What is Vibration Training For?
Is Vibration Training just a quick fix to weight management, or is there more to it? Do people even really want to know? Or is it like TV - switching it on and watching the pretty pictures is enough - who cares how the thing works, right?
If you are one of those people who just want the results with none of the fussy explanations, then move along. Nothing to see here.
If you are really interested - you may like the following.
This is new material I have written to explain what my deeper goals are. Some of it may present a different way of viewing the bio-mechanical human structure than those traditionally taught. Hopefully it will allow you to “SEE” what is really happening.
Bio-Mechanical Physics 101…
“Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred”
Physiology to me is a way of labeling and simplifying physics to:
- allow those in the industry to identify patterns of energy (movement and function) and follow its effect.
- use large blocks of named matter to isolate and treat problems that occur in the tissue.
I personally see the body as 10 trillion separate cells, waiting to receive and transfer energy so it can perform its required task. Each cells function is dictated by its own DNA/Chromosome instruction manual. Yes, every single cell, no matter what type, can be affected.
When I design a Vibration Training device, I account for where the energy goes, what its effects on the cells are, how strong the effect will be, and at what point it is delivered in the safest means.
Your Genetic Potential
Each cell in the human body has a genetic potential. This is stored by the matched DNA/Chromosome system we inherit from our parents. This Genetic Potential is never reached, as signals from the inner cell are not strong and may not get through, and even if a signal does get through, the needed nutrients, hormones etc, and other outside requirements for the cell to complete its task may not be met.
In fact almost everything can stop the cell from reaching its full potential. Not enough food, too much food; not enough sun, too much sun; not enough exercise, too much exercise - you get the picture…
Sometimes the Chromosome or DNA is even damaged and the signal may not be sent complete.
The odds are stacked against us for a reason - too easy and the species would have little weaknesses, which goes against the “Only the strongest survive” rule.
You can quite often see this with immigrants from 3rd world nations who have children in their new homeland. The children are somewhat taller than their parents. What’s happened? Have they jumped in height in only one generation? Of course not, this would be impossible from an evolutionary standpoint.
What has happened is that the parents had the same genetic potential all along, but it just was never reached because of different 3rd world issues (mainly nutrient deficiency). Their children have gotten closer to the genetic potential.
But adequate nutrition is not the only way to ensure that a cell can receive a signal. An outside force exerting itself on the cellular wall will also fire off its own signal burst (as in a myostatic reflex), that spurs the cell into action to do the only thing its designed to do, whatever that may be.
Vibration Training Platform
The reason I choose to use Kinetic Vibration to produce a signal in cells is because it is almost impossible to stop. In fact the only way to avoid it is to avoid contact with the unit. This system gives us just another way to try and over-ride a lifestyle that may block the realization of our Genetic Potential.
But what’s the real point to all these signals. Why not just exercise voluntarily - wouldn’t that just fix everything?
Unfortunately our lifestyle does not allow us to receive the required amount of constant stimulation all other animals get from their normal day to day existence. Think about this.
We are the only animal thats needs to ‘run for fun’ to stay fit. We are the only animal with an obesity problem.
We have essentially managed to evolve our surroundings to a point where lack of stimulation and over-nutrition is now killing us.
Properly built Vibration units should have all these stimulation equations designed into them. They must be balanced to send a balanced signal, as the cells are not fooled easily and require the correct amount of Kinetic Pressure to unlock the key to the response.
I try to replicate most of the signals you would normally receive over 2 days, and put it all into 15 minutes.
OK, in real terms what does this mean?
As an example, over the course of 190 days the average person gets a chance to replace their entire skeletal structure.
Using the ‘Direct Signal’ method of Vibration Training your body has a better chance of reaching its true Genetic Mass Potential. I have used bone as my example as it is the hardest, most complicated and slowest tissue to form. Softer tissue will be faster.
You may see results on a good unit in less than 3 weeks on softer tissue like red muscle cells. But my advice would be to look at your body in blocks of 190 days. This gives your body a chance for a true ‘Body Composition’ change.
