3 Health Concerns About Vibration Training
Note: Vibration Therapy/Training has been used successfully and safely for almost 100 years - with no problems recorded. It is only recently that marketers have jumped into this technology with no background knowledge and only sales in mind. Trust me I worked for them and their concern for your health is ZERO. Anything that may divert a sale will not be approached let alone researched. The programs I originally developed for Power-Plate where rejected due to complaints from their marketing department. Follow these and you will get all the benefits with none of the safety concerns.
Unsupervised Use
The unrestricted/unsupervised use of Vibration Training equipment has been a concern of mine since I first started writing original material in 2003. As Product Manager of Power-Plate I saw the potential for abuse of the units in several ways. Their refusal to acknowledge my concerns was one of the reasons for my departure.
Some of them being:
- Overuse
- Incorrect poses
- Incorrect Fq
I will list the reasons for these concerns and why I believe the sooner the “real” industry starts talking to each other and laying down some restrictions , the better.
Overuse
Possible symptoms include:
Chronic Fatigue
This can cause everything from just plain tiredness to a massive drop in your immune system (leading to other health disorders). This one is simple - you ask your body to do too much and it can’t keep up.Think about this; in an average Vibration Training session you may do approx. 30,000 separate movements. This is like running a marathon for most people, and because it is actually do-able for most people, it is primed for abuse. But your body simply can’t expend that amount of energy and keep going for long. You will get sick eventually.- Hyperthyroidism
This is a state where your regulatory glands are over-activated causing a large fluctuation in your hormone levels. This can lead to fluid retention, problems with hormone sensitive organs such as the ovaries (for women). At the exteme end this condition can cause multiple organ failure. Note: I have had one case reported to me so far from South Africa where a lady was using a plate for over 40 minutes a day (and she was following her instructors advice). So this theory was not a fanciful idea as was put to me when I first aired my concerns. Unfortunately I expect to hear about more such cases before anything concrete is done. - Tissue Breakdown
This is when the healing cycle is not allowed to complete itself. Your body breaks down more cells than it can rebuild before you re-damage the area. Long distance runners have always had this problem with their knees.
Incorrect Poses
This one sounds self-explanatory but it is obviously not, from what I have seen on many a Vibration Training poster sold with machines and on-line.
Our joints are only designed to work at high use at precise angles. Moving away from these angles can cause unnecessary wear and tear. It can also cause neck injuries. That is where a good instructor is very important - they will re-correct you during your time on the units so no problems occur.
Incorrect Fq
This is a tricky one as so may of the units available go to the lower Fq, hence people believe it must be safe. The fact is lower Fq should only be used for limited physiotherapy programs due to the unsafe nature of what they call resonance Fq.
This is where waves bounce off each other causing a disturbance in an area. In this case your internal organs give off their own resonance and matching these is not a good idea. They range from 5Hz-20Hz. Again misuse could cause disturbance to organ function. Keeping away from these Fq by a factor of 10Hz should allow safe use of units over a lifetime.
Note: Some cheaply built units are NOT doing the Hz setting showed on the display. Some are slowing down with only a load of 20-80kg. One major brand was tested - unloaded - and it was still slower by 13hz than its advertised specs. And that was with no-one on it.
Safety First
This article was not written to scare anyone off Vibration Training, just to show how serious we are about putting up this type of training for scrutiny . We will never create a safe industry by burying potential problems as is the normal procedure for marketers and corporates .
Written by Lloyd Shaw on May 30th, 2007
179 Comments
- any ideas
February 26th, 2008sincere thanks
TC….
Do you understand why I use the term Vibration Training rather than anything else ?
I admit there are multiple terms that could be used to explain what we do , but companies will trademark these terms and use them against the very people that invented them .
Then you find yourself in a position where you end up getting charged for the use of it. If you have promoted the term yourself you can try and block it , but that takes money and vigilance.
” Vibration Training” is untouchable due to legal restrictions now. Every company big and small can use it without fear of being cornered in the future.
