We just received a press release concerning a six month study presented on Friday at the European Congress on Obesity that showed participants who used Vibration Training as well as a low Calorie diet had more weight loss then those using conventional exercise with the same low Calorie diet.

Here is and outline of the study

The study was conducted over a six month period, after which subjects returned to their daily lives and reported back for retesting at 12 months. In terms of weight loss:

• The “Power Plate®” group lost 11 percent of their body weight and maintained a 10.5 percent loss
• The diet and conventional fitness group lost 7 percent and maintained a 6.9 percent loss
• The diet only group lost 6 percent, and maintained less than 5 percent loss

Even more promising was the reduction of visceral fat:

• The “Power Plate®” group lost 47.8 sq. cm. (18.8 in.), and maintained a loss of 47.7 sq. cm (18.7 in.)
• The diet and conventional fitness group lost only 17.6 sq. cm. (6.93 in.), and maintained only a 1.6 sq. cm (.63 in) loss
• The diet only group lost 24.3 sq. cm. (9.57 in.) and maintained only 7.5 sq. cm. (2.95 in.) loss

“We are extremely encouraged by the results of this study, especially in terms of the reduction of visceral fat,” said Guss Van Der Meer, Founder of Power Plate®. “Obesity is a major concern both in the United States and worldwide and we are excited that Power Plate® exercise may provide a low-impact way for people to lose weight and belly fat.”

This study was funded by the Artesis University College of Antwerp and has not been peer reviewed as of yet. It does show promising results for the industry, in general, even though this study was conducted using Power Plate machines.

US independent consumer testing magazine Consumer Reports took the SoloFlex for a test drive and was not impressed.

Take a pass. There was no significant increase in calories burned when standing on the vibrating board. Most users who did more than stand said the WBV didn’t enhance their workout. Some panelists said the board was too small–a few actually fell off. Some also complained of headaches, blurry vision, or back pain

How They Tested

Six people stood on the device for 5 minutes, at medium and high vibration, while a metabolic gas analyzer gauged the calories they burned (our measure of “a good workout”). Six other people performed three Pilates sessions on the board, two with vibration and one without. And we had three experts in the science of human movement assess the studies Soloflex cites to support its claims.

The Response From SoloFlex

Soloflex does not make weight-loss claims for our WBV Platform nor do we suggest that it replace regular exercise except for those who cannot exercise because of physical limitations. [...]

It takes weeks to see the benefits of any type of exercise program. Consumer Reports magazine should do their homework before publishing such nonsense. Supermarket tabloid reporting may be good for increasing circulation for magazines that do not accept advertising but it does not serve consumers. (source)

Reality Check
Spending 5 minutes to test a piece of fitness equipment is pathetic. It’s a bit like doing a set of dumbbell arm curls, then immediately testing for a strength increase… because there is no apparent gain the dumbbells must not work.

On the flip side – and WBV marketing literature that claims instant weight loss benefits is foolish and misleading. The same must surely be said for cardiovascular gains.

SoloFlex claims their vibrating board will “enhance Pilates, Tai Chi, Yoga and all types of stretching, freebody exercises and weight training” – which is so vague as to be almost meaningless.

“Roadhouse” has asked the following questions

Regarding weightloss – what am I doing wrong?

I purchased a hypergravity personal model 4 months ago. Have followed their recommended program for all 4 months, 3 times a week, and am now doing the advanced workout.

Have not lost a pound and look the same!

Any thoughts regarding my lack of results and what I might do improve results is greatly appreciated.

Roadhouse makes no comment on his diet – but still his questions are valid…

Any answers?