Vmax Fitness PULSER

Vibratrim VT500

Vibrapro Genesis

What are the differences between the Vmax PULSER, VibraPro Genesis, and Vibratrim VT500 aside from their looks? They pretty much all look similar, except for their handlebars and very similar specifications.   How can a buyer pick out a machine if they are so alike? Today, we will take a look at the differences between these three machines.  This project took us a while to complete as we had to save enough money to purchase these 3 machines.  Yes, we had to pay the retail price for these machines and the 3 companies: VibraTrim, VibraPro, and Vmax Fitness had absolutely no idea about the ordering and purchasing process and who it was being sold to.

The ordering process for these 3 machines are fairly straight forward.  Basically we went to their website and ordered the machine from there.  We paid $26xx.xx for the VibraPro Genesis, and $23xx.xx for the Vmax Pulser and Vibratrim VT500.   We blocked out a portion of amount so it can’t be tracked back to us.  The only thing we noted very different so far are the return policies.  VibraPro only allows 7 days for return, whereas Vmax Fitness and VibraTrim allows for 30 days return.  This is very important as you’ll most likely require 2 people to unpack and assemble the machine.  If you have to wait for someone to help you assemble the machine, a 7 day return policy just does not provide sufficient time for setup and to try out of the machine in its full glory.  We ordered the 3 machines on the same day just to see how fast they would arrive at our testing location in TX.  Overall, all the machines arrived within 2 days of each other, so nothing special worth noting.

WINNER: Tie

All 3 machines were packed the same way, with the same materials, all in 2 boxes. The big box contains the base unit, and the long box contains the column, handlebars, and all the associated accessories.  All three machines are packaged the same by using foam and packed inside 2 standard shipping boxes. The double shipping box certainly allows the machines to safely travel to you.  The main differences between these machines are the user manual and poster that are included as part of the accessories.  The Vmax and VibraPro includes an instructional DVD for workout routines, whereas the Vibratrim does not.

The PULSER provides an optional ($80 MSRP) soft custom-fitted foam pad for the vibration platform. This new foam pad is great for users with flat feet and allowing them to sit on the platform to train the core. If you decide on the PULSER, ask us about it and we could include that in the order. This pad is custom made by Vmax Fitness but can be used across all three machines.

The assembly was pretty straight forward for all the units, and the nuts and bolts are sorted and placed in bags for easy pickings.  The installation can be done under 30 minutes with 2 people working at it. The hardest part is probably lifting the column and making it stand vertically to align it with the machine base.

Winner: Tie

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When fully assembled and out of the box, all three machines pretty much look identical. The materials used to construct the vibration machine are very similar and we weren’t able to detect a difference in the steel material that is used to craft the entire frame of the machine nor the rotary dials and handlebar.  The Pulser and Genesis uses a lighter, silver colored head piece and base platform cover, whereas the Vibratrim VT500 uses the darker, black head piece and base platform cover. Another difference would obviously be the logo placements. The handlebars between the three systems are also very different. The PULSER by Vmax Fitness has a single horizontal bar connecting the side handles and is curved out a bit more to accommodate it, the Vibrapro Genesis has two horizontal bars, and the Vibratrim VT500 does not have any horizontal bars. Holding the horizontal bar feels more natural and requires a little less effort as you can rest your hands on the horizontal bar to make you feel safer. In addition, the cross bar helps to reinforce the upper column when the machine is vibrating. This helps to reduce the shaking of the machine at higher speeds and frequency. We noticed the bars stabilize the machine more then the VT500 as it holds everything together. Both the PULSER and Vibrapro Genesis does not shift as much as the VT500 at the higher speeds. Between the Vibrapro Genesis and PULSER, I don’t really see the benefit on the dual bar system. Maybe for smaller people perhaps, but I find myself holding onto the top bar of the Genesis almost exclusively with the bottom bar really not doing too much.