How about this folks…
And I was worried about uncontrolled sideways motion of some cheap brands.
- Di
March 27th, 2008Look at her knees and hips! That’s just so bad! Being so young she might not get injured but I hope that machine never makes it onto the commercial market.
I bought a vibra-trim, what a joke. It’s one of those wobble boards, an osillator. Get this, I returned it and they charged me a $210 restocking fee. Is this legal? Stay away from vibra trim.
- Di
March 29th, 2008Philip Michael, My reply to you might sound mean but it is my honest reply.
If you had read any of this site before you bought the machine, you would have recognised it as one of the many brand names of a particular spec machine that has been said, over and over, to give low results, therapy only; and even then it causes lower back pain in many people. It does have a use for some people (maybe) but it really is necessary to try before you buy with that type of machine or buy on money back guarantee or preferably pay after a month’s trial.
The restocking fee can be allowable. Depends on your local laws. I hope you will now go to a studio to try out machines or else write again and say exactly what you want to achieve so you can be guided in machine purchase. Also where in the world you live as this forum is worldwide.
- Lynda
April 10th, 2008Hi there
I have read through quite a few posts here and find it all very interesting. I’d like to try some of the exercises mentioned although they’re a bit hard to follow without pics.
I wonder if you could give me some advice? I have a Crazy Fit machine (I live in Australia). Is the motion on these machines of an inferior type? Would using the machine once or twice a day for 10 mins each time be too much?
I’m reasonably fit, although don’t have great knees and am a bit worried I could be doing somethign negative by the way the machine moves.
Thanks heaps
Lynda No-one is going to like this answer , and I am prepared to take flak for it , but it needs to be said.
I will personally now no longer give any advice regarding the use of machines we clearly state on this site not to buy.
We have spent so much time and energy warning the consumer in multiple articles and blogs about these machines I just dont have any more answers or advice than what I have given already.
Sorry.
Just to clarify the above statement…
Because we have no idea exactly what the machines from those companies are doing anymore , it is just plain unsafe for us to give advice on how to use them.
- Di Heap
April 11th, 2008Lynda
There’s a lot of info on here about the machine you have already purchased. Unfortunately for you, no one has yet said anything good about it!
Do you feel okay using it - no back pain, no headaches or knee pain? You’ve trusted what the salesman told you. It’s a bit late to ask for advice, sorry. No one who posts on here can reassure you about your machine - I have asked in another thread for people who like that type of machine to comment and the only comments were negative.
I’m not sure what exercises you’ve read on here that you want to follow that don’t have pics. Some people use the program that was written for Lineal machines, on pivotal machines. Did you not get a program with the machine and if you did are you not happy with it? I can’t say nice things as I’ve tried that machine three times and don’t like the sensation. Also no-one has been able to assure me that it performs to specs and no-one seems to care. I think you got duped so If you are unhappy with the machine then return it!!!
(Despite what I’ve said - Quality Pivotal Vibration has a place in the Industry especially for rehab and physio work)
- Keith
April 13th, 2008Hi Lloyd
Just a few queries if you don’t mind regarding training.
My wife and I train regularly 3 times a week and since aquiring our machine in September last year and have seen improvements in body shape and tone that we’ve never been able to achieve in the gym and have both lost a bit of weight as well.
About 2 months ago though my left wrist started to hurt when doing the press up and the tricep dip.
I’ve bought a wrist guard which has helped considerably and continue to train feeling only minimal twinges towards the end of the 60 secs.
Am I or have I done something wrong while training?Although it took me maybe a couple of months or more after getting our machine before I could do the tricep dip for the full 60 secs
it pleased me no end because my wife was embarrassingly doing it succesfully before me which was a bit damaging for the ego.I then lately went through a period of about a month when I could not hold the pose for longer than 45 seconds while my wife continued to quite humiliatingly easily complete her 60 secs.
Does one normally experience a drop off like this or is it an anomaly? I’m back to doing 60 secs again althought really struggling to hold over the last 10 or less secs. Is there any way I can nobble my wife until I’m back on track again?
