Customer Reviews

LifeSpan Fitness VP-1000 Vibration Plate

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I had never heard of whole-body vibration-therapy machines until seeing this one in an Amazon Gold Box special. Even though I was immediately intrigued, images of electroshock therapy machines (for treating refractory depression) and death-row electric chairs immediately began competing with recollections of 19th-century crackpot claims on behalf of the miraculous benefits of electrical devices (grow hair? reverse time?) to give me cause for pause. If you, like me, decide to ignore mundane common sense and to proceed, here's what to expect:

The device comes in two cartons, totaling almost 150 pounds (if I'd had five or ten bucks on me, I would have tried to persuade the two congenial, strapping young delivery men to carry the boxes up the two flights of stairs). The haul proved manageable for this 170-pound AARP card-carrier, though getting the machine out of the carton required some careful strategizing. I panicked a couple of times when it appeared I was missing critical bolts, screws, spring and flat washers, but the missing parts had been "temporarily" installed, requiring unscrewing and rescrewing. The two included Allen wrenches will probably serve you well enough, but if you have a magnetic Phillips and hex wrench handy, count yourself lucky. At times I could have used a second person but was nevertheless able to get the thing up and running in less than 2 hours.

Recommendations are, for most people, to use the device three times a week, limiting each session to ten minutes. The plate doesn't "shake and bake," or give you a 'buzz job" like the coin-operated foot-relief machines I recall seeing at carnivals. Rather it moves horizontally and vertically at the same time, oscillating at a speed guaranteed to leave the user heated up after a few minutes (compare it to a ride on a frisky pony). If you want to up the ante, the instruction manual includes a number of exercises--push-ups, sit-ups, squats--for those "extra-motivated" users who feel like adding their own movements to those of the machine. Nevertheless, simply standing on the moving plate is guaranteed to improve circulation and leave you steamed up. It's not a miraculous cure for whatever ails you, and I suspect the number of calories burned is minimal. But there would seem to be some validity to claims of improved bone density, better balance, more flexibility of the legs and lower anatomy, and symptomatic relief of some aches and pains.

You can spend ten grand and more for one of these on Amazon, but this LifeSpan model is a rugged, fully-outfitted, near-professional piece of equipment that should satisfy amateur and advanced fitness freaks alike. Used judiciously, it should be safe for just about anyone (though pregnant contestants best not apply).

I can feel the difference in my joints and mobility from using the VP-1000. My wife also says the pain in her neck and shoulders is lessening. The assembly is not complicated and the allen wrenches necessary are included. I jumped on with some exercise weights and probably topped 270 pounds. The VP-1000 took it in stride. Check the weight limits on others. I looked for a vibration plate on eBay and elsewhere. As usual, Amazon had the best price with lighting fast shipping. I don't know how they do it. As the author of Top Gun Management, I fancy myself an expert in customer service and management. I come down hard on rip offs and inferior products. I don't think the VP-1000 or Amazon.com will disappoint you.

I waited a year to purchase this vibration plate and finally decided to go ahead after recent studies concluded the effectiveness of such training. Frankly, it's been a great incentive to exercise simply because it just feels so good! I start out my sessions just standing on it and it literally wakes up my body and I go through my routine with enthusiasm. I can't tell if it's given me extra muscle and bone mass, but the fact that I WANT to exercise with it may be meeting my goals anyway. Sadly, the cellulite seems to stick around and enjoy the workout, too, but I'm ever hopeful that it may eventually give up and go away. Anyway, after over two months of use, I'm still enthusiastic about this purchase.

After seeing this product on a Gold Box deal a while back, I decided to pull the trigger and purchase the LifeSpan Vibration Trainer. I can honestly say that I have been very satisfied up to this point with my decision to choose this method of strength training while being very skeptical at first.

It was actually recommended by my doctor and thru much research of the benefits of vibration. First and foremost it does not shake the weight off like some of these products have touted but I have seen a significant increase in my energy levels and my flexibility. I can certainly notice better blood flow primarily in my feet and less fatigue throughout the day in my muscles, most notably my lower body. There are twenty levels of "intensity" as they call it, and I have found that each level has its own benefit to specific muscle groups. I enjoy calf raises, and lunges on this machine at a lighter vibration interval. I feel as though I can strengthen my muscles and decrease the tension on my joints. The motion is a very fluid up and down, side to side vibration that seems to respond to applied pressure. It does not feel overwhelmingly shaky, but rather comfortably oscillating.

The machine is very solid and the handlebars have multiple grab points. The unit weighs about 110 lbs but does have transport wheels to move the unit if needed. When it came in two separate boxes, I was a bit skeptical at first thinking that a lot of assembly was required, but not the case. The manual was easy to follow and the tools were included which made it easy to assemble. There is a lot of information on line about the benefits. I would strongly recommend this to anyone who is starting to lose some range of motion, flexibility or looking to try something new to your workout.

I received my machine, put it together and I'm very impressed with it. Well built. I like the way the vibration plate vibrates. The plate actually vibrates, unlike the others that only go up and down, It actually moves in three directions.
I'm also amazed at how quiet and powerful this machine is.
Very easy to put the few parts together that's required.
This is a fantastic machine.

