Vibration Plate Buying Guide ... Movement & Parameters
Comprehensive knowledge & insights by Jay Tang
With so many vibration plate models available in the market, choosing the right one can be a challenge. You might not even know which aspects to consider. This comprehensive vibration plate buying guide simplifies the definitions and logics, helping you make an informed choice.
For a vibration plate, the most important factors to examine are its movement pattern, frequency and amplitude. It is crucial to understand how these parameters interact with your body, and how they relate to the intensity.
According to their movement patterns, vibration plates in the market can be classified into four categories. Within the same category, they share similarities in their frequency and amplitude range.
Linear Vibration
Pivotal Oscillation
Multi-motion 3D/4D
Solenoid Oscillation
Category
Movement
Frequency
Amplitude
Linear Vibration
Vertical
High
Low
Pivotal Oscillation
Seesaw
Low
High
Multi‑motion 3D/4D
Seesaw + side‑to‑side
Low
High
Solenoid Oscillation
Vertical
High
Very Low
Your first step is to determine the category to which a vibration plate belongs. This will enable you to better comprehend its movement pattern, parameters, and the applications.
The excessive number of vibration plate models offerred in the market may be overwhelming. Nonetheless, manufacturers predominantly utilize only two types of mechanical actuators to create these models. By identifying the specific actuator(s) within the machine, you can readily determine its category.
Two types of mechanical actuators
1) Eccentric wheel + spring device - producing linear vibration.
Most vibration plate models employ one of these two actuators. Multi-motion vibration plates employ two or three of these actuators.
Other actuators that might be used to make a vibration plate.
Solenoid actuator is probably the only other actuator adopted in vibration plates that have actual commercial significance. In this buying guide, we put these vibration plates in a separate category, even though it has a very small sales volume.
Various other mechanical actuators, such as gear racks, pistons, and cam devices, are commonly used for generating reciprocating movements. However, they either require complex designs and high precision, or they can wear out quickly in rapid movements like in a vibration plate. While they were employed in certain early versions of low-frequency vibration plates, they have gradually been phased out.
Eccentric wheel + spring devide and four-bar linkage device are the most practical mechanical actuators for whole body vibration plates.
Most vibration plate models in the market are redundant, generic OEM models sold under various white-labels. Sellers purchase the existing models designed by OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) in China, put on their private labels, and sell them through platforms like Amazon. Some sellers may make cosmetic changes, while others merely attach their logos.
Manufacturers often come up with their own terminologies in reference to their vibration plate models, such as 3D, 4D, tri-planar, vertical, wave, pulse, and more. These terms may not provide you with much information or understanding about the movement patterns. Many terms are made up for marketing purposes. Some are misused or misleading.
What to compare when choosing a vibration plate?
Vibration Motion Pattern
Linear vibration
Pivotal oscillation
Multi-motion 3D/4D
Solenoid oscillation (rare)
Vibration Parameters & Tech Specs
Frequency
Amplitude
G-force
Motor Power
Purpose and Usability
Exercise board size
Sea-saw movement vs vertical movement
Handrail
Floor shake issue
Machine jump or drift
Vibration noise
Design style
Functions
For home use, you should be aware of the potential negative impact that a vibration plate may have on you house structure. You should use the machine on a solid floor that resists vibration.
Vibration can shake your house
Vibration plates should be used on solid floors that resists vibration, like a concrete floors, or a wooden floors tightly attached to a concrete substrate.
If used on a wood frame floor, the vibration plate can vibrate your floor, and the floor joist will further transmit the vibration to the connecting stud walls, shaking your house. Over time, the vibrations may loosen your house structure.
Don't use a vibration plate in a mobile home.
In some apartment buildings, using a vibration plate may bother your neighbors.
If necessary, you can place an anti-vibration cushion, like a thick EVA foam exercise mat, underneath your vibration plate. This will help absorb the vibrations transmitted to the floor.
A large-sized exercise mat, such as 4'x4' with a thickness between 1/2" and 1", can be a practical solution.
