Vibration Training Experience
Jo writes:
Hi, I’m a total blank page here - just offering up my quaffers…..I just started using a vibration training system here in NZ, (I’m not going to name which as that places me in the firing line) and can honestly say that I haven’t felt aches where I’ve felt them in all the years since I stopped dancing professionally and body sculpting.
I have owned every type of home fitness centre imaginable (years of slaving to keep the “perfect” body to blame for that!!)and have spent countless hours at the local gym. My comment would be this - unless you know exactly what you are doing, be wary of using home equipment as you spend $$ buying the thing, hours figuring out how to use it then take pot luck as to whether you are doing it right = effective or wrong = waste of time + risk of injury. There is also nothing like having to get motivated to use a machine thats in the corner of the bedroom collecting spare undies and t-shirts!!!!!
It is like anything - Vibration training is no miracle cure. You won’t lose 30kg overnight, you won’t build big muscle and you won’t wake up one morning looking like Elle Macpherson!! It takes the 3x 10/15 minutes a week, a good balanced diet and of course a couple of cardio sessions a week to achieve the ultimate results from the system (whichever machine its on!!)
This is where I feel ALL fitness equipment marketers and spokespersons fail. The promotion of the ultimate belief that one machine will do it all, and thats just not true. You don’t just stand there and it burn all your imperfections away, you do have to work pretty hard in each session to get anything out of it.
I suppose if you were furnishing a studio with these machines - then yes, you would need to know all about them, which one is best value for $$ and also which can pay itself off in the shortest term. But for the average user / studio goer un-biased advice on value for money at studios and quality of the trainers should be the focal point - not which machine is made in Europe or is plastic. They are all expensive, all have different specs and all be-rate the next machine in line.
Written by Lloyd Shaw on October 8th, 2006
8 Comments
- Lloyd Shaw
October 8th, 2006Your point would be valid Jo , if not for the fact you do have companies out there telling the public their machine does do it all , and they are all equal.
My main problem is the public is not being informed that Vibration Training is evolutionary. That one machine will only get a response for a limited time. And quality does count.
Your comment on price is a classic example , one popular plastic unit is bought off the Chinese for 800Euro , but sold over here for 16k.
A real commercial unit cost 12K + , just to build.Everbody involved in the industry knows this.
The only reason this information is not given is greed , and has nothing to do with them caring for your results.
- Jo
October 9th, 2006I agree that quality is important too, especially if the machine will be used for 12 hours every day, 7 days a week, obviously then you would want a real trooper for your $$. But I guess the franchisees / studio owners need to find a way to claw back the $$ they have expended just to get a machine! Which explains why, engaging in a vibration training system is way off the scale when it comes to cost per session for the end user.
A particular machine (naming no names) is currently on sale on a nz auction site for $12k, there are others for $1. The old adage “you only get what you pay for” screams loud and clear in that situation. But when you are talking the difference between $12k, $9k and $6k obviously other factors are in motion.
The big fish are only really concerned with the top feeders, the Franchisees, the sports facilities, the sports teams etc - not little Joe Bloggs who goes every other day to the studio and pays their premium rate to get the training, get it right and walk away feeling like they may have just achieved something.
I am not doubting anybodys comments on here, trying to disprove them, retaliating or any of those further incriminations. I have a genuine interest in spreading a positive message about a process that may actually be of benefit - in a realm where most machines are in fact no more effective than wrapping yourself in clingfilm and lying in front of a heater for 20 minutes, and where good, sound, honest advice is as rare as hens teeth.
The unfortunate few of us who are a little plump, odd shaped, depressed, self concious, under pressure to look good for work (know about that one!!)have eating disorders or are simply hooked on the ‘buzz’ are the easiest to target as we generally suffer low self control, low self respect and most of all have no willpower to actually maintain and stick to something. We are procrastinators, addicts or just extremely hopeful that one day - we will find that one miracle cure to make it all go away.
I have yet to encounter any promoter or marketing scheme that addresses those issues and then reacts with an appropriate marketing campaign that contains facts, figures and no b***.
