Powerplate my5

Power Plate my5 Full Review

Power Plate is probably the largest company selling whole body vibration machines and vibration plates in the world, with dealer locations across multiple countries in hundreds of cities.  A WBV review site would never be complete until it contains the popular home use WBV machine from Power Plate.  We previously tried the Power Plate MY3, MY5, and the Pro5 at a local Fitness Town, but since that was awhile back, we decided to pay another visit to the store to refresh our memories and feelings to the vibration machines.  This review focuses on the PowerPlate MY5, please see our other reviews for the other machines.

After trying out the less than stellar Power Plate MY3 machine for a few minutes, we moved quickly onto the MY5 vibration platform. Spanning 23” high and 27” wide, this machine is bigger, bolder, and stronger than the MY3. The price for MY5 is also bigger and bolder with the retail price at around $4700.

The vibration machine’s operating frequency is between 30HZ to 40Hz, which allows you just a little room to control how fast the vibrating platform shakes.  You can adjust the speed at 1Hz increments if you like, but the machine is also equipped with 3 quick buttons to allow you to jump to 30Hz, 35HZ, or 40HZ.  One thing to note is that there is a keychain sized remote control included with the machine. Make sure you don’t lose this as a replacement will cost you a pretty penny. There are 4 buttons on the remote, allowing you to make quick adjustments on the vibration speed.  This could be useful if you have a trainer on the side and the trainer can make some basic adjustments during your workout. If you are using the machine by yourself, there is really not much of a point to have a remote control, since all the controls are easily accessible at the top control panel, or the lower control panel. It is likely that you will end up misplacing the remote more than anything.

The timing function for this vibration machine is the same as the Power Plate MY3, it only allows for a 30 seconds cycle or a 60 seconds cycle.  The same REPEAT button is also on this machine.  Remember, a typical 10 minute workout would require you to start the machine 10 times. The REPEAT button on the machine, enables you to only need to press one button to restart the machine with all the previously used settings. Otherwise, you would have to press 3 buttons (ON/OFF button + TIME button + AMPLITUDE button) every minute to restart the machine.

On the physical side of things, the platform has a decent size, and you should have no problems with the platform being too small, as 27” allows most users to conduct more exercises comfortably.  The machine weighs approximately 90kg/200lbs.  We tried to test the machine for stability, and the machine is very stable and solidly grounded to the floor.  You would need to deliberately lean to the side in order to tilt the machine, and by doing so, risk breaking the vertical support column.

Once we powered on the vibration machine and started using it, we can definitely feel that the vibration produced by the MY5 is more powerful than the MY3.  You do not want to stand up straight on this machine, as the vibration would quickly and intensely travel up through your legs, up the thighs, over the hips, up the spine, and into your head.  Your head will not like the shaking as it is very discomforting and gives a nausea sensation.  It would be analogous to you gripping those hand held massager’s head for a minute, which numbs your hand. Now imagine that numbness being applied to your head at a higher intensity.

Overall, we like the Power Plate MY5 vibration machine but it does come at a pretty high price preimum.  If you are looking for something that is solidly built from a well-known brand name, but don’t mind the lack of vibration preset features offered by other similar vibration machines, then the MY5 is for you.