The anti-vibration cushion absorbs some of the vibrations transmitted to the floor, and it also reduces the vibration intensity.
Please consult a housing structure expert about using a vibration plate in your house.
Often referred to as a vertical vibration plate, a linear vibration plate moves primarily in the vertical direction. Linear vibration plates are usually designed to vibrate at high frequency and low amplitude.
The mechanical actuator that generates linear vibration is an eccentric wheel + spring device.
Engineering drawing of VT003F Linear Vibration Plate
The rotation of the eccentric wheel creates an unbalanced centrifugal force that moves the upper platform along a cyclical path. The springs support the upper platform and regulate its movement in the vertical direction. The spring force is proportional to its length change, meaning the force and length change have a linear relationship. Consequently, this type of movement is called linear vibration.
The vertical vibration can transmit to your upper body and head. Some people may get nauseous and dizzy when their stomach and brain are vibrated.
To reduce or prevent vibrations from transmitting to your upper body, you can bend your knees or lift your heels on the vibration plate. Knee bending is also the best pose to exercise your lower limb muscles.
Linear vibration plates can be designed to achieve higher vibration frequencies, but lower amplitudes. Most linear vibration plates in the market are designed with a frequency range between 15Hz and 50Hz, and a maximum amplitude from 2 to 3mm.
(exaggerated animation)
Although it is called a vertical vibration plate, a linear vibration plate actually moves in both vertical and horizontal directions. The movement follows a vertical oval path. The springs primarily regulate the movement in the vertical direction and restrict it in the horizontal direction.
Vertical movement is what we need for a whole body vibration plate, as it works against gravity and maximizes the influence of vibration acceleration on our musculoskeletal system. Vertical acceleration is safe and natural because our body structure is designed to overcome gravity.
Linear Vibration Plate Model VT007 ($399.99)
Pivotal Oscillation
Planar For-bar Linkage
A pivotal oscillation plate moves like a seesaw. Its upper platform oscillates around a fixed center pivot axis, so literally, pivotal oscillation.
The mechanical actuator that generates pivotal oscillation is a planar four‑bar linkage device, or four‑bar device.
Engineering drawing of VT027 Pivotal oscillation Plate
Pivotal oscillation plates are usually designed to oscillate at low frequency and high amplitude. Because of their low prices, pivotal oscillation plates are the most commonly sold type of home use whole body vibration plate.
Pivotal Oscillation Plate Model VT027
($249.99)
Pivotal oscillation is actually not vibration.
Pivotal oscillation plates resemble an oil pumpjack, which is also a four‑bar device.
Pivotal oscillation is actually not vibration. It lacks the characteristics of vibration, except for its reciprocating movement. Unlike vibration, pivotal oscillation plate does not have damping effect.
Nevertheless, the market has adopted the pivotal oscillation plate as a vibration plate.
When you stand on a pivotal oscillation plate, the effect of up-and-down movement is mostly below your hips.
Above the waist, your body moves mostly in horizontal direction. Your waste becomes another pivotal point. You feel your upper body swinging left and right around your waist.
Since most of its vertical movement does not transfer over to your upper body, pivotal oscillation plate usually don't upset your stomach and brain.
Because of its high amplitude and left-right swing, users need to be aware and maintain good balance on a pivotal oscillation plate.
Most pivotal oscillation plates are designed to oscillate at low frequency (less than 14Hz) and high amplitude (between 8mm and 10mm)
side-to-side pivotal oscillation
side-to-side
pivotal
A planar four-bar linkage device can also be designed to produce lateral movement - side-to-side pivotal oscillation.
Some manufacturers make vibration plates that combine two four‑bar devices: one that produces seesaw pivotal oscillation, the other side-to-side pivotal oscillation. These are multi-motion type vibration plates, which lead us to our next discussion.
Multi-motion 3D/4D
2 Planar Four-bar Linkage
A multi-motion vibration plate has a combined movement pattern of seesaw and side-to-side motion. This type of machine consists of two planar four-bar devices that provide two types of pivotal oscillations (moving in two directions).
Manufacturers often refer to this type of vibration plate as "3D" model.
