A lot of companies advertise that their machine’s motors are rated at 1 Horsepower, 1.5 Horsepower, 2 Horsepower, etc… What does it mean really?

1 HP is equivalent to 746 watts. So if you took a 1-horsepower horse and put it on a treadmill, it could operate a generator producing a continuous 746 watts. Similarly, in order for a Whole Body Vibration machine to have 2 HP, it should at least produce 1492 watts. In our case, we’re assuming a zero loss of power in transmission. In the real world, it would be extremely expensive to create a drive train that can transfer 100% of the the power generated from the motor to the vibration plate with zero loss in energy. Some of these energies get loss through heat, friction, and general inefficiency in the motor. Aside from these inefficiencies, another way a motor can be rated 2 HP but operates at 1000 watt is through gear reduction.

Horsepower = (Torque * RPM) / 5252

Gearing is the single most contributor to acceleration. Gearing multiplies peak torque to any amount desired. Therefore, increasing the gear ratio increases torque. If the motor is set at 1000 W, increasing the torque will ultimately increase the Horsepower, without changing the power of the motor. Gearing is a fairly complex subject, so the best option is to ask the manufacturer for the actual or real horsepower of the motor. Maximum HP and Real HP can be very different in how the motor works.

NOTE: Some companies advertise their machines are rated at 2.0 HP but the motors in the machines only operate @ 200 watts! These cheap motors are highly inefficient and are insufficient for long term use. Make sure you check the Power rating (watts) on the motors against the maximum and real horsepower from the company! Beware of companies that dodge the question about Real HP when you ask.

There are essentially two ways to drive a Whole Body Vibration machine–through a motor (AC or DC), or motorless (Sonic). Each version has their own pros and cons but primarily affect only the frequency and amplitude. A high horsepower motor is only good if it doesn’t produce high friction and the machine is built to deliver the proper lifting power.

Single motor machines tend to have a single vibration type, whereas dual motors usually have two. What you want to do is choose a machine with motors that will be powerful enough for your purpose, considering such things as your weight, or additional weights you may use or carry when on the platform or plate. You do not want a machine that will slow down when you are on the plate! This is why choosing the right machine with the proper power ratings is extremely important.

Sometimes it is extremely frustrating dealing with noise, especially in a small room. The amount of noise a machine produces come from excessive mechanical movements or vibrations in the motor or plate. Many things make a machine less noisy.

Brushless DC motors and a heavy gauge frame will help reduce noise. Furthermore, smaller motors make more noise because they have to spin faster than larger motors in order to achieve the same power output. A solid frame will adsorb some of these vibrations and hence, noise. Some motors are also padded and cradled to further reduce motor noise by absorbing vibration. The most efficient motor and solid frame will create the least amount of noise.

Don’t let the noise give you a migraine when you use the machine!