Kat:
On a lighter note, I will add that yes I have used the straps, and I think providing you do have them at the right length, have yourself in the correct position and keep a nice, even steady tension - then yes, they do. As noted previsouly - I have trained for many years, and being perfectly honest I believe if the system is used alongside regular cardio (fast walking the pooch!) and a good, balanced diet you would definitely see improvement in tone, strength and maybe not tonnes of kgs - but your pants will certainly start to fall down!! (personal experience talking!!!) - Kris
December 15th, 2006In this discussion we’re not hearing from many who have experience with home models - it’s mostly from the experienced professional or commercial users/trainers. I’d like to know just what a good home version can do for an individual who is not out to build muscle - the older, out of shape, arthritic person. Just what are the dangers of merely following the directions/video that come with a machine like Wave or hypergravity at home when there ARE no local studios for getting acquainted with this new technology?
- Nick Morris
December 18th, 2006Hi Kris. Be very accurate with your aims of using the technology. It has incredible applications - just be very specific to your exact needs.
Do you have any underlying health directives?
Each manufacturer should very carefully aid you through a complete initial program to get you started, and ensure you begin enjoying fantastic benefits safely and comfortably - Kris
December 19th, 2006How does vibration exercise compare with aerobics?
Are these machines safe for, say, a heart patient who has had angioplasty to open an artery or two with stents, has no other complications but is on beta blockers which can slow down metabolism, cholesterol meds, etc.? Thanks anyone.
You still would want clearance from your Doctor , to make sure there was no problem with the stents and the operation was successfully completed.
Then the unit you would use , would not go above 3mm amplitude, set it at 40hz. Positioning will play a vital role while in contact with the unit , always remaining static.
60secd max per position , 2 mins rest between positions.
This action is not aerobic so should not cause heavy breathing or chest pains. If any should happen dis-continue immediatly.
- Di
April 16th, 2007Choosing a Provider of Vibration Training or Therapy
(It’s a minefield out there, so tread carefully!)Increased metabolism (fat burning/weight loss), increased muscle strength, increased fitness, speed and flexibility for athletes, hormone rebalancing, lymphatic drainage, increased bone density, activated circulation, improved balance and coordination, overcoming injury/healing, pain reduction, increased oxygen uptake (VO2), improvement in cellulite appearance in women, increased blood concentrations of testosterone and growth hormone in men… And all this in only 10-20 minutes two or three times a week!
This all sounds like an easy path to health and fitness but, is it this easy and does it work?
My own experience is that yes, it does work, but…To anyone looking to try Vibration Training, there are questions to ask: Firstly, you need an understanding about the types of machines; lineal or pivotal. Then consider what brands of vibration machines you have access to and what they can do for you, or not do, actually, as each is specific in purpose.
I started early January, looking to buy a machine for home use. It was pivotal and trying it, in store, was enough to put me off due to head vibrations and a slightly off-balance, nauseous feeling.
Then I went to visit some Vibration Clinics. I have the choice of three close to my home.
The first offered a program more specific to “training” than therapy although the long-term injuries I had did not prevent me trying it out. I filled in an information sheet that had a diagram on which to indicate injuries and problem areas. An Instructor directed me through the program on this and all subsequent visits and I quickly saw benefits of improved fitness and also healing and reduced pain. Being in the perfect position for each workout on the machine was emphasized, so much that if I was not quite in perfect position, I had to correct before the machine was turned on and remain in position during the 60 seconds timing or risk having the machine turned off. The workouts seemed hard as my leg muscles ached, sometimes even slightly the following day. I was able to ask many questions about the program and the machines and never, quite, exasperated the Instructors to the point of no return (I was very slow to learn the correct poses).
I was concerned about the safety of Vibration Training and knowing if the machines were really doing what the websites and advertising promoted so my questions continued and I always received in-depth answers from the Owner and other Instructors. This provider also has a Body Composition Analyser available that measures body fat, bone density and other ratings and provides a printout to keep. After a period of time you can recheck to see measurable improvement.