Winner: VibraPro

Looking at the control panel. All three machines are virtually identical (I keep repeating these words….) with the two rotary speed dials and a 7″ inch digital display that shows the speeds, time, and occasionally, LED graphics. All three of them comes with 3 pre-set programs, and allows the user to customize another 3 programs for a total of 6 exercise programs. When we turned on the three machines, they operate in the same fashion and all the dial and button placements are the same. The operation is identical and the same beeps that you hear every time you press the buttons or turn the dials are there for all three machines. The speed and power differences of the three machines do not feel any different when adjusted to the same speed setting. However, it does feel more powerful on the oscillation vibration when you compare it to the previous years models–the Vmax Trio, Vibratrim VT400, or Vibrapro iSmart. This is due to the 1mm increase in the amplitude setting and the overall larger 27″ platform surface. At the highest speeds (60 on each of the vibration modes), all 3 machines were enough to rattle my brain and feels pretty much the same across the board. I had to endure 30 seconds on each of the three machines to make sure I allow time for my body to adjust, the result was I couldn’t tell a difference between the three and I can definitely say the G-force on the 3 machines are fairly similar if not identical.

Winner: Tie

The bases of the machines all have a slip-free gel mat and armstrap notches for you to attach the hand strap attachments. Compared to previous generation machines, the hand straps use Velcro instead of the classic carabiner to fasten itself to the platform. This makes the handstraps last longer and reduces the chance of failure (in case the carabiner fails) unless the Velcro patch itself is ripped. The Velcro work a lot better then the carabiner because sometimes the carabiner slips and you have to tighten it more to prevent it from moving. With the Velcro, there is almost no way for it to slip and you don’t have to hold it very tight in order to feel the complete vibration from the base up to your upper body. The rubber gel is grippy to the touch and if you run your fingers through, you’ll notice that it is not the cheapy rubber that would just peel off after extended use. The rubber is soft enough for users using their bare feet or with socks. The positioning of the arm attachment notches are pretty much identical across the board and is located on the edge of the platform.

Winner: Tie

The trims on the machines are a bit a different but the overall curvatures of the machine are the same. The Vibrapro Genesis has carbon fiber sticker accents, with those being around the platform and the column itself. The PULSER and Vibratrim VT500 have almost the same amount of carbon fiber trims around the base unit, so I’d say it is a draw between the two units. The materials used on the 3 machines are virtually identical and they are all solidly built with the same material from the same factory.  I even did a sound check and knocked on different areas of the machine. They all produce the same sounds whether its hit on the side of the base, the column, or the area where the two pieces join together. The steel used in the three units are identical and solid to the touch.

Winner: Tie

The noise level between all three machines are virtually identical and I’d be surprised if you can pick out which one is louder. The Spiral vibration is by far the quietest because there are less moving parts in the machine. The oscillation vibration tends to get a bit louder due to move moving mechanical parts but it is also not too overly obnoxious. It is not irritating to say the least. The “loudest” mode is when you turn both vibrations at the same time. Relative to the individual vibrations, it is actually not bad at all. It’s not going to pop an eardrum or two like a carpet vacuum. For users that are afraid the machine will shake the whole house, the three machines are all really heavy with slight variations (between 10-15 lbs) and all weigh over 150 lbs. The machine grounds itself pretty well and should not shake. However, putting a piece of hard plywood or mat can help dampens the vibrations in the room below or if you intend to place it on carpet.

Winner: Tie

One final point to note is the 1 GB feature of the Vibrapro Genesis. It definitely sounds awesome, but lets investigate this further. The manufacturer states they have 1 GB of internal memory space, but what the heck is this allocated for? Music? Exercise programs? Aside from the 3 programmable exercise programs that you can create, there is absolutely NO use for this internal memory. What’s even more mind boggling is the fact that you CANNOT access this memory. Nope, there are no USB ports nor any type of connection allows you access to this memory for use. What upsets us is the silly marketing tactic that shows there is a feature, but sorry, you can’t use it. As far as we know, this 1 GB of storage probably doesn’t even exist or heck, maybe it does, and I’m certain that the Pulser or the Vibratrim VT500 has it too since the 3 programmable exercise programs are also present. The 1 GB of internal space is interesting to know about, but not very practical, and obviously a moot point. Be informed about this, and don’t get duped into thinking the 1 GB actually does anything. A little deceptive on Vibrapro’s part in marketing the Genesis.

