a machine could produce, the more expensive it was.
