Customer Reviews

ProForm Activator V7 Vibration Training Machine

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

 

 

I also purchased this machine using Costco online for $399.00/free shipping in early Jan. There are a few reasons for purchasing this machine in particular. One, the price is outstanding. Two, a much larger base for standing, and three, the adjustable weights. There are three different mhz levels, 25, 30 and 35. I've been pretty consistently using the 30mhz setting and find this very adequate for me. I've been using it every other day since purchase and find that my clothes are already looser and my muscles don't hurt as much and I have much more flexibility at my core. The larger base on this machine allows me to sit on it and stretch out my spine and legs with great ease. Sit ups are much more comfortable on this base as well. I am a massage therapist working with my chiropractor husband in our practice and we've both been very actively researching the benefits of Vibrational therapy (wave therapy) in our fields. Some of these machines range in the $20,000+ category without much difference than this $399.00 machine. We purchased this for our home to test it out before putting one in our practice. So far, as I've stated I have seen tremendous results. I am especially excited about my wrists and hands as well as my shoulders not hurting since I've been using the Proform Activator. My husband has a slight right knee issue and it has been very nicely resolved since using this machine. I would also like to mention that although we get much information sent to us on many vibrational products and their uses the most helpful information I found was on youtube. I just typed in Proform Activator and found some information and then typed in vibrational excercise, machine, etc.. and tons of very relevant information popped up. If you are researching these machines youtube is a good place to start. I will be purchasing another Proform Activator for my practice since I can't possibly give up the one I have now. It is stable and well built with a large enough base for almost all of our patients to get benefit from. The three speeds is a big plus and I forgot to mention that as well as the three speed settings there are also three different time settings...30, 45 and 60 second intervals. Very nice indeed.

I ve had mine for about 3 months now and I must say that I doubt that [...] has written a legitimate review. I doubt seriously that he has ever used this machine. I have found that the vibration setting at 35 hz is almost overwhelming, so that part about having to stand in the middle is pure hogwash. I have found that it does exactly what it says it will do. I have worked out off/on for years with weights at Golds Gym. I must admit, when I tried it I was totally skeptical, but now I realize that this is not hype. In the high hz ranges the next day you actually have sore muscles that I would have to put in a hard hour or so workout at the gym to feel. I can feel myself and see myself starting to make substantial gains using the Activator. As far as the iFit, they only give you the demo and there are no other cards available yet. I called the company and they are expecting to release several iFit workout chips by the end of 2009 for the V7. Admittidly, I did buy mine at Costco, with their unlimited return policy for about $300 less, with free shipping. I am a very satisfied customer and have no plans on returning mine.
UPDATE: 9-22-09 I HAVE NOW BEEN USING THIS MACHINE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND IT HAS WORKED BETTER THAN ANYTHING I COULD IMAGINE. I VE LOST 28 LBS AND CHANGED BY BODY COMPOSTION AND LOST 15% OF MY BODY FAT AND GAINED 9% MUSCLE. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I AM ACTUALLY GETTING RIPPED AND DEFINED. I ONLY WORK OUT 20-30 MINUTES 3 TIMES A WEEK USING THE VIDEO THAT CAME WITH IT. ITS TOTALLY AMAZING TO ME THAT THE GENERAL EXERCISING PUBLIC DOSENT HAVE A CLUE THIS TECHNOLOGY EXISTS. THE RESULTS FROM USING THE PLATFORM
ARE INCREDIBLE AND I 'USED' TO SPEND 4-5 HOURS A WEEK IN GOLDS GYM AND NEVER HAVE I EVEN STARTED TO SEE THE RESULTS I VE MADE WITH THIS MACHINE. I DONT WORK FOR THE COMPANY OR ANYTHING ELSE, I AM JUST TOTALLY GLAD TO HAVE FINALLY FOUND A SYSTEM THAT ACTUALLY WORKS.

Okay, first off I would like to say that it is very important to assemble this machine correctly. I have read some reviews on the web that some people are having issues with the machine being dead after putting it together. The reason why they are having this issue is that they are pinching the wire assembly at the bottom of the base and lower upright (neck) portion. It is very important not to pinch any of the wires or it will appear dead after assembling. If you put the machine together and it does not work afterward you pinched the wires somewhere and most likely where I mentioned.

This machine definitely rivals $2000.00 machines that I have tried. The base is bigger, it does not oscillate, which means it's a tri-planar vibration machine. Basically your cheapest machines oscillate and you're more expensive ones use tri-planar motion. In Basic English this machine is excellent for rehabilitation and weight control.

I have also heard people mention that you have to stand in the middle to feel anything. This is false information and the vibration is felt throughout the whole base. The different levels offer an excellent variety with this machine.

The quality of construction is top notch. The material used is tough and sturdy. It is easy to assemble if you have someone to help you and it's also manageable to assemble by yourself. Some people have complained that it is difficult to assemble and that the instructions are not clear. This is not true. The instructions are clear and if you read all the steps one at a time without skipping ahead you will find the instructions clear and concise. Most likely the people having issues assembling this machine are not mechanically inclined and they skipped reading each detail of construction.

Do yourself a favor and buy this machine. Total body vibration is awesome. I have had sciatic problems and this machine is helping tremendously for my pain.