I do all the other 7 exercises without a problem including the 2 min superman squat without overstraining.
I’m weighing in at 104 kgs while she is around 62 kgs. Is the heavier weight the problem?
I’ve recently taken to alternately walking and jogging on the beach every Sunday morning to assist with cardio and weight loss and have twice in the last 3 weeks pulled a left hamstring.
I don’t know whether the stretch position is sufficient for the flexibility needed but I know the backs of my legs above the knees feel very tight lately, especially when I’ve been sitting for a while. I’ve also started using the exercise bicycle when wbv training.
Please advise whether I should book into a retirement home or continue training.
Thanks
Keith
- Keith
April 13th, 2008Just another thing, Is diet part of the answer? I recently started taking a whey protein isolate which a friend of mine passed on to me because it did not agree with him. My diet otherwise is reasonable well balanced with proteins (mainly fish and chicken) carbs and fruits after every meal where possible. Pizza unfortunately enters the equation now and again.
A site I visited recently suggested taking a whey protein shake as a supplement in addition to good nutrition. It also suggested taking a whey shake immediately after training to help the body with rebuilding. I now do this after every wbv session although another source says to wait an hour before taking.
Any thoughts on this anyone?
Your tendon problem is quite common with guys ( even me ) , due to the tendency for them to become tighter/thicker with added strength to the muscles.
(1) For the push-up you could start doing it closed fisted with soft foam.
(2) Or turn your hands so your fingers are curled over the “side” of the plate. You can also do this for the tricep dip.
The other part of your question regarding it getting easy then hard etc.. I will answer with an article.
I still eat takaways so refuse to give advice regarding diet. But I will say I only ever take raw eggwhite in chocolate milk when wanting to put on size.
- Keith
April 14th, 2008Thanks Lloyd
I look forward to your article with interest.
A bit more info which might explain the tightness in the tendons.
Originally I was doing the superman squat for 60 secs being all that I could manage. The same applied to the lunge where I was doing 30 seconds per leg to make up the 60 seconds.
I now do the lunge for 60 seconds on each leg and the squat for the full 2 minutes as the legs have adapted strongly to the wbv training.
Should I maybe back off on the lunges or follow a stretch program or both? More stretches the better. 1 between each set will help.
But you will still go through periods of tightness as your muscles etc… get harder.
- Di Heap
April 14th, 2008Keith, All things in moderation, including moderation!
Pizza wont hurt you in moderation.
Whey protein isolate if it’s a quality brand is a highly refined, filtered whey product and easy to digest (no upset stomach). You can take it before (30mins) regular gym based or outdoor training in water and straight after training in milk or juice or water. It’s a good idea to eat some carbs before regular (gym) training as that’s then the energy source that the body uses first.Okay, that’s regular type training. For vibration training you can have the whey isolate before or after. If having it both times you might be adding extra calories that you don’t need but if it stops you eating pizza…
Lloyd’s right about egg white being great protein for building up mass but do you want to do that. Sounds like your weight is high enough and you want to tone so not too many carbs but hey this isn’t a diet site.
Make sure you stretch before and after jogging or sometimes it’s even better to just walk for 5 minutes, then stretch, then jog.. and never just stop, make sure you slow down and walk then light stretches again. (now Lloyd will make smart comment at me as I’m the one with running injuries at present from ignoring his advice)
- Keith
April 14th, 2008OK Lloyd will try more stretches as I’m really starting to enjoy the beach work.
Di, Thanks for the info, you’ve sorted out the pizza, but now what about the chocolate craving thats a tad more difficult? I’m actually trying to lose more weight thats why I’m only taking the whey protein on training days.
I just need to get a bit of jello off the middle so I can see if the 6 pack legend is just a myth
I’ll let you have the location of the nutrition site at some stage as you seem to be pretty clued up on on that sort of thing and you can see what you think. Thanks, Di,I appreciate your feedback. I bought the machine (probably like many other people) off ebay. I find it to be ok, but it’s obviously not a quality machine. I’ve had no aches or pains. I bought it to get a bit fitter, particularly as I sit at my computer a lot of the day.