I love working out on this plate,it is easy to operate,my flexibility and muscle strength increased a lot. The workout itself is not exhausting at all,it is fun and it became a part of my daily routine.
For all questions I had, the customer service was very helpful, always got satisfying answers.As a massage therapist I can highly recommend this plate. It is very well made, easy to handle and if used regularly, you get results quickly.

This item arrived quickly, all the pieces were in the box. The instructions for assembly were not easy to figure out and it took me forever to discover that all the screws I thought I was missing were already installed, but I finally got it done. The unit itself seems heavy duty and it will shake the heck out of you. The manual is very sketchy, doesn't really give much detail about how to use the machine, i.e. how many minutes and on what setting level. I would like to know what the benefits and applications are for the various speeds since it goes all the way up to a level 20. I'm also not sure of the major benefits of the machine. My husband says it loosened up his lower back and so I bent over on it for a few minutes on level 20 and woke up in the middle of the night in extreme pain, so once again, better instructions would be very helpful! All in all I like it ok, but I'm not really convinced of major health benefits and definitely skeptical about the weight loss aspect for a somewhat expensive piece of equipment. But you can just stand on it and let it do the work so I guess that part is good. Was an impulsive buy and wouldn't waste that kind of money again as something to add to our home gym, but since we have it I guess it is ok. I give it a 3 because although it lacks good instructions the machine itself seems to be fairly well made and does work well. I just wouldn't really recommend spending the money on one of these things unless you have used one already and know this is what you want.

After reading the other reviews on this site and doing research on my own I decided to try this equipment. It came in two cartons delivered by two men but unlike the other reviewer said the total was not 150 lbs. One carton weighed 90 and the one weighed 30.8. It was challenging to get the heavy one up the stairs but I just flipped the box until I reached the top. I agree with the reviewer about the assembly instructions not being clear and not enough details about how to use the levels to get the intensity and results you want. I did buy a mat to put underneath it because I did not know if it would damage the carpet and I thought the extra cushioning may help to dampen the noise level, if any. I wasn't aware that it had adjustable legs to level it like on a washing machine. This is a good thing for a couple of reasons. The main one for me is that it does not sit flush on the floor. I ordered it Mar. 5th and received it Mar. 16th. My first tryout was Mar. 17th on Level 1 for 10 min. trying different positions for 1 min. at a time. I find the machine is quiet and I hope to get all the benefits it claims plus weight loss. Now I'm searching for an exercise DVD for this type of equipment. Wish me luck. luck.

After reading a couple of other reviews I felt I must edit and update my own to include something about the assembly instructions as this seems to be a bone of contention with some purchasers. I, too, had a few hiccups with the assembly mostly due to the fact that a few parts came pre-assembled, but the instructions directed me to assemble them anayway. This meant that certain parts appeared to be "missing" when they were actually assembled and certain steps of the directions needed to be skipped over because they were already put together.

So, I really didn't have much trouble with it after I realized they had pre-assembled a lot of the smaller stuff. It actually made it easier to put together. Please don't let this keep you from purchasing a vibration platform. If you read the rest of my review, you will find that it has been a wonderful purchase for me. I think it is really amazing and requires almost no effort to be effective.

I am a 41 year old mother of 3 kids. I am at my ideal weight already, but my last pregnancy (which ended 18 months ago) left me with a mildly prolapsed bladder which no amount of regular exercising could snap back into shape. Also, after having 3 kids, the repeated weight gain and loss had left the backs of my legs looking saggy and unattractive. I was getting what I can only call "pre-celluite" and my skin in that area just looked uneven and a lumpy.

After using the LifeSpann VP-1000 for about 2 months, I have actually lost about 4 pounds and am experience a drastic improvement in the pain I was having from my prolapsed bladder. Plus I haven't had a bladder infection at all during this time (bladder infections are an unfortunate side effect of this condition). Also, to my amazement, the backs of my legs are taking on an almost unbelievable glass-like smootheness that I haven't had since I was in my 20's. Seriously, I can't believe it when I look in the mirror! Lastly, I think my butt is getting a little perkier too!

While I have no idea if it helps obese people or elderly people (these are it's target groups), I can assure you from my own experience, it helps people who are at their ideal weight and who need a a lot of toning on their lower body! I will update in a few months to let you know for sure about my hopeful "butt-lift", but it looks good so far.

I give this product rave reviews! If you are on the fence, take a leap of faith. I did, and I am THIRILLED with my results!

December 30, 2011.

It's true! My butt, hips, thighs and lower abdomen are all looking amazing. My lower hips (around my pelvic area) went from 38.5 inches to 36.5 inches and my thighs went from 21.5 to 19.5 inches. My skin has become amazingly smooth and firm looking and it just keeps getting better. Also, I haven't changed my diet much in any way or even begun any other regular excersizing. I think by the time bikini season rolls around again, I might give a lot of 25 year olds a run for their money...and I am being serious! I doubt I will update again because I just keep saying the same thing: It's worth it! It's SOOOOOOO worth it!

I like the machine but I have nothing to compare it to. However, I wrote the company about a small problem; a section of the top pad was not glued down: THEY DID NOT ANSWER. I could not find a local machine to try first. All of the gyms in my area did not know what I was talking about. A natural health "expert" is recommending an expensive power plate in a newsletter I get. People who have tried mine are either impressed (exercisers) or confused (non-exercisers).