The two four-bar devices are driven by two separate motors, each individually controlled. Some sellers refer the side-to-side oscillation as "linear vibration", which causes confusion.
Engineering drawing of a 2-motor "3D" vibration plate
(The long gray bar on the left drags the platform moving side‑to‑side.)
Seesaw + Side-to-Side = 3D
The animations below illustrate two pivotal oscillation movements combined to form a "3D" movement.
seesaw
+
side-to-side
=
3D
Then what is a 4D vibration plate?
4D Vibration Plate
A 4D vibration plate is build based on a 3D model by attaching a small motor and eccentric wheel assembly beneath the platform.
Such a machine has 3 motors that drive 3 different actuators, each individually controlled. It is so created that manufacturers could just label it a "4D" for the purpose of product differenciation.
3D + Eccentric Wheel = 4D
In fact, a 4D vibration plate does NOT actually make much a difference compared to a 3D one.
The added eccentric wheel is useless. In such a 4D model, there is no spring mechanism designed to allow the centrifugal force created by the rotating eccentric wheel to move the platform up and down. Therefore, the added small actuator does not actually drive much displacement, only causing a tiny tremor on the surface and adding some noise. The seller call this movement "pulsation". It actually does not influence your body.
A small eccentric wheel mounted in a LifePro Rumblex 4D Vibration Plate
3D
+
motor+ eccentric wheel
=
4D
3D and 4D vibration plates are created for marketing hype. There is no logic and significance that a complicated movement pattern is more beneficial than a simple movement. It may actually be the opposite. The side-to-side oscillation of a 3D/4D model does not engage muscle work; instead, it harms the user's knee joints.
side-to-side oscillation is harmful
Side-to-side oscillation can be harmful to knee joints. It can cause the wear and tear between the patella (kneecap) and femur trochlear groove, damaging the cartilage. It also improperly stresses the knee ligaments (LCL, MCL, ACL and PCL) that connecting the femur and tibia.
The musculoskeletal structure of our knee joint is designed for making up-and-down and forth-and-back movements. Forceful left-and-right lateral movement at our knee joint goes against its designed purpose and mechanics. This kind of posture should be avoided in our daily physical activities, let alone doing it on a vibration plate that moves in a rapidly repetitive pattern.
LifePro Rumblex 4D vibration plate, for example, comes with a side-to-side oscillation. The seller refers their side-to-side oscillation as "linear'. Probably because the horizontal movement sounds like linear. It is confusing.
Side-to-side oscillation induces little skeletal muscle contraction, only stressing the knee ligaments in a wrong way.
No Synchronization, No Exercise Objective
An issue with a multi-motion vibration plate is that each actuator employs a separate motor, so the motions are not synchronized. Such a multi-motion vibration plate does not have a consistent rhythm and direction. Our neuromuscular
system may not get trained and enhanced from this type of random motion pattern. Also, without a consistent movement direction, you can not develop a proper pose to utilize the vibration movement for muscle work.
To create a multi-motion with a rhythm pattern, all motions need to originate from a single motor. Just like a 3-axis CNC machine, the rotations of all axes originate from a single motor. It would be costly to make such a single motor synchronized vibration plate to generate a multi-motion. There is no logic to create such a multi-motion, because there is no evidence that multi-motion is better than simple motions like pivotal oscillation and linear vibration, for health improvement purpose.
A simple linear vibration plate or a pivotal oscillation plate provides a consistent movement pattern, you can design your exercise poses to target certain muscle groups, for instance, performing L-squat to enhance muscles around the hip joint. However, on a multi-motion vibration plate, you cannot develop an exercise pose with a clear objective.
A Lifepro 4D model
We do not recommend multi-motion types of vibration plate because their motions are not synchronized.
Due to its random motion pattern and movement direction, it is not possible to develop good exercise poses on this type of vibration plate. Improper pose can hurt your muscles, bones and the connecting tissues.
We are strongly against using side-to-side oscillation.
Side-to-side oscillation may hurt your knees.