I bought this product a few weeks ago for 399 at Costco. It arrived within a week, and I got free shipping too! So far it is exactly what I was hoping for. The workout CD that it came with is very easy to follow and has 3- 10 minute workouts. I have worked out with weights in the gym, but I have to say, I definitely had sore muscles after these workouts, and in a fraction of the time. I am now looking forward to the Ifit workout cards that are due out in 2009. I would recommend this to anyone looking to cut their workout time and still get results. It also helps with those with chronic pain. My chiropractor has a vibration platform in their office and recommends it.

I must admit that when I first heard about whole body vibration, I was a bit leery about the concept, but this machine works and it works just as well as the power plate that I demo'ed about 2 years ago. The DVD has 3 workout options all of which if done properly will yield quick results. I've been 'vibrating' for 2 weeks now and already feel more firm especially in the thighs. While on the machine you feel 'the burn' in a much shorter time than traditional workouts which makes for better time management which motivates you do the routine more often. The platform is plent large and will accommodate many exercise positions. My only suggestion is to equip the activator with attachable straps to better transmit vibration to the upper body/limbs.

we ordered this exercise proform v7 machine. It didnt work to begin with.
company was contacted after several attempts and a tech came ..he couldnt fix it and ordered some parts
after part came in 2-3 weeks the tech still couldnt fix it.
another 2-3 weels another part and tech came and same thing..nothing was fixed.

then after several attempts we were told that they will replace it...another 2-3 weeks passed by and we were told they will
make another attempt to fix it and will not replace it.

then they said since we bought from amazon..amazon will replace it

Sad part is amazon says we have to contact the company to replce it...

we feel bad that we bought it from amazon and also that we bought this bad company equipment
wont recommend it at all

Although I am happy with this product, it would have been very nice to have information regarding the therapeutic benefits. All the information included was regarding exercise programs. There was nothing about which settings to use for a program designed to increase bone density, muscle tone, balance, etc. I have spent a lot of time researching the benefits of whole body vibration therapy and trying to understand how the settings might be most beneficial.

I purchased one of these Pro Form Activators. Assembled it. Plugged it in and it does not work. Yes, the wires are pinched.
I'm in the process of getting that fixed. The second frustration. It is impossible to purchase the WiFit card for the Pro Form Activator.
I've tried contacting several sites for seven months now. I've sent emails to every website I could find, and asked if they specifically have the WiFit card for the PRO FORM ACTIVATOR, and every time they send me a link to a ramdom WiFit page for every thing except the PRO FORM ACTIVATOR.
I want to scream. It's apparent that the customer service department for this company is dead.

I got mine from COSTCO with free shipping and it arrived a day earlier than scheduled by UPS.The box weighed 142 lbs. and I took out the parts, so I did not have to carry the whole box for assembly.It took a while to put it together, because I did not have the right tools but a gerber which helped out to put it together. It took me two hours.
It came with all the parts and an allen wrench.It took me two hours because the instructions were in spanish, I do not read spanish.
Anyway, after it was put altogether, I read the instructions and it has a chip for the unit and it comes with an instructional exeercise DVD, and pictures.
IT warns for usage, if there are herniations, pregnancies, etc.
The Activator's Vibration Plate is huge, and really, two people could stand on it,as long they are not huge themselves.But that is not what I recommend to do.The plate is large enough to do a lot of the given exercises.I only have used it once and will see how far it will go. The price is really good for such large vibration plate.
And it vibrates at the lowest the water in my ears when I stand on it!
But I have more proform exercise items, and have no complaints.They served their purpose well and I do not have to go to a gym.
I gave it a three star, because it is new and I do not know how much it will impact my exercises. I would give it a four star for the quality of the item (because the bar is a little weak I think)and a five star for the base plate.
The sixty second maximum exercises are great and it is good to have it that just for a short time.
I will order more Proform items in the future, they are good for home use.

Update:
The thing still works...
I have used it now for three days after assembly, three times, not as recommended but for all 22 minutes combined. I woke up this morning and saw a change. My abdomen actually is defining with muscles. I was surprised, because it would take me six weeks to get where I am at now(I have done it before,then gave up again), and this takes little effort and in 3 days?
This is crazy, but I will continue to use it, I am seeing a change like never before, and I have on child.It is not easy to lose that weight after a child, even when some of us women are older and the child is older, but this extra weight would not go away, no matter how hard you try.I will have an update later on again,depending on how long this machine will work and what will happen to my body.
Right now, I do not regret this purchase.
Latest update:
It has been I think 8 days since the last update. I have been using "it" every day between 5 to 15 minutes- not to the recommendation accordingly 3 times a week.But I have so much fun with it. And I am seeing results, that is so crazy. My waistline is defining and I have lost a little bit of weight. It actually has little effort to use it and the results I have received in 8 days would have taken me two months...At this time, I am so happy with the pace of how my figure is improving.

I have now purchased 2 of these units...the first one worked for a bit over a month. ProForm/ICON Health were less than helpful but eventually did send someone out who'd never even seen the equip. Parts were ordered; 2 months later they finally arrived;same nice guy came out but couldn't even get the box off the base because the screws were stripped. I faxed co. and never got a reply. I finally just hauled it back to Costco and of course, they are great! So...color me slow...but I loved this unit WHEN it worked so I ordered another one! I disagree with reviewer "P. Judd" below about pinching wires, etc. Yes, that can happen but my 2nd one was professionally assembled and worked for one 30 second rotation...never to work again. I hauled it back to Costco! Do not waste your time, effort, or money. If the Co. cared AT ALL about service, they'd make sure I got one that worked. Trust me...they don't give a rats tail. My installer says it's lousy workmanship in China and no quality control. Good luck if you buy one of these!