Power Plate my5 Model: Instructions for Use

Introduction

The Power Plate® my5 model is a consumer and commercial product designed for fitness and exercise. It allows users to adjust training to their own level, reducing the burden on joints, tendons, and ligaments. Proper use, adjusted to personal abilities, maximizes benefits and minimizes injury risk. It is recommended to consult a physician before starting any new exercise program. Users should review product instructions before operation. If experiencing faintness, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, or pain, stop exercising immediately and consult a physician. Body posture, muscle stiffness, and tension are important. Tensed muscles absorb vibrations, aiding strengthening and toning. Passive or active exercises like stretching and massage can be performed more frequently. Start with low intensity (low frequency and amplitude for short sessions) to gently stimulate the body without overload. Intensity and duration can be increased over time as the body adapts.

Important Safety Instructions

Read the entire user manual, including all warnings and safety instructions, before using the Power Plate® machine. Convey these to any other user. Retain the manual for future reference.

Health Warnings

Warning: Consult a physician for a physical examination and clearance before beginning any exercise program to avoid personal injury. If you have any known medical condition or physical limitation, seek medical advice before use. If you experience dizziness, faintness, shortness of breath, or pain during use, stop immediately and consult a physician to prevent injury.

The Power Plate® machine is a medical device for therapeutic purposes within specific indications and as part of an exercise program.

Set-up and Handling

Danger: To reduce electrical shock risk, always unplug the machine before cleaning or servicing.

Warning: To reduce the risk of electrical shock, fire, burns, or injury, plug into a properly-grounded electrical outlet.

Warning: Ensure safe use by regularly examining the machine for damage and wear. The machine contains no user-serviceable parts. Maintenance or service should only be performed by an authorized Power Plate® service professional.

Set up the machine on a hard, level surface, free of obstructions within three feet of the platform. Do not use outdoors, near pools, or sources of water or extreme humidity, as contact with water can cause short-circuits and injury. Unplug when not in use.

Never attempt to lift or move the machine without assistance. Never operate a machine that has been dropped, tipped over, damaged, or partially immersed in water unless inspected and cleared by an authorized service professional.

Never insert objects into any opening. If an object falls into the machine, shut it off and remove the power plug before retrieval. If the object cannot be reached, contact an authorized service professional.

Use Of The Power Plate Machine

General Health Warnings for Use

• Follow console directions for proper operation.
• Close supervision is required for children or disabled persons.
• Use care when getting on and off. Use handles for stability.
• Never reach into or under the machine, or tip it on its side while in operation.
• Use the machine only for purposes described in this manual and with approved attachments/accessories to avoid injury.

Specific Health Warnings for Use

Proper Clothing and Padding

• When standing on the platform, wear rubber-soled shoes. If exercising in socks or bare feet, use one of the provided contoured mats.
• For exercises with body parts in contact with the platform, use at least one contoured mat.

Proper Position and Balance

• To avoid injury from vibrations, do not lean back on heels or lock joints (knees, elbows). Keep knees slightly bent.
• Maintain balance at all times. Do not hang on handles; use them only for balance. Keep knees directly above toes unless exercise directions state otherwise.
• Balance weight predominantly on the front of your feet, not heels.

Proper Hydration

Drink at least 300 ml (16 ounces) of water before, during, and after each exercise session.

Proper Limitations on Exercise

Warning: Pay careful attention to your body's reaction to exercise. Do not over-exert or work to exhaustion, as this could result in personal injury. If you experience dizziness, faintness, shortness of breath, or pain, stop immediately and consult a physician.

Health and Safety Warnings

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Precautions

The my5™ model is suitable for domestic and commercial use connected to public low-voltage power supply. It emits electromagnetic energy that may affect nearby electronic equipment or be affected by emissions from other equipment. Maintain a minimum distance of 1.0 meter from portable and mobile RF communications equipment.

Use the machine in the specified electromagnetic environment: wood, concrete, or ceramic tile floors are recommended. If synthetic flooring is used, relative humidity should be at least 30%. Mains power quality should be typical for domestic/commercial environments. Do not use during power mains interruptions. Power frequency magnetic fields should be characteristic of typical environments.

Retain this user manual for future reference.

Environmental Requirements

Operating Conditions

Temperature: 10°C to 40°C

Humidity: 10% to 95% RH

Pressure altitude: Normal atmospheric conditions/860-1060hPa

Storage and Shipping Conditions

Temperature: 10°C to 40°C

Humidity: 10% to 95% RH

Pressure altitude: Normal atmospheric conditions/860-1060hPa

Warning

The device is not suitable for use with flammable anesthetic mixtures. It requires no calibration and contains no user-serviceable parts. Users must check for safe and proper working condition before use. The manufacturer does not require preventive inspections by other persons. The plug disconnects the machine from the main supply; ensure it is easily accessible. Connect only to a supply main with protective earth grounding.

Users

The machine is intended for medically cleared adults (16+ years old) able to undertake physical exercises like weight-bearing and ground reaction force programs. Other users should be cleared by a physician and use under medical supervision.

Performance

The machine is intended for use in domestic settings, hotels, spas, resorts, commercial studios, fitness centers, schools, and universities.

Operation

my5 Control Panel

Familiarize yourself with the basic operation and buttons on the face plate.

Consult a physician before any exercise program. If you have medical conditions or limitations, seek medical advice. If you feel dizzy, faint, short of breath, or experience pain, stop immediately and consult a physician.