Our recommendation is either a simple pivotal oscillation plate (seesaw) or a linear vibration plate. These two simple motion vibration plate move primarily in the vertical direction. These models are reliable and have received abundant positive ratings and feedback from a large population of users.
Solenoid actuator can produce high frequency but very low amplitude reciprocating movement. A couple of manufacturers use such a actuator to build their vibration plates - solenoid oscillation vibration plates.
Due to its very low amplitude, manufacturers call solenoid oscillation plate as low intensity vibration plate.
The amplitude a solenoid oscillation plate can achieve is actually extremely low, and it does not induce your muscles to contract on this type of vibration plate.
Juvent vibration plate
There are not many vibration plate models adopt solenoid oscillation device, probably only two.
Juvent vibration plate is probably a solenoid oscillation plate. Although not disclosed in its product literature, from a patent document found in Juvent's website, we guess that Juvent vibration plate employes solenoid device to generate its oscillation.
Another vibration plate model that may adopt solenoid oscillation device is Marodyne. There is not much product information provided in its website. However, Marodyne is somehow related to Juvent. It looks like Marodyne is a newer version of Juvent. The two models look very similar.
Unlike pivotal oscillation plates and linear vibration plates that have been used by a large user population and have accumulated huge volume of reviews for their safety and effectiveness. Solenoid oscillation plate, because of its high price, lacks real life testimonials for their effectiveness.
Vibration frequency indicates the how many reciprocating movement a vibration plate performs in a second.
Linear vibration plates is usually designed to run a higher frequency range, 15Hz to 40Hz. Some offer fixed frequency, others offer variable frequency.
Pivotal oscillation plates is usually designed to run a lower frequency range, 5Hz - 14Hz. Most pivotal oscillation plates offer variable frequency.
You can choose the vibration frequency depending on what body part and intensity you intend to use vi bra it on intervention. Resonance effect is an important factor to consider when choosing a frequency.
When the vibration frequency equals the natural frequency of the object, the vibration amplitude of the object achieves the highest value.
Large mass and flexible objects have lower natural frequency. Small mass and rigid objects have higher natural frequency.
Human body as a whole has a large mass and is flexible, so it has lower natural frequency about 5Hz. When you purposely tense your body (becoming more rigid), your whole body natural frequency can increase to 10Hz. So 5Hz - 10Hz vibration frequency can get your body to vibrate at the highest amplitude. A pivotal oscillation plate can swing your body high.
Skeletal muscles have a small mass, so they have higher natural frequency above 10Hz. When vibrated, our skeletal muscles contract and make themselves more rigid. Their natural frequency increases as they contract more intensively. So the natural frequency of skeletal muscle has a wider range between 10Hz and 40Hz. A linear vibration plate can get muscles to move more intensively.
On vertical direction, the amplitude of a vibration plate is the distance of the highest point and the the lowest point that the upper platform travels to.
A linear vibration plate has lower amplitude less than 3mm. Its amplitude yield to the body weight and affected by the frequency.
A pivotal oscillation plate has higher amplitude, usually 8-10mm. Its amplitude does not yield to body weight and not affected by the frequency.
G-force
G-force is an important indicator of vibration intensity. Some manufacturers don't provide the G-force value of their vibration plates, but if you know the frequency and the amplitude, you can calculate the G-force of your machine.
So called G-force, it is actually not a force, but an acceleration rate expressed in the unit of G, the acceleration rate of gravity.
G-force provides a good way to compare the intensity of different vibration plates.
For a linear vibration plate, a 80W - 120W motor is sufficient for up to a 300LB user's body weight.
For a pivotal oscillation plate, a 200W - 300W motor is sufficient for up to a 300 LB user's body weight.
The user's body weight recommendation also relates to the structure and the build of the machine.
VT007 DC motor - 80W
You don't necessarily need to choose a vibration plate with a large motor. Motor capacity is meant to suit the designed frequency, amplitude, structure, user's body weight, and the anticipated potential load surge. Manufacturers should all know to properly select a suitable motor.