Warranty is probably one of the more important considerations when it comes to purchasing a vibration machine, after all, no one wants to spend over $2000 for a giant paperweight. All three machines come with a standard 2 years warranty that warrants the machine from top to bottom, inside and out and a further 5 year warranty on the motors and the frame of the unit that runs simultaneously with the 2 years warranty. The similarity pretty much ends there.

The Vmax Fitness PULSER and VT500 by Vibratrim comes with a significantly better warranty, period. When there is an issue, a phone call to technical support will help you with diagnosing the problem with your machine. If there is a failure of sorts that’s irreparable, the companies will issue a return authorization and pay to ship you another machine and issue a prepaid return shipping label for you to send the old machine back. You will usually be back up and running within 2-3 weeks depending on the extent of the issue. You can generally reuse the packing materials from the new machine that they mail you to ship the old one back. They really do stand behind the quality of their products.

The Vibrapro Genesis pretty much does a 360 and is almost completely opposite. Any time you have an issue or if you require servicing, the company does require you to return the machine (as your expense) and will ship you the repaired machine at their cost. The shipping of the machine can easily cost upwards of $300 for the shipment and if you do not pack it properly in its original boxes and materials, they can outright deny your warranty. Most users do not keep the gigantic boxes that these machines come with, so if you decide on the Genesis, make sure to keep your boxes for at least 5 years or until your warranty expires. The time it takes varies and generally speaking, it will take from 3-6 weeks to get your machine up and running as you will have to wait for your machine to arrive at their facility, the repair time, and the time it takes for the machine to make its way back to you.

Winner: PULSER and VT500

Ready to purchase? Call us for advice and our current discounted prices: 1-800-775-1592

This review wouldn’t be a complete machine comparison without comparing the components that each brand uses to built their machines.  Beware that dissembling your machine without manufacturer’s approval will void the product warranty.  With the case cover removed, we compared the various components used to built the machines.  The drive belt, pulley system, motors, pivoting racks, and rubber cushions for the Spiral systems were all compared.  We notice that there are notable differences in the parts used to built these machines, and some brands uses stronger components than others.  We were very surprised on some of the lower grade materials used in the machines which doesn’t affect the machines’ performance for now, since they are all brand new units. However, we suspect that the durability and longevity of the parts will eventually show after a few months of usage.

The newer successors to the Vmax Trio, Vibratrim VT500, and Vibrapro iSmart definitely do improve in the feature set and functionality.  The machines all look very similar on the outside, but the features that they have and the components inside are different enough to affect the long term usability of the machine.  It is impossible for a typical consumer to distinguish the build quality of these machines from testing them at a retail store or clinic.  We are glad that we spent the time and money (albeit over $7000 USD) to review these 3 machines.  We methodically compared them to figure out which machine meets our definition of a quality machine, so that you can get the biggest bang for your buck. We liked the Pulser the best as it has more features than the other machines and comes with a lot more extras, with excellent warranty and service backed by Vmax Fitness. The Vibratrim VT500 is another honorable mention. It is a solid competitor with a good set of features and more simplistic design. The warranty and service is comparable to the Pulser and will give users a piece of mind after their purchase. For the Vibrapro Genesis, aside from the double horizontal pole, or the nicer carbon fiber accents, the higher price tag certainly makes the machine not as palatable as the Pulser or the VT500. Add in the sub-standard warranty and you have a machine that’s not entirely competitive to others in its category. All three machines are fairly well built, but if something does go wrong, you would want to consider the after purchase warranty that the individual machines come with.