I hope this gives food for thought. Comments on this article are more than welcome.
54 Comments
When a machine is built , it should be done around a preset equation.
To induce a precise response.
As opposed to building a big vibrator , putting someone on it , and seeing what happens.
I have seen alot of the later.
- mike Hair
January 17th, 2007Thanks Lloyd,
What a fantastic article, puts a lot of things into perspective.Will be interesting to see what all the people that question your knowledge and credibility have to say
- Nick Morris
January 17th, 2007Great article Lloyd - well done, and perfectly to the point about properly made machines. My range of 9 different specification units will be launched in the next few weeks.
Let’s keep unlocking genetic potential and effecting improved lifestyle and personal performance. - Carl Drake
January 19th, 2007Excellent Lloyd,
This has to be your best article yet. You have managed to successfully articulate in layman’s terms what most would consider a difficult topic to grasp.
Over the years I have wondered, while observing athletes continually beating world record after world record, there must be a limit to what the human body can endure or produce. Your explanation “We aren’t getting better. We are just reaching our potential” answers that burning question I have had for so many years.
Lloyd’s ability to combine unrelated scientific research & discoveries and his ability to communicate this to us in plain English is what makes him the leader in the field. I have not even seen anyone close yet. Still I’m amazed at the amount of people that constantly challenge Lloyd’s knowledge of vibration training.
20 years ago I was repeatedly frowned at for advocating a higher protein lower carb diet. I was given endless grief from a friend as she received and paid for dietary advice from a very well renowned dietician in Auckland. She taught the opposite. Not to my surprise her dietician suddenly completely swapped her diet around. But she still continued to seek the dietician’s advice? I’m sorry but personally I would have completely boycotted the dietician and asked for my money back. As this information had been available for the last 80 years that I know of and therefore arrogance, ignorance and or lack of lateral thinking are the only excuses I can think off for not following it earlier.
I have seen the same arrogance displayed here on this site, and it seems to be brought out by a lack of knowledge. Not good ideas.
The point I’m trying to make is that having the best qualification’s does not necessary mean you are at the fore-front of your field.
From the research I have been doing on the web over the last 12 months I have only seen original material being written from Lloyd Shaw. His claims that no curriculum exists that cover all the necessary knowledge to fully develop this idea seem to be correct. As I have found nothing that would point me in any other direction.
When someone else starts explaining the Physics, Engineering, Bio-Mechanics, Genetics, Medical (Past Base Knowledge) and Anthropology and business ethics that seems make up this project.
I will be happy to read and absorb.
Until then I await your next article Lloyd. I am actually disappointed my detractors have gone into hiding so easily. I find their posing of questions allows me to explore different ways of explaining my thought processes to the public.
This ” fight ” forces me to re-examine how this industry is percieved . Especially those in the Health Science sector , that for good reason do not trust us.
- Nick Morris
January 20th, 2007Perhaps it’s because their genetic potential is so shrouded, from lack of quality WBV exposure!
They need more quality WBV training to unlock themselves, and thrive to greater levels of performance - physically, mentally and spiritually. Maybe their genetic potential is limited by their Brother being their Pa.
Never mind , back to work…..
Nice to see you guys have a sense of humour. I will have to remember that one.
- KG
January 22nd, 2007I think that certain disciplines that people are trained and ingrained in lead to their skeptical/cynical approach to new types of training or therapy.
One case is the medical profession which promising approaches-even if they are found to be advantageous years down the road are exposed to endless rounds of testing and examination before attaining a place in accepted practice.
It’s just the way things work. Things are dismissed as utterly out of hand at the onset, and if the technology proves its worth(and thick skin) it will eventually be accepted.
As far as fitness trainers, if you’ve worked all your life teaching a certain set of procedures, the paradigm shift something like WBV promises, can be very unsettling. It is probably seen as another “get fit quick” scheme that with the absence of vigorous empirical studies and an industry governing body that could help aid in adoption-is easy to scoff at.
I think Lloyd’s analogy to the progression of Pilates was spot on. When the above is in place, consumers and trainers alike will think of WBV like they do of ellipticals or dumbells. It will just take decades.