Although I was happy with this provider I decided to visit another who was advertising a program that is: a revolution in health, anti-aging and beauty, a new way to receive health, strength and physical well-being, a wakeup call for your body and soul, 30 vibrations a second. I was thinking this had to be even better than I was currently experiencing. The program had many more poses than I’d learnt before but holding them for only for 30 seconds and at such a gentle vibration that I got nothing out of it and wanted to head straight back to the first provider to do a proper workout. I had an Instructor who talked continually of the benefits of that brand of vibration exercise, promising me so much, with a program designed specifically for me, yet requiring me to start at the gentle level of that first program and then move in increments that would take a year to reach the level I was already training at with the previous provider!
I was encouraged to find my own, comfortable position, for each pose and told that my position might vary slightly from that of the Instructor or another user. I was concerned about the safety of some of the poses such as putting just one forearm, or one knee or leg, on the vibration pad while balancing my body in positions on the floor. The Instructor did not know about the composition of the machine or where it was made. This was also the most expensive provider. I will not go back.
I returned to the first provider to continue my program but my curiosity soon returned so I visited yet another vibration exercise provider. This one like the others had a form to fill in giving my reasons for coming and listing any health problems I had. The information required was thorough and was discussed before proceeding to the machine. Unlike the previous two providers I was not told to drink water before and after my session. The Instructor was friendly and helpful, showing me the positions on the machine herself and guiding me through them. The program I followed was the intermediate one which used the same frequency (vibrations per second) that I was used to but for a shorter time of 30 seconds so the program was easy but the large number of differing poses became tiring and confusing. The suggested pose for each exercise showed on a screen on the machine and I was told that after a learning period I would simply come in and move through the program myself using the screen prompts, although an instructor would be available. Some of the positions I would use would not be what showed on the screen as they were simply a prompt.
I did extra positions that were to help with my back injury and weakness on that side of my body. I enjoyed using straps attached to the machine, provided to help build upper body strength but I’ve since researched this and find that the elasticity/bounce of the straps gives too much variation to the force or pressure felt and so defeats any perceived gain from using these. This provider also used the poses that I was uncomfortable with, those of having one arm or one leg or knee on the machine. This created an instability that made me unsure if the vibrations were targeting the desired muscle groups accurately or doing me harm. I was particularly unhappy with the position of sitting on the floor with my back against the machine as I felt the vibrations in the area of my kidneys. I definitely would not do that position again.
I left feeling both tired and energized but 30 minutes later developed severe back pain that took 24 hours to settle. I twisted my knee painfully while getting off the floor after one of the final positions and while I could have done this anywhere, I wonder if the large number of poses contributed to this. This studio was for women only and uses a membership plan, joining up for one or two years at a reduced cost plus a, no commitment, more expensive monthly plan. The Owner/Instructor was able to answer the few questions I asked about the machines which were supplied by an overseas company.
I found that the services provided differed greatly between providers and that more (positions or time spent) was not necessary best. Attention to detail such as correct positioning on the machines is essential for the vibrations to target the desired areas.
Ideologies behind the company providing the service shouldn’t have to be of concern to the end user but I found a minefield of players, not only those I visited but others I read about in print and online. I’ve read of problems with machine construction materials resulting in machines not performing to specifications listed, machines not able to perform accurately when the user weight was above a certain amount, and others concerns.
I’m continuing Vibration Training with the first provider I visited. They have five custom made machines each designed for a specific task. I have been able to talk with the designer of the machines and as they don’t sell machines for home use, there’s no hard sell. The designer of these machines is also the person who set the program for the machines so I’ve been able to ask many questions and to feel relaxed about asking and receiving answers. I’m seeing results, which now include weight-loss, which was the one advertised benefit that seemed, too good to be true!
To those wanting to begin Vibration Training or Therapy, look around and ask many questions. Don’t assume that the company with the biggest advertising campaign will provide the best program for your needs. If possible talk to the designer of the machines and the program, even if that means bypassing the owners or instructors of your closest studio or getting the information from them and then checking it out before committing to the program. Most providers give a free first visit so take advantage of this to trial the program offered and ask many questions.
I hope my experience provokes readers to “Give it a Go”. I’m very excited about Vibration Training and will post again when I have more results to share.
October 8th, 2006
Jo,
As someone who has used the system, can you tell us if you use the straps on them? And do you think it works?
Thanks,
Kat