Commercial grade linear vibration plates are usually designed with bigger motors (up to 300W), because
they are designed with bigger eccentric wheels and springs with higher stiffness, in order to achieve better stability and less amplitude yield to heavier body weight.
Power Plate Pro7
[Example] Power Plate Model Pro7, a large commercial grade vibration plate, has a nominal operation power in the range between 160W and 265W.
[Example] VT007 linear vibration plate has a 80W motor (rated capacity). Its operation power consumption is between 50W and 60W.
Linear vibration plates employ smaller motors than pivotal oscillation plate because of their flexible link system. For a linear vibration plate, the load change does not affect the power consumption.
Pivotal oscillation plates are usually designed with larger motors to provide the needed buffer for load surge.
Usability & Purpose
Exercise Board Size
A large and flat exercise board is preferable for a whole body vibration plate. Large and flat board can accommodate many exercise postures.
Obviously you will also need to decide if a large and heavy machine is a good fit for your house.
Sea-saw Motion vs Vertical Motion
Pivotal oscillation plates have a sea-saw motion which limits many exercise poses.
Linear vibration plates have evenly distributed vertical vibration on the entire upper platform, which can accommodate more exercise postures.
Handrail
Confidence vibration plate
Handrail is a good feature for physically weak users.
Handrail limits the use of vibration plate for many poses. For some exercise poses, like L-squat, handrail attached to the machine may be too close to the body.
You can also free up your hands so you can hold a pair of dumbbells.
Handrail also makes the machine heavy and bulky.
Vibration plates with a small base and light weight may NOT be suitable for installing a handrail. Because the base weight is low, the user can tip-over with the machine. Therefore, for home use small size vibration plate, we don't recommend a handrail installed on the machine.
Alternative to using a handrail installed on a vibration plate, you can use a wall-mounted bar or a piece of heavy furniture.
Floor Shaking Issue
You need to be aware about floor shaking issue when using a vibration plate in your home.
Vibration plates should be used on a solid floor, like a concrete floor or a wood floor that is tightly installed on a concrete substrate.
using a cushion mat below a vibration plate
If using a vibration plate on a frame structure wood floor, the machine can vibrate the floor and the connecting structure. Overtime, vibration will loose the house structure.
A high frequency linear vibration plate creates more impact on a house than a low frequency pivotal oscillation plate.
Basements and garages are the best places to use a vibration plate.
If necessary, you can use a thick exercise mat beneath your vibration plate to absorb some downwards vibration.
Machine Jump or Drift
Home-use vibration plates are light weight. If your body weight is not on the machine, the vibration force can overcome the machine weight and cause the machine to jump or drift on the floor.
It is not an issue as long as you keep your body on the machine when it is vibrating.
It is recommended to use your vibration plate on a carpeted floor. The carpet provides some buffer and friction that can prevent the machine from jumping or drifting.
The video below demonstrates how a pivotal oscillation plate (VT027) without a user on it starts to jump when the frequency reaches a certain value.
pivotal oscillation plate jumping on the floor
Always keep your body on your vibration plate when it is running. Your body weight will prevent your vibration plate from jumping or drifting.
Vibration Noise
Vibration always generates noise. Good quality vibration plates produce less mechanical noise. Excessive mechanical noise most likely indicates a quality problem.
Pivotal oscillation plates usually generate less noise because they vibrate at lower frequency (below 15Hz). You can watch TV while using a pivotal oscillation plate.
Linear vibration plates generate significantly more noise when running above 30Hz, but usually not louder than a vacuum cleaner.
At the same noise level (dBA), human ears perceive higher frequency noise as louder and more annoying.
Floor vibration also generates noise. Use your vibration plate on a solid floor to avoid floor vibration.
EMF
Vibration plates produce electric and magnetic fields (EMF), just like other common household electric appliances.
The type of EMF generated by a vibration plate is called extremely low frequency EMF. Scientists have not found this type of EMF posing any safety concern to humans.
EPA advises that there is no clear scientific evidence that EMF affects health. EPA does not define a safe or hazardous level of EMF exposure.