- Kieran McKee
January 28th, 2007Vibration training is for you? Plenty of debate and questions flowing around cyberspace right now but let’s face it if you don’t try it you won’t know. There are studies being carried out right now and I’m sure all over the world. Let me start by introducing myself to you. I am Kieran McKee and I’m a New Zealand high performance jumps coach. I guess I’m luckiest as I know Lloyd personally so I do get looked after pretty much from the best.
18 months ago I introduced Angela to Lloyd and we asked him what he had to offer us in terms of where Angela was in her performances at age 31 a high jumper and mother of an 8 and 10 year old girls. We were looking specifically for top end performance enhancement, we believe we got it and we are well into our second year of training.
I also coach younger 10 and 12 year olds and have put them through the specific demands of vibration training. Now you are always going to get increases in performance just with growth and technical advancements. The biggest gains that we have experienced thus far have been in balance of movement. Our aim is to start these young children off with exercises that balance their whole body left and right sides working the same. We have had young jumper’s not only improving their actual high jumping performances but a 10 year old gaining a 20 centimeter improvement in her first year of competing and being able to jump this height off either side or take off foot.
Now I must also point out that I am jealous of Lloyd’s body in terms of his muscular composition. I have seen him working solely on the Vibra -Train machines and getting fantastic results. In fact so good that I am going to follow a strict vibration programme on Lloyds machines to improve my own body composition I will keep you informed.
Kieran McKee High performance athletics coach
- Jason
February 14th, 2007Lloyd
Thanks for your answears .I noticed that Bodyshaker and Hypergravity machines have an amplitude which gets to 5 mm .
The Vibrogym and the Powerplate gets to 4 mm .
I am wondering if the 5 mm amplitude is not safe for human body .
In addition a Galileo salesman told me that these amplitudes are unsafe .
What is your opinion ?
And someting else . When someone gets a session on a WBV machine . Is there head poses to minimize the head vibrations ?
Thanks
Note…..
The MM rating is always an approx. The load will vary this somewhat on most units I have seen.There is no reason those higher MM ratings should be dangerous. It just means more caution should be taken during poses.
Correct poses should also take care of ” head vibration ” issues.
- KG
February 14th, 2007Hi Jason.
I can attest to the head vibration.
I had done a lot of work with the Power Plate NG and when I tried the Hypergravity I realized the weakness of th PP made me lax with positioning. Once adjusted(and its slight adjustments nothing large) the head rattle went away. But it says something for proper positioning…if you get a first timer on the plate with improper positioning…they’ll leave the session thinking it’s not for them, when all it takes is correct posture to get the benefits and enthused.By the way, I still use the PP for massage type things after sports that create a lot of lactic acid in the muscles…just can’t use it for a workout…the thing is just too darn weak. I gave Lloyd a lot of guff for his slamming of PP, only after I expierienced a real platform did I realize he was spot on.
Yours in WBV…
KG
- Kris
February 15th, 2007Lloyd,
Have you posted the basic (graduated?) postures yet on your website as you mentioned planning to do?
This would be so informative for us beginners.
Thanks again.
- Kerry
February 15th, 2007BEWARE OF ANY POSTS ON THIS SITE!!
Nick Morris, Lloyd Shaw and KG are all the same person filling many blogs with their promotional material and cutting down anyone that is not working with them.
YOU NEED TO GO STROKE YOURSELVES SOMEWHERE ELSE.
YOU SHOULD REALLY TRY TO BE LESS OBVIOUS!!!!!!!!
BEWARE OF ANY POSTS ON THIS SITE!!
- Mike
February 15th, 2007Hi Jason,
As KG said it’s small adjustments in the head area. Try it for yourself. While holding a basic squat, turn your head slightly sideways, from facing forward, You’ll notice the change in vibrations immediately, and then up and down in SLOW movements, from facing forwards, you will find the spot that is the most comfortable for you. Look for this relaxed position in all the exercises. - Mike
February 15th, 2007Kerry,
I’ve met Lloyd and am pretty sure he was just the one person. He’s a complicated person but there is only one of him.