We included the specs table for the machines we tested, feel free to contact us if you need help deciding which machine is right for you and our current discounted prices at 1.800.775.1592.

Below is the table of the three machines with their technical specifications.

	PULSER [button color="lightgray" size="small" link="/product/vmax-fitness-pulser-review/" target=""]PULSER Review[/button] [button color="green" size="small" link="/product/vmax-fitness-pulser-review/?add-to-cart=7878" target=""]Purchase PULSER[/button]	Vibratrim VT500 Call us to order 1.800.775.1592	Vibrapro Genesis
Our Price	$2898 Add to Cart or Call for lowest price 1.800.775.1592	$2599 Call for lowest price 1.800.775.1592	$3495
Sales Tax	No sales tax for USA	No sales tax for USA	No sales tax for USA
Shipping	Shipping included anywhere in Canada and USA	Shipping included anywhere in Canada and USA	Shipping included anywhere in Canada and USA
Vibration Type	1100 Watt Oscillation 500 Watt Spiral	1000 Watt Oscillation 300 Watt Spiral	1100 Watt Oscillation 500 Watt Triplanar
Approved Uses	Home Light Commercial	Home Light Commercial	Home Light Commercial
Maximum Weight Load	440 lbs	400 lbs	400 lbs
Frequency Settings (Hz means vibrations per second)	Oscillation : 5 - 22 Hz Spiral: 20-50 Hz Dual: 5-60 Hz	Oscillation : 5 - 22 Hz Spiral: 15-45 Hz Dual: 25-50 Hz	Oscillation : 6 - 22 Hz Spiral: 20 - 50 Hz Dual: 6-60 Hz
Amplitude	Oscillation : 0-11 mm Spiral: 1.5-2.5 mm Dual: 1-11 mm	Oscillation : 0-11 mm Spiral: 1-2.5 mm Dual: 1-11 mm	Oscillation : 0-11 mm Spiral: 1 -2.5 mm Dual: 1-11 mm
Settings	60 speeds per vibration 9 preset exercise programs 9 user-definable programs	60 speeds per vibration 3 preset exercise programs 3 user-definable programs	60 speeds per vibration 3 preset exercise programs 3 user-definable programs
Time Settings	10-20 minutes	10-20 minutes	10-20 minutes
Remote Control	No	No	No
Assembly	20 screws	20 screws	20 screws
G-force	Upto 13.4 Gs	upto 17.24 Gs	Upto 13.4 Gs
Warranty	2 Years Parts + Labor 5 Years Motor and Frame	2 Years Parts + Labor 5 Years Motor and Frame	2 Years Parts 5 Years Motor Customer pays for all shipping
Satisfaction Guarantee	30 Days. No restocking fee	30 Days. No restocking fee	7 days, customer pays for all shipping costs
Extra Features	Rotary Speed Dials High Efficiency Dual Drive Edge-to-edge Platform Horizontal Handlebar	Rotary Speed Dials Edge-to-edge Platform	Rotary Speed Dials Edge-to-edge Platform Dual Horizontal Handlebars
Accessories Included	Upper Body Straps Exercise Poster Instructional DVD Optional: Anti-Vibration Foam Pad	Upper Body Straps Exercise Poster Instructional DVD	Upper Body Straps Exercise Poster Instructional DVD
Dimensions	27” x 33” x 58” (width x depth x height)	27" x 33" x 58" (width x depth x height)	27" x 33" x 58" (width x depth x height)
Platform Size	27" x 20" Edge-to-edge	27" x 20" Edge-to-edge	27" x 20" Edge-to-edge
Horsepower	2.2 HP	3.0 HP	3.0 HP
Construction	Frame: Steel Base: Steel Skirt: Steel	Frame: Steel Base: Steel Skirt: Steel	Frame: Steel Base: Steel Skirt: Steel
Machine Weight	161 lbs	148 lbs	158 lbs
Review	Read PULSER Review	-	-

Ready to purchase? Call us for advice and our current discounted prices: 1-800-775-1592