The list of exercises that came with the machine where nothing much to speak of. I noticed write ups of some exercises on here and would like to try them. I should, perhaps, spend some more time exploring this site.
Thanks again for your time.
- Di Heap
April 17th, 2008Hi again Lynda, I was maybe a bit harsh in my criticism of the machine you bought but I just haven’t met anyone you really likes it and it does have some major faults. But, if you are comfortable and careful using it,it probably wont hurt you and might be good for light exercise or therapy use. Just don’t use it every day even though literature says you can and even several times a day. And make sure your back keeps feeling okay. Use it with relaxed knees never locked. I hope someone will tell you of an exercise program, maybe Mike Hair or someone else who has experience of pivotal machines.
Keith, are you serious about the chocolate craving or do you just enjoy chocolate? If it really does help you to feel better then try getting more magnesium in your diet - green leafy veg, broccli, whole grains, some fish, nuts
- Tim
May 7th, 2008Thanks for all the great info on this site! I live in Sweden and I´m looking for a new unit for my mother who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and has an artificial knee. She is currently using the cheapest PowerPlate a few years old and feels it helps her to walk better as it warms her up for the day. So far, the artificial knee is fine. Now she wants a new unit and will give the PowerPlate to me (even though I am not sure I want it after reading about the company here and having had some unpleasant experiences with their trainer and the machine´s rubber feet). She is no longer considering a PowerPlate upgrade, but wants me to find the best alternative. She is mainly looking for a feet/leg warm-up and a plate for light training plus she wants me and my girlfriend to be able to do heavier training on it (although this would just be a bonus - if possible to combine). I have used her current PowerPlate along with a cheap home gym, but it did not give me the results I was getting in a fully equipped gym. Cost is not an issue as long as it is not a waste. I have just been in contact with a company selling VibroGym in Sweden and here are my questions and their answers:
How many Gs? Their machines produce enough Gs for heavier training (Evolution 8,8 and Professional 10).Good frequency for an artificial knee? They say 25-30Hz although warning it could be a contraindication. According to them physiotherapists use lower frequencies not to cause joint problems. However, do not use less than 20Hz.
Frequency best for muscle building? 27-32Hz depending on fitness level. Says PowerPlate informs people that the higher level of fitness the higher Hz. Bullshit. If one should be able to withstand 40-50Hz it does not result in more muscle mass - only placebo. Research has shown that 30Hz is best for muscle building.
Training? They offer a half days´ training course. Included.
Guarantee? 2 years.
Lloyd, didn´t you write that 43Hz (and not 27-32Hz) is best for a serious workout/ muscle building or did I misunderstand?
Could You give us some advice when it comes to purchasing the kind of machine we are looking for?
The company selling VibroGym attached a few documents written by Brookfields Lawyers. You vs. PowerPlate? Good to see that these documents are doing some good even here on the other side of our globe!
All the Best,
Tim
My comment regarding 43Hz ……
(1) You get very good results at that Fq, it is true slightly lower Fqs give a larger stretch reflex , but no tests to date have shown me % value of mass increase in muscle cell/tissue just with the lower Fq range.
In other words you may only be getting such a small % increase in mass by going lower , that it is not as important as some would have you believe. And is it worth the other hazards ( increased vibrations into the lumbar and head ) that come with the lower FQ ?
Think about this…
My units have a capable range of 1-60Hz , all my studio machines have 2 amplitude settings (1mm amd 3 mm ) but I have them set at 3mm/43hz for basic studio/public use.
I have 6 different models that vary the 9 part bio-mechanic equation to some degree for different musclular effects.
I also own Vibro-Gyms and Body-Shakers and have used the new Power Plate , Body-Vibe and dozens of other products that all said Fq and Amplitude was “everything” and the secret to good results .
From day one I knew this to be too symplistic and missing physics values to be the complete truth.
To cut a long story short my tests showed 43Hz =
Best results + best experience = willingness to train.
