SoloFlex Whole Body Vibration
Frank asks:
I was intrigued by the soloflex WBV ads and especially the price ($395) and seeking reviews stumbled upon this site. I’ve never tried WBV before.
It appears, however, that there is no “free lunch” and the soloflex is indeed too good to be true. Am I correct in this assessment?
In addition has any one read this?
It raises serious questions about the safety of Whole Body Vibration.
That paper was written purely as a marketing tool for the Juvent DMT. No concern has ever been raised by the author before now, even though he has been involved in the industry since its early days. You will find the author has a vested interest in Juvent.
I wrote a paper on this subject back in 2004 and it was rubbished by everybody, and now they are concerned ?
The fact is, yes certain Fq should be kept away from during long term exposure. But the G-forces exerted during normal running is well above the “extremes” talked about in that paper.
Here is a point to note, there are plenty of machines producing very low vibratory levels (about 30 worldwide). So why did the author only mention the Juvent ? If it was a real research paper, this would not be allowed.
Very unethical and in no way should be viewed as anything other than marketing.
22 Comments
- Lloyd Shaw
September 7th, 2006Yes as a Vibration Therapy pad it would be ideal ( incontinance, osteo, pelvic-stability etc…. But not for Training.
- Frank
September 7th, 2006I guess then there’s nothing for home use training that I could afford now-maybe someday?
But you got me thinking. You said the soloflex would be OK for therapy for say osteoporosis,arthritis, sciatica, etc. I have an aunt with those problems plus a balance problem- would the vibra-fit, which has handles for support also work as well for therapy purposes? And is it safe?
Thanks for all your help,
Frank - Lloyd Shaw
September 7th, 2006Yes any of the lighter models, especially the ones with support, are safe for therapy.
- Nora P. Frontaura
August 9th, 2007Lloyd,
I have the Soloflex for theraputic use, what would be the best frequency for osteopenia related issues. I am a very fit 50 year old. I have also started a weight training regemine with a personal trainer at my gym. Thank you! There is no better Fq for certain conditions. But a Pivotal unit will work best and the safest at 12-15Hz. Very strict poses for a minimum of 60secs.
Respond to Sal’s comment at #8:
“….. absolutely no evidence that WBV can do anything ……….”
Some people obviously like to believe only what they think that things should be and deny any evidence against their believe.
Here are a few evidences on effect of WBV:
Evidence One:
Subject : Old lady at 70s / 5′ tall / 150+ lbs., with severe osteo-arthritis in right kneeHer orthopaedic considered this lady not suitable for surgical treatment due to high risk of stroke as she was having coronary heart disease and hypertension as well. Her knee pain was unbearable and her doctor’s medication did not help much.
We fitted her with an unloading knee orthosis which immediately relieved a great degree of knee pain. However, the orthosis kept slipping down. It is a typical condition that OA Knee patients are over weight because knee problem kept them from regular exercises; they have bulk but soft thigh and small calf. When we first fitted the orthosis on this lady, we could easily put a hand in between the cuff of orthosis and her calf.
After receiving 3 weeks of WBV training with simple poses – Basic Stance / Calves Raise / Basic Static Sit-Up, totally about 10-min. Each session and 3 sessions / week, I checked her and found the space at the calf cuff of orthosis was gone which means the subject has gained muscle mass.
In about 3 months, she reported happily that she has lost some pounds of weight. She said she had a winter coat that she could not buckle up at belly for years; now she could.
The subject has not changed her life style or diet and she never does any form of physical exercises. We can therefore give credit to WBV for the happening of gaining muscle mass at calf and weight loss on this subject.
Besides, the lady has also improved acuity and stability in gait.
Evidence Two:
Subject : Mid-aged lady with neuro-muscular dysfunction in right leg.The subject received a surgery at her right hip to remove a tumor. After the operation, she found losing strength on right leg. It is believed that she got nerve damage accidentally from the surgery.
When we first interviewed her, she had already received standard rehabilitation programs from different physiotherapy facilities for a year, including resistance exercises and electrical muscle stimulation. Progress had been very small. She walked very slowly with help of a pair of elbow crutches. She was scared to go out without her husband as she felt she might fall. Muscle atrophy was significant in right quadriceps.After the first trail session of WBV, she said she felt muscle activities in right leg that she did not experience in previous rehabilitation programs and she was tired even the trial session was just about 10 min. She decided to stop other rehabilitation programs and started her WBV training. After about one and a half month, she got significant improvement of muscle mass and strength in her right quadriceps. She was able to walk with only one crutch and became confident to go out herself. Now after 4 months of WBV training, she resumed her duty as school teacher.
Evidence Three:
Subject : Male at age of 30+The subject injured his left knee in a soccer game and received ACL reconstruction surgery two years ago. Since the subject is very sporty involving in soccer, golfing, diving …., he has been very eager to regain strength on her left knee to enjoy his sport life. He followed the rehabilitation program after the surgery and received another few from different sports physiotherapy centres, he also went to gym regularly. However, progress did not meet his expectation.
When he first came in, we could notice by sight that his left quadriceps is smaller than the right side. He said he regained about 40% of strength after all previous training programs.