What’s your angle??? - Site Administrator
February 15th, 2007Kerry - I provide technical adminstration this site and have absolutely nothing to do with WBV. I can assure you that the three commenters you have mentioned are accessing the site from three different geographical locations right across the planet. They are most certainly not a single person.
I would suggest that these three people are quite passionate about WBV.
- mike Hair
February 15th, 2007HaHa good one kerry, I no Lloyd has a lot of voices running around in his head but he assurred me they are all in agreement with each other.
Unless he is having an outer body experience I dont believe he Nick and KG are the same person, sorry Dont worry guy’s , I dont come with an off button.
Any of you guy’s play chess ? It’s always right at the end game , when your opponent realizes the finality of their defeat , they get desperate and make the dumbest moves.
It is so painfull to watch I sometimes let them take the move back.
In this case I wont…
I would also like to add , any staff or associates of mine have been given instruction to give their full names and positions when posting on this forum.
Especially if making statements rather than just questions.
As far as I am aware this has been adhered to.
- Nick Morris
February 15th, 2007I will be at IHRSA in San Francisco (March 28-31) - and look forward to meeting all and any persons that will be present.
Anyone can e-mail me: nickolachi@gmail.com to ensure we schedule time. - Site Administrator
February 18th, 2007Quick note: further research has revealed that the person called “Kerry” was posting under a number of different names on this blog - some of which were affiliated to a particular WBV vendor.
This site is aimed at helping joe and josephine public understand a little but more about WBV.
Let’s keep focused on the subject at hand.
No more shall be said on this.
- Mike Hair
February 19th, 2007Just goes to show, marketers will do anything to try and stop the big players from exposing them.
As an independant studio owner I always have and always will continue to support Lloyd Shaw and what he is doing to further the WBV industry.
As I said in an earlier post time has a way of revealing the truth.
Funny how Kerry hasn’t replied again
Yes Mike , I do think that type of posting brings down the tone of this site. But I always welome a challange as it gives myself and the reader a clearer indication of right and wrong.
Every time I get attacked it just furthers my resolve to try harder.
I will never turn down a good fight , and I believe this industry is definitely worth fighting for. I am not joking or playing with everyone when I say it has the potential to change the way people look after and view themselves.
- Di
July 1st, 2007I’m hoping this is the right Topic for my statements.
I’m reading about “Overtraining Syndrome” in athletes, partlicularly in athletics - track and field, endurance events - marathon, 1/2 marathon, race walking, ironman etc. For both men and women with overtraining syndrome or just too much training, cortisol levels remain elevated, LH is decreased. In women there is decreased levels of body fat ( oh dear - I definitely don’t overtrain
)and associated decreased estrogen levels. In guys there is decreased testosterone and so the inability to build muscle mass. There’s increase in injury, breakdown of muscle protein for energy and so in the end, decreased performance. And more, drop in serum levels iron and zinc, more allergic reactions and infections, chronic fatigue, emotional and motivational inbalance etc.This is where WBV comes in - as a BALANCE to Athletic Overtraining. Also as a therapy and rebuilding agent once full rest has been taken if an athlete does fully overtrain.
WBV promotes muscle growth, increases testosterone, reduces cortisol, and etc. Yet how many coaches and Athletic Trainers are even aware of these benefits?
Comments please!
- Harvey
July 2nd, 2007Di
Do you have any protocols for such scenarios?
- Di
July 2nd, 2007Overtraining Syndrome symptoms - listed from an article in Journal of Athletic Training, an older one - 1992, has lots of references. I don’t have an internet link to this but it’s standard symptoms. It just seemed to me that the benefits of WBV are the opposites of those symptoms. That’s already the reason my partner has done WBV this year as a balance to his endurance running but I didn’t realise that there were so many symptoms that could possibly be helped by vibration training.