Note: I built more muscle on my new units that I though was possable and other changes I had never seen before on other machines.
I will be writing much more about all this in the future.
As for advice on machines…
Vibro-Gym Pro or anything from Hypergravity.
- Tim
May 8th, 2008Thanks Lloyd, for your rapid response!
Would 43Hz be the best frequency for my mother as well; strenghtening or at least not disturbing artificial knee attachment and getting circulation/pain relief going in her feet/legs. Should she avoid the high amplitude setting? What about the best setting for general massage?
Could you set exactly 43Hz on a VibroGym Pro? It says 30-35-40-50Hz on the datasheet and to me that seems to indicate just 4 settings; 30, 35, 40 and 50Hz, but hopefully they mean 30 to 50Hz in 1Hz steps.
I am looking forward to reading more.
Keep up the good work and thanks again!
The Vibro-Gym Pro only goes in steps , so you will need to just do 40hz/2mm for your mother.
Massage can be done on the same setting. The difference in massage settings is not so great.
Only use 4mm for proper training.
- Tim
May 8th, 2008Thanks Lloyd!
So, no need to get the Evolution for more exact settings?
VibroGym says you can train on their units every day. I believe you are right about the need for a longer recuperation though. How about massage? Can this be done everyday and if so, for how long maximum?
No real time limit for massage , just a few minites each body part should do it job.
- Tim
May 8th, 2008Excellent!
- Tim
May 8th, 2008If one is unsuccessful in sticking the PowerPlate to the floor with some kind of aid, it travels sideways (when no one is on it). Normal PowerPlate behaviour?
Any good reason to go for the VibroGym Evolution instead of the Professional?
Lloyd, your machines look great!
The Evolution will have more settings and a larger platform. The rounded edges ( as on my bullet range ) are more ergonomic and allows for more medium range exercises for woman.
But they will feel/be different being different units. So the results may vary.
It is really more of a commercially minded product like we use already.
- Keith
May 8th, 2008Hi Lloyd
If you please how would one massage different parts of the body to treat aches and pains or just to get a feel good overall massage? Is there any info available on this as in what Hz settings and body positions? How would one handle a Rotator Cuff Injury for instance if at all? It really depends on the shape of the machine.
If you go to vibrogyms website you can see lots of massage positions for the rectangular shaped machines.
Note: I have concerns over the hazards of “getting” into position on most of the massages promoted. So be carefull.
Settings , Low / 40-50hz
- Tim
May 8th, 2008Thanks Lloyd! I guess the Evolution would last us longer also. Do any of these machines have settings specifically for people weighing less than 50-60 kilos? Is this important?
No , that is not an issue .
Unless dealing with lightweight athletes.
- Tim
May 9th, 2008Thanks Lloyd! Did you build muscle on your machines using only static training? Do you work for example biceps with free weights also or just using your machines?
All static , but remember I have the Vibra-Train standard unit. So full body tri-cep dips , statis pull-up etc.. are possable.
- Tim
May 10th, 2008So, straps for static biceps training cannot be recommended, I suppose. If so, how come? I believe this would be good for people to know as many machines come with straps.
Tim
Think about this,
straps are made of material, quality machines are made of steel.
Steel transfers vibration, material does not.
The only real work out you would get from using the straps is the effort you exerted contracting your biceps. Vibration training works your involuntary reflex system therefore a relaxed pose is necessary.Yes , straps work agianst every principle in vibration training , where gravity is used as a constant. Not force applied.
That is why you see no strap work on the safety program. It may be usefull to some degree , but not serious enough to consider having a training value.
And its not that we dont recommend it. It is more of a case of “dont expect too much”.
The King exercise poses on the safety program give 90% of the results you need from a decent negative response platform .
The other stuff is physio.
February 26th, 2008
dear any ideas,
If it is “vibro-gym” you are refering to, then yes, this should be a good quality machine to try out and gain some experience with. It is one of the closest machines, operation wise, to what we offer at Hypergravity.
Make sure the trainers know of your condition, and what your expectations are before you start out.