Customer Reviews

Health Mark VF80002 Port-A-Vibe Whole Body Vibration Therapy Machine

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(This review is for the "Port-a-Vibe Whole Body Vibration Machine".)

If you are looking for a machine to do a high intensity workout on, this might not be the right one for you. It is a little small, the overall surface platform is only about 15 inches by 13 inches and it only has a single amplitude (vibration height) setting - maybe around 1 mm. This is not a vertical (up-and-down) or oscillating (side-to-side) type vibration machine - it just vibrates in all directions.

If you are looking for a machine for getting a great stretch whenever you need it, or a massage, or to improve circulation, the Port-a-Vibe is a good machine for those purposes. The centre of the platform, about a 10.5 inch diameter disc with dimples, rotates 360 degrees making this machine even more versatile. The whole surface vibrates, not just the rotating disc. And the vertical pole handle is removable.

But if you have a lower-back problem, any of the whole body vibration machines could be too jarring for the spine in the long-run (it may take a while to notice this problem), so be very careful when standing up on it with straight legs. Also, you can get sore heel-bones from standing up on it for longer periods of time - wearing a good pair of shoes might be helpful here, but this would reduce the vibration effect.

We have tried and compared the Port-a-Vibe to the following much more expensive whole body vibration machines:
Power Plate My3
Power Plate My5
Power Plate Pro5
Frequency Fitness 30
Frequency Fitness 50
Wave Contour Plus
Wave ProElite
Turbovibe Storm
Teutonic Zen-Pro 5900
VibroDisc (also called Power Fit PFM006)
Vitality 600
Mini Crazy Fit (butterfly shape)

The last three are oscillating type machines - the side-edges move up and down in a seesaw fashion and the centre is stationary (can be very rough and violent - amplitude of around 10 mm). After experiencing all of these machines, we can't recommend any of the oscillating type units - can be way too jarring on the body (including the head).

The other machines in the list are all vertical or triplanal of the mostly vertical, whole platform up-and-down-like movement (much smoother - with amplitudes of 1-3 mm).

If you want to do a real gym workout, the best one of the above listed machines is probably the Power Plate Pro5 - although it is pricey, very heavy, a little rough, noisy, but feels very strong and powerful.

The Wave ProElite has the largest usable platform and is the smoothest of the traditional (mechanical motor-driven) whole body vibration machines we have ever tried. Although it is a little too loud, especially at start up. It also has a beautiful, large, high resolution colour LCD display, and other features that can greatly enhance your workout experience.

But for overall health, the Turbovibe Storm with its electromagnetic vibration plate is the quietest and "healthiest" among all of the whole body vibration machines listed above. For rehabilitation purposes and increasing overall circulation, I believe, there may be no whole body vibration machine better than the Turbovibe Storm.

The Frequency Fitness 50 is a great value for the size of the platform and the vertical vibration frequency choices. But even at this "low" price, it has a list price of about 10-15 times higher than the Port-a-Vibe! And the Frequency 50 is very large, heavy (over 200 lbs) and noisier too - but it is smooth and has a great range of frequencies (25-50 Hz in single Hertz increments) and a frequency dependent adjustable amplitude between 1-2 mm in 0.5 mm increments.

The Port-a-Vibe is quiet, portable (weighs only about 12.5 lbs without the removable handle bar!) and has five frequency speeds (between 30 to 45 Hz) plus three program modes. But the user's body weight should not exceed 220 lbs. For the price (around $250), it is a very good machine for general stretching, loosening up joints, and a relaxing massage. But even with this more gentle machine, be careful with your head, neck, lower-back, and heels of your feet!

I have purchased many health and exercise machines to only abandon them a short time latter, so at first I was reluctant to purchase the Health Mark "Port-a Vibe" to help with my diabetic nerve condition.

I am so glad that I did! It helps to relieve the pain; and firm my leg muscles while letting the machine do its deep vibration of the entire body. In just a few days of use you can feel the difference. If fact the entire family is using it; and raving about how it makes them feel.

The "Port-a-Vibe" WORKS.Health Mark VF80002 Port-A-Vibe Whole Body Vibration Therapy Machine

This is a bargain. I already have a Health Mark Vibra-Fit (now discontinued) which I just love, but it is bigger and heavier. I bought this to fit easily in the corner of my bathroom. When I'm doing my hair in the AM I pull it out and jump on. I don't get around to using the other one much because it's in the other room. I could use it while watching TV, but if I'm just going to sit in front of the TV (not often), I'm tired and don't even want to stand on my Vibrafit.
This machine has 5 speeds/frequencies and also 3 different auto programs which change "speeds" during a 10 minute time period. I can feel which ones I like best. You can sit on it, stand on it, exercise on it. Weight-bearing exercise--stressing bones--creates a tiny electrical current within them that helps create new bone. Studies have shown that vibration at certain frequencies (around the same that are created in bones) help that process. I have read that astronauts teather themselves to a vibrating plate because they lose bone density because of being weighless in space.
I didn't care for the Power Plate I tried at a fitness store, much too strong a vibration, I thought I'd shake out of my skin. Too powerfull a vibration isn't good either, i.e. workers using a jack hammer for years. However, the Power Plate IS used by pro sports organizations. It is hugely expensive, big and very heavy though, even the home unit. Great for a big muscular guy, but way too much for little me.
The Port-a-Vibe has a 220 pound weight limit.
Even if the Port-a-Vibe doesn't have bone benefits (I believe it does), it is relaxing and feels good.

I just love this vibration machine. Its easy to take on trips, easy to store, and takes up very little space. I can easily say it is one of the best investments in maintaining optimum health that I have made. The vibe activates those fast twitch muscles that so often waste away as you age. Keeping those muscles in shape helps with mobility,balance,tone and gait. It also does wonders for sore muscles and recovery from minor injuries.