For my partner he tears down muscle with running and found the he gained strength and muscle growth with twice weekly wbv, so much that when he was running only shorter distances (5-10km 4x week) he built up unwanted muscle girth in his thighs. He was using a sports model machine. I also noticed a difference in his mood and overall balance in life. Also increased chest muscle - he’s a proficient runner so he is naturally slim and also prefers to just run and avoids crosstraining (weights etc). He has taken a break from wbv past 3 weeks and he’s now training long distance 21km (13mile) so it will be interesting to observe any changes. He plans to return to vibration training pre major events to build up.
I think Lloyd also has experience of using WBV with sports teams so I hope he will comment.
If there is proven data/study on this it makes an excellent marketing point
Vibration Training would only be effective as a preventative measure to overtraining if the athlete accounted for the added stimulation and backed off their regular training , or it could actually make the matter worse.
From my experience most long distance runners ( who are most at risk of overtraining ) are not good at backing off , resting and reading their own bodies . It is the same thing that makes them good in a race , but can equally bring them down at other times.
If this was ever to be used as a marketing tool I hope they do a complete education package involving the “smart” use of these machines.
- Di
July 2nd, 2007Absolutely! Lloyd, you have always emphasised safety and “smart” use of Vibration Training Machines, used for a specific purpose or to help achieve a goal. I agree that endurance runners just like to run and aren’t good at taking time out - they seem to thrive on the endorphins produced or “runners high”.
I can understand that wbv would add additional stress and exhaustion if added to an already full training schedule - maybe I’m just not understanding when it would give benefit.
In the next 3 months I will be spending a lot of time with endurance runners who are training heavily in winter conditions. They do get exhausted and their performance then can be decreased by overtraining. I was going to suggest Vibration Training to some and to the running club generally, as a balanced/balancing activity. I’ve found it works well for me especially in maintaining core stability at around the same $ costs as Physio. Also at less time cost than a traditional core strengthening routine (floor pilates and stretches) which doesn’t get done anyway.
I definitely noticed the benefits for my partner and also with a “psychological skills training” program in past 8 weeks his placing improved to 4th overall (from 50th)and 1st in age group (from 3rd).Runners and walkers training for marathon and half-marathon distances range from those who will place in the top 50 to those who’s aim is simply to complete the distance. So who to recommend it to?
- Mark
September 11th, 2007Mr. Shaw,
My compliments on an interesting forum.
I have a background in the traditional Physical Education, personal training world, retired from practice as a Podiatrist (Chiropodist in your neck of the woods),and have recently apprenticed myself at a Pilates studio, which ( to my initial horror) now possesses three Power Plate units. The benefits attributed to WBV are “grail like”, and to my mycotic neurons the “research” on the effects of WBV on the tenderness of fettucine are a bit technical. The excitement surrounding the arrival of these units by the staff( mercenary grins abound)and the trophy wives seeking a 15 minute twice daily route to the perfect body is disturbing. Neither the staff or the clients have a clue about the validity of this training modality, or whether there are potential adverse health effects. Being the opened minded misanthrope that I am, I attended a one day beginner seminar held by PP, and was interested to learn that WBV increases blood flow selectively to osteoblasts, thus increasing their activity, and bone deposition. In my ignorance, I inquired as to why this increase in blood flow did not also impact on the function of the osteoclasts. I also learned that WBV triggers both the muscle spindle and the golgi tendon organ. Zo, help me here herr Docktor, when my rectus femoris and illiopsoas are contracting isometrically(sic) in a static squat position, the vibrations are triggering the muscle spindles to increase the intensity of the hip flexor contractions,(and relaxing the hip extensors) and the subsequent increase in fiber recruitment and muscle tension is deforming the GTO to inhibit contraction, so we have what? Tetany? twitches? A voluntary and involuntary cascade of muscle fiber activity?As to the vibratory signals impacting on cellular DNA and unlocking one’s genetic potential, are we in the realm of science here, or are we flirting with the metaphysical worlds of kundalini, crystals, and a cup of Madonna Kabalah du jour? Please consider Michael Crichton’s observations on complex systems:
There is danger in complexity.“A complex system demonstrates sensitivity to initial conditions. You can get one result on one day, but the identical interaction the next day may yield a different result. We cannot know with certainty how the system will respond… when we interact with a complex system, we may provoke downstream consequences that emerge weeks or even years later. We must always be watchful for delayed and untoward consequences.”
