What a great question!
To give the quick answer no.
The long answer would be an in depth explanation of the different technologies (the major types being vertical, oscillating, and elliptical) and the best use for each.
Many people ask this question and are actually misguided by much of the advertising done by most of the WBV companies.
The truth is that there are 3 main types and even though they are all considered WBV, each technology has a specific use. You will see similar results with any type of WBV, however certain equipment will get better results in key areas. That is a topic which is very detailed on its own and one that I will write about in the future.
To get back to the root of the original question, not all machines are the same. Many of the expensive machines are made to commercial standards for use in large exercise facilities like Bally’s or 24 Hour Fitness. While many of the cheaper machines are exactly that, cheap and low quality, many of which come with only a 3-6 month warranty. The mid range equipment is best for home use and will actually stand up to light commercial use.
The most important criteria to consider when purchasing a Whole Body Vibration machine is to determine what you will be using it for. Are you planning to have an incredible high volume of traffic such as a gym or workout facility, or do you just want something that is good quality and will stand up to regular use? If you need a machine for high end usage go with a more expensive model that is made for that type of use, if not, consider something in the mid price range like PowerVibe (www.powervibeusa.com). PowerVibe manufacturers extremely exception machines at very affordable prices, all under $2000.
Be sure to do some thinking and figure out what you want out of your equipment. Just like when buying a car you must consider what you need it for. If you need to haul truckloads of good then a semi is a good choice, however if you need a daily driver that is dependable and reliable then a Toyota Camry is probably your best bet. You wouldn’t buy a semi for a daily driver to commute to work and back just like you wouldn’t buy Camry if you need to haul large amounts of goods. This same principle applies when considering a WBV machine.
This should help many of you who are currently looking for a solution to exercising with limited time (as WBV only takes 10 minutes a day) or if you are a Chiropractor looking to enhance your practice.