Varying the Intensity

A step-by-step increase in intensity is crucial for efficient and responsible training. The Power Plate® my5™™™ model offers several variables to adjust intensity:

• Length of time for each exercise
• Rest time between exercises
• Number of exercises
• Frequency (vibrations per second, in Hertz)
• Amplitude (vertical distance the plate moves per vibration)
• Sessions per week (2-3 is optimal)
• Muscle tension (by changing joint angle or performing on one leg)
• Complexity of movement (static, dynamic, or plyometric)
• Additional weight or extra load (e.g., weight vest, dumbbells)

The optimal use of these variables depends on individual goals, injuries, limitations, and other influencing factors.

Progression Steps

Exercise Time, Number of Exercises, and Rest Time

Settings depend on training goals. For new users, start with few exercises and equal rest time. Gradually add more exercises. For weight loss, cardiovascular, or endurance goals, reduce rest time, extend exercise time, and increase the number of exercises.

For recovery, flexibility, and preparation, perform specific exercises with low total volume and adequate rest.

For strength, power, and speed, increase intensity (Hertz) but keep total volume low.

Example: For endurance/weight loss, extend training to 60-second sets with 30-second rest. For maximum strength/power, use short duration, high amplitude sets with 1-4 minutes rest.

Frequency

Recommended frequency settings:

• Stretch: 30-35 Hertz
• Strength: Not exceeding 40 Hertz
• Massage: Up to 40 Hertz
• Relaxation: Not exceeding 35 Hertz

Increasing frequency may require decreasing exercise volume (duration, sets) and increasing rest periods proportionally.

Amplitude

Recommended amplitude settings:

• Stretch: LOW
• Strength: LOW, progressing to HIGH
• Massage: HIGH
• Relaxation: LOW

Increasing amplitude may require temporarily decreasing frequency and volume, and increasing rest periods.

Personal Adaptation

Start with light, short sessions and gradually intensify as you adapt to vibrations. Always listen to your body. Vary exercises with more movements corresponding to your goals to enhance performance. Consider increasing joint angle for greater muscle contraction or using static, dynamic, or plyometric movements.

Ensure adequate rest between sessions for recovery. Two days of rest are normally recommended, though one day may suffice for some. Adjust schedules based on your comfort level.

Mat

The mat dampens vibrations. Use it when any body part contacts the plate surface, or when exercising in socks or bare feet.

Sessions per week

Generally, 2-3 sessions per week are recommended. Stretches, massages, relaxation, and preparation programs can be performed more often.

Extra Load

Extra load (weights) should only be used by well-trained individuals or those coached by a professional. When adding external load, decrease amplitude and volume, and increase rest periods proportionally, as if starting the progression again.

Specialized programs and progression steps should be developed by certified Power Plate trainers.

Power Plate offers educational materials (DVDs, online learning, academies). Visit www.powerplate.com for more information.

Technical Specifications

Maintenance

Warning: The machine contains no user-serviceable parts. Contact an authorized Power Plate® service professional for any maintenance or troubleshooting not described herein to avoid personal injury or damage.

Caution: Changes, modifications, or unauthorized maintenance may void the product warranty.

• Always unplug the machine and wait at least one minute before performing maintenance.
• Clean with a moist cloth only. Do not use sharp objects, bristles, scrubs, or acid-based detergents, as they will damage the finish.
• Do not spray cleaning solution directly onto the machine; moisten a cloth and apply.
• Use polishes specifically designed for plastic on plastic components.
• Use a soft brush, not a cloth, to clean the platform, including the mat.
• Clean electrical components with a dry cloth only to avoid shock or damage.

Troubleshooting

Always unplug the machine and wait at least one minute before troubleshooting.

• Console not illuminated: Check power connections. If connections are proper, check the circuit breaker or fuse for the outlet.
• Console illuminated, platform not vibrating: Unplug, wait one minute, then check the connection to the machine's motor under the base.
• Rattling noise: Unplug, wait one minute, then check that the feet are properly tightened.

Danger: Power Plate strongly recommends users do not attempt to resolve electrical issues themselves. Contact a licensed, professional electrician for examination and repairs to avoid serious personal injury or property damage.

Applied Parts: Applied parts are not intended to deliver heat. Maximum temperature for applied parts may reach 43°C (109.4°F).

Applied Parts:

• Platform
• Handlebars

Power On / Off:

• To Power On: Press the rocker switch on the lower back of the column to the "I" position.
• To Power Off: Press the rocker switch on the lower back of the column to the "0" position.

Accessories

my5 Accessories:

• Straps Set (2pcs)
• Exercise Mat
• Power Cord
• Step Deck (option)
• Foam Deck (option)
• Power shield (option)

Contact and Support

For questions, visit www.powerplate.com and select your country for local contact details.

Warranty / Product Registration

Register your Power Plate® machine online at www.powerplate.com. Manuals and paperwork can be obtained via the "Contact Us" page online or by writing to:

Performance Health Systems UK Ltd.
Business Design Centre, Unit 115
52 Upper Street
Islington
London, N1 0QH
+44 20 7317 5000
serviceUK@powerplate.com

Performance Health Systems LLC
401 Huehl Road, Ste. 2A
Northbrook, IL 60062, USA
T | +1 949 863 1737
F | +1 949 863 1216
info@powerplate.com
877 87 PLATE

www.powerplate.com

© Copyright 2021 Performance Health Systems. All Rights Reserved. Rev. 5 – 17Feb2021