And finally Michael Gershon tells his students the following;
“Every year I tell my students in my first lecture that at least 1/2 of what Im about to teach them will eventually be shown to be wrong. The trouble is, I do not know which half. The future is a rough taskmaster. Nevertheless, a herd instinct often grips the imagination of scientists. Like lemmings, we are prone to charge over cliffs when a large enough pack of us moves in that direction.”Carthago delenda est!
- Di Heap
September 11th, 2007Carthago delenda est!
Well yes, true if striving forward irregardless of cost (in health and safety) to clients is the company’s aim. Did you interpret Power-Plate’s attitude to be thus?
I’ll leave the more knowledgeable to comment on the muscle reactions as I only understand in part but my concerns when I began using a Vibration Training machine where of safety firstly and results only secondly. Time has already proven WBV to be safe and effective IF (ah yes that qualifier) using a quality machine and even more importantly I think, a safety first program. The results one gets from using these machines is the sum total of the machine, the program and the ability of the Instructor to ensure correct your positioning on the machines. Only SOME companies take care over these! The human body is a major complex system made up of smaller complex systems and as Lloyd Shaw is a Mortician I think he would understand this more than most so I’ve put my trust in his machines and program. As you have said, Time will tell.
After 9 months of regular (usually 3x weekly) use of quality WBV platforms and program I have all good results and although I hate admitting it, I’m not so young anymore so I might be at more risk of “downstream consequences” than, perhaps, someone half my age so I had to decide who to trust. If I thought that instead of exercise I was getting a dose of pop kabbalah, kundalini or crystal witching, I’d be out the door very fast
Actually The WBV Studio I go to has a Medical Body Analyser machine that takes all sorts of readings and my progress is monitored. For me this is important as I want increased fitness, which I have achieved and also body fat mass% loss while retaining muscle mass%. It’s all good news. It’s working for me. Lemmings your trophy wives might be but I differ; I’m the annoying fly that just keeps on buzzing just out of reach of that swatter. The theory on energy transference into cells and its genetic response is all my work and is just a theory. I would be very surprised if PowerPlate taught any of it as well first of all it mine , and it may be found to be completely wrong . Because as you said it is so complicated to replicate an action we are flying blind here on some of the long term effects and applications of Vibration Training.
But I do think alone and will not leap without looking.
The local response caused by vibrations only account for a light effect of the muscles with it being in the realm of hyper-stimulation , where a light twitch may cause blood flow and not alot more.
- Mark
September 14th, 2007Di Heap,
My impressions of the Power Plate presentation, and my sense of their corporate culture was, as you surmised, not a positive one. Even with my fast fading recollection of exercise physiology it was clear that many of their claims were based on half truths, leaps of faith, and unsubstantiated corporate funded research. I thank you for your thoughtful review of your nine month experience, and it appears that you have selected a quality establishment to train at. I begin my own empirical study tommorrow.
Mr. Shaw,
I have been corresponding with a European developer,
NEMES BOSCO VIBRATION TRAINING (www.bosco-system.com),
they make an interesting claim (substantiated?) that each individual has a unique vibratory frequency, and that optimal WBV training requires that the subject workout at a frequency that matches their own. Apparently they utilize a noninvasive EMG to determine an individuals frquency (Im unclear how electrical impulse data is translated to vibratroy frequency). Any thoughts regarding this? Yes, reasoning would suggest that everybody would have an optimum Fq that their muscles would obtain the longest stretch reflex at ( approx 27Hz ), but I have 3 main problems with the marketing of that idea…
(1) It is my belief that the range of Fqs we are talking about is less than 3hz for 99% of the population , so an average is more sensible to work with.
(2) I have not seen a theory yet , let alone proof, that the longest stretch reflex is what we are looking for ( except maybe for high-jumpers ).
(3) The 27hz figure in no way accounts for the vibrations traveling through the entire body , as it only looked at the local reflex reaction on muscles.