After about a month of WBV, he gained muscle mass on the left quadriceps and the sizes of two legs are almost the same by sight. He was so happy with the result and completed a 3-month WBV program. His regain of strength and power was even noticed by his soccer friends who were not aware that he was receiving WBV training.
With these first hand experience and evidence in our practice, I do not need so-called research or study to tell me what WBV can or cannot do!
TC
Ooops!!
Sorry friends, I posted my comment to the wrong place by mistake.
However, hope you all sitll enjoy reading those evidence.
TC
- Nora P. Frontaura
August 10th, 2007Lloyd,
Thanks for the info, now just one more thing…with the Soloflex the settings range from .3g to 1.1g. This may sound silly (I was never good with physic’s) but where does 12-13 hz fit in the settings above? And I am very thankful for your site, here in Kansas (USA) we haven’t hear of this before and I am reading all of your information avidly! Thanks again! Sorry I didnt read SoloFlex properly. Any of the settings that feel smooth will be ok for the light stimulation you need to help with the osteo problem .
You do understand this is a Therapy model at best ?
- Nora P. Frontaura
August 10th, 2007Thank you for being honest Lloyd, and I do see that this is just a Therapy model. Right now that is what I am looking for. The time will come when I will want something more, however. My husband does triathlons and is also be interested in one that would help with his training. The problem is that I was unaware that this was even an option! My Internist recommended this as I am very anti- prescription drugs for the osteo just a few weeks ago and that started me on the road to researching. I am very interested in this area of training and I have quite a bit to learn. As I stated I will be reading everything I can on your site. I decided on getting the Soloflex for the simple reason that my main goal for now was getting my bone mineral density up and I didn’t want to spend $5ooo. on a machine that I really knew nothing about.
I have another query…Should I use the machine every day for about 10 min. since it is for theraputic reasons instead of training? I know that you suggest taking a day of rest for training, however since I train with weights at my gym and only use the Soloflex for the osteo, what do you suggest?
Once again thank you for being the voice of reason in all of this. I will be very careful to ensure that when WBV reaches Kansas City, Kansas I will be under care of a certified and knowledgable trainer! I personally would still be cautious and use it day on day off. Remember you are going to do this for the rest of your life.
- Nora P. Frontaura
August 11th, 2007Right, thank you!
- Ellie Broadhurst
August 12th, 2007Hello Lloyd,
A friend and I are looking at purchasing a unit called Body Soul 2 (aprox Aust$1600)or Body Soul 3 (Aust$2500) through a company called Better Backs Australia. Have you heard anything about this product. I am so confused with all the stuff I have been trying to read etc. I have a lower back problem - (slipped a disk over 20 years ago) and have had troubles with pain throughout the years. Also get shoulder and neck pains due to some repetitive work I did a few years back. I would also like to lose some weight in the process as I have stopped smoking and am putting on too much weight. I have an office job in which I sit most of the day etc. Many Thanks. Ellie Better Backs Australia is usually involved in the sales of massage chairs which is a completely different science to Vibration Therapy.
I could not find a listing for their “Body Soul” units but would be interested to see what they are offering.
- Ellie Broadhurst
August 12th, 2007Thanks for your quick reply. I shall try and get some more info on them. Cheers Ellie
I have sent an e-mail to them , I hope I get a direct response.
LLoyd,
I have the Manufactureres catalog of the body soul. Its a pivotal machine made in china. We are looking It runs on a .75 hp motor with an amplitude of 6.5 MM and frequency of 8-30hz. Most of the models sold by this company utiilize the same platform and motor except for a better model with a 1.5 hp motor and a larger pivotal platform. I have all the specs if you need them.Yes please do.
The salesperson at BetterBacksAustralia told me in an e-mail on 16th Aug. they would supply….
Pila-Vibe, Galileo, Turbo Sonic, Silver-Mink & Proellixe Vibration.
“Alternatively we specialise in customisations so we could redesign any of the machines too suit your needs.”
Which would make you think they are specialist.
But it appears on their website they are just buying them off the rack ,and selling the very cheap machines from China we warn people against.
- Arnold
April 13th, 2008Hello Lloyd. I’ve been looking at the SoloFlex WBV because of it’s affordable price. Could you elaborate on what you mean by a Therapy machine? I have a herniated disc in my lower back and muscle tension problems. I’ve been relatively inactive as a result, and am looking to improve my flexibility and to strengthen the muscles in my lower back. Would the Soloflex be appropriate for my situation? I’ve also looked at the VibraFlex Home Edition. Thank you for providing feedback on different companies machines.
By Therapy we mean the machine only has the ability to stimulate tissue , so increased circulation , flexability and in your case the removal of excess fluid around your disk would all be done on that unit.
Slight movements may be good for other rehab purposes.
If you are looking for any ongoing strength gains you will need to invest in something of better quality.
September 7th, 2006
Thanks for your response regarding the “safety” issue, Lloyd.
I still have a problem regarding the price issue, however. I am not willing to spend $1000+ USD but I also do not want to waste any amount of money on worthless junk. So I must this ask again. With the understanding that the soloflex WBV is far from ideal,yet considering its low price does it have any value as a WBV at all?