Vibration plates have many design styles. Of the hundreds of models available in the market, most design styles are just redundant. Pay attention to the size of the exercise board when choosing a design. If you have a balance issue, choose one with a handrail.
Linear Vibration Plates
Pivotal Oscillation Plates
Complex Motion Vibration Plates
Common Misconceptions about Vibration Plate
Vibration plates are complicated machines.
Vibration plates are high tech products.
The parameters of vibration plate are proprietary information.
The efficacy of vibration therapy has been scientifically approved.
Vibration motion pattern, the more complex the better.
Vibration plates with 180 speed levels runs faster than vibration plates with 60 speed levels.
A 10 minute vibration exercise equals a 60 minute jog.
We have discussed types of vibration plate, parameters and usability.
Vibration frequency and amplitude are the most important factors. These two parameters are the key experimental conditions that scientists select to conduct their clinical trials.
Linear vibration plates produce vibration in a frequency range that can more effectively stimulate muscle contraction.
You know your own health conditions the best. Now you also know all these major aspects of a vibration plate. Hopefully you can connect the dots and choose the right vibration plate for your purposes.
Out of the four types of vibration plate, we don't recommend multi-motion models. There is not any scientific study conducted to test whether multi-motion has any advantage over simple pivotal oscillation or linear vibration. Complex motions created by multiple motors are not synchronized, which is actually a disadvantage.
Additionally, we strongly oppose using side-to-side oscillation, which we believe is harmful to the knee joint. Unfortunately manufacturers like to add this type of motion in order to make it "3D" or "4D" for marketing purpose.
Our general recommendation for anyone interested in exploring vibration therapy is either using a simple pivotal oscillation plate or a linear vibration plate. The shared user experiences of these two types of machines are abundant on the internet. They have been proved safe to use.
We consider linear vibration deserve a close look. Scientists usually select linear vibration plates for their research trials. Be aware on a linear vibration plate, vibration can be transmitted to your upper body and upset your stomach and brain, causing nausea and dizziness. You can bent your knee and tiptoe to avoid vibration being transmitted to your upper body. People with serious motion sickness should not use linear vibration plates.
try for free
Most sellers offer free 30 day return policy. You can certainly take the advantage of this favorable policy and give a vibration plate a try.
Just please keep the machine and the packaging in good condition in case you need to return. This is a nice way to show your appreciation to the sellers. It costs them round-trip shipping and handling for a return. Even for orders fulfilled by Amazon, all shipping costs are actually charged to the sellers.
Introducing VT Vibration Plates
Vibration Therapeutic® make both pivotal oscillation and linear vibration models. We only focus on a few models with optimized structures and refine materials, and bring in new concepts, innovations and proprietary design to make these models better.
We strongly and confidently recommend our pivotal oscillation plate model VT027 and linear vibration plate model VT007.
Pivotal Oscillation Plate VT027
VT027 is our ultimate design for a pivotal oscillation plate after many years of experience making other pivotal oscillation plates of similar parameters.
The biggest difference for VT027 when compared with other pivotal oscillation plate models in the market is its patented aluminum alloy twin-coupler design.
Other pivotal oscillation plates use regular single coupler made of nylon and sheet metal which will reach material fatigue and break much sooner.
With the same frequency, amplitude and exercise board size, VT027 is the shortest in height among all pivotal oscillation plates you can find. This is also because of its patented twin-coupler design.
Linear Vibration Plate VT007
VT007 is re-engineered from our popular model VT003F, which has been widely accepted by thousands of users for its quality and effectiveness. VT007 comes with further improved quality, performance and usability, and produces much less mechanical noise.
The major re-engineering initiatives of VT007 are 1) reduction of number of parts and 2) separation of the control box from the vibrating machine body.
The separated control box is made entirely by our specialty EMS factory for more reliable testing and quality control processes.
VT007 has an industrial style design. It is robust, durable, and reliable. Its open style makes service easier if needed.
VT007 is probably the best home-use linear vibration plate ever made.
(exaggerated animation)
side-to-side
pivotal
4D Vibration Plate