Note: I have built units around a 43Hz scenerio for the general population ( for other safety reasons ) and obtained results enough to grow my company.
- martiza
September 18th, 2007Today I visited http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/whole-body-vibration/AN01598 and found this comment from Edward Laskowski, MD. I make a copy paste because it is confussing for people to read this article from Mayo Clinic and believe that wbv is good. I know many people have had good results using a good commercial unit with a good program for loosing weight and also for fitness. Lloyd has been using this technology for a considerable period of time and knows it works. I think there is a lack of knowledge as well as dedication to investigate and study the science behind vibration training. There are also many sport people using this type of tecnology for training and fitness. This doctor says there is no evidence that wbv provides any fitness or weight loss.
Martiza
“Whole body vibration training: An effective workout?
I’ve seen a few ads for whole body vibration machines that supposedly exercise your muscles for you while you just stand there. Since I don’t enjoy exercise, I’m wondering if this would be a good way to lose weight and improve my fitness.
- Renatta / Illinois
Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Edward Laskowski, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.
Answer
There’s no definitive evidence that whole body vibration provides any fitness or weight-loss benefits, and it may even be harmful for people with certain medical conditions, such as low back pain, or women who are pregnant.A whole body vibration exercise machine consists of a vibrating platform on which you stand, sit or lie. As the platform vibrates, your muscles are forced to react to the vibration — which supposedly exercises them. Manufacturers claim that training sessions of only a few minutes twice a week can produce measurable effects.
The bottom line is: You can’t get the benefits of physical activity without doing any of the work. Passive exercise via whole body vibration isn’t an effective means of increasing your endurance, flexibility, strength or stability. It’s possible that vibration platforms may help you burn a few extra calories — but they are far less efficient than an activity you initiate and maintain yourself. For this reason, whole body vibration is unlikely to result in any measurable weight loss or fitness gains.
Also, whole body vibration platforms can be expensive, ranging in price from about $400 to $6,000. Physical activity, such as walking, doesn’t require any specific equipment — other than good shoes.
If you read the Bosco-System NEMES patent application, I think you realize that the answer simpler. I believe that they run the platform at different frequencies, while they perform EMG readings. At the end of the process they plot the data and pick the frequency that gave the highest response.
I have used the NEMES system at the NEMES studio here in Auckland along with alot of my customers at the time ( as the NEMES owner was in fact an ex customer ).
I encouraged my existing customers to try the system and get tested as consumer feedback is important to how I judge the rest of the industry. They were all measured at 25hz - 27hz. Some of my cusomers went to them for a while but returned to my system.
A few points were made…
(a) The experience did not match up to the “geek speak” that was being taught.
(b) They constantly talked down all other systems including Vibra-Train saying mine in fact couldn’t work . Despite customers telling them it did and the owners getting involved in the industry as a result of using my services in the first place ?
(3) The customers were told by NEMES they could not use the pads for upper body workouts going against the rest of what the industry was teaching. It was also said that my Vibtation Handle bar system could not work. No reasonable explaination has yet been given for this.
(4) They told customers no (zero) calories can be burnt during Vibration Training as the heart rate is not raised enough.
Note: The material NEMES released is very precise and time will tell if their scientific theories are upheld or found to be wanting.
I personally sent an e-mail to NEMES Europe expressing my concerns about the above issues and was basically told to get lost .
The studio only lasted about 6 months before it closed its doors .
- mike Hair
September 18th, 2007Holy crap Lloyd, the 4 days spent with you was the best investment i have ever made!
By simply tweaking what we were doing as far as the postures go has taken are customers to a whole new level.Thank you for your help, I feel like i’m in a whole new business
Mike
January 16th, 2007
Lloyd,
I have read your article “What is vibration training for” a facsinating insight and theories on vibration traing and its potential to human health and well being.
Well done,You have abviously doing a lot of research into this subject.
When you say “Properly built machines” what do you mean?
There appear to be many different types of machine out there claiming to do the same thing. However your article seems to imply differently.
I look forward to comparing my body compostion after a 190 day block!!