Five Questions About WBV Machines to Ask Your Trainer

Vibration technology as we know it today is not something new; this form of training and therapy has been around for a few decades now and has been used not only in health centers or hospitals, for scientific purposes, but also in sports competitions, to help athletes perform better or recover faster.

Whole body vibration is an innovative type of training that appears to be safe for all age groups, and people with various conditions and fitness levels. It has been found to exert positive effects in kids with motion problems, in healthy and active teens and adults, as well as in seniors, so regardless of your age, there are sure exercises that you can safely practice on a vibration platform.

However, if this is the first time you hear about this type of training, you may want to do a little research and learn about WBV before jumping on a vibrating machine and starting your first exercise session. So here are five questions you should ask your trainer if you plan to include a vibration platform in your weekly exercise routine.

1. Is there anyone who shouldn’t use whole body vibration?

This is one of the most important questions to start with, as although WBV is generally safe, there are some contraindications for this form of training. So if you have recent implants for example or you’re just recovering from a fracture, or you suffer from a chronic condition, you may be advised to not use this form of exercise.

Also, WBV is not recommended to pregnant women, or people with pacemakers, and may not be the best solution for those with acute inflammation, acute back pain, knee or hip replacement, epilepsy, thrombosis, diabetic ulcers or recent infections. Make sure to check with your trainer and with your physician before joining a WBV training program.

2. Our whole body vibration exercise results immediate?

This question is tricky, and is probably the result of false advertising in a lot of cases, as several companies promote their vibration machines as magic devices that can make fat cells melt away in minutes. The honest answer though is that vibration machines cannot produce immediate results if we’re referring to significant changes in body shape, strength, or stamina.

However,  there might be temporary results that can be experienced immediately after a vibration machine workout. For example, if you train your arms and core for 10 minutes, you may feel your muscles burning, and there might be some soreness and more definition, or on the contrary, some swelling just after the workout.

Your circulation may improve temporarily and lymph drainage may also be stimulated, so both these may be experienced even with a single whole body vibration session. But for long-term results, you’ll have to commit to whole body vibration and practice it regularly, just like you would do with other forms of physical activity.

3. Can I lose weight by training just on a vibration platform?

Vibration machine exercises can help with weight loss just as much as conventional strength training, studies showing that this type of activity is effective in preventing the accumulation of fats around the waist, in decreasing the amount of visceral fat, and in improving body composition by decreasing the body fat percentage.

So it is possible to lose weight and improve your appearance by exercising on a vibrating platform, but it depends on the frequency and intensity of your workouts. Regular whole body vibration training sessions can help reduce cellulite and improve your skin tone, muscle strength, and definition, and can help you create a leaner and slimmer body. But you shouldn’t expect any major change in your appearance if you just exercise now and then.

Research has found vibration machine exercises to produce similar effects to conventional strength training, but the time spent exercising is usually lower, so WBV is more time-efficient. Also, it can be safer for people who can’t lift weights or do intense cardio exercises, and for those who don’t have that much flexibility or mobility due to various conditions.

4. Does research say this training method is safe?

Yes, over 50 years of studies on whole body vibration suggest this training method is safe and can be used by people of all ages without significant side effects. Whole body vibration uses different frequencies and amplitudes depending on the machine’s model and technical characteristics, so there’s aren’t universal features and the effects can vary greatly from one machine to another.

However, there are also some common aspects, such as the frequency interval that’s the best for optimum results, or the frequency values at which the body reacts in certain ways – increased circulation, massage, increased lymph drainage, improved muscle strength, and so on. The existing studies support the use of this form of training and therapy, and whole body vibration is popular all over the world.

5. What benefits can I expect from training regularly on a vibrating platform?

The list of health and fitness benefits you can expect from training regularly on your whole body vibration machine is impressive for sure, and you can learn more about these benefits by checking our previous blog articles and our Learning section. Here are some of these benefits:

• improved energy and endurance
• improved focus and cognitive performance
• better mood
• stronger bones and muscles
• more muscle definition and a fitter body
• decrease in cellulite appearance
• improved fluid elimination and lymphatic function
• improved skin appearance
• improved muscle tone
• decreased back pain
• improved posture
• better athletic performance
• stronger core and back muscles, and lower risk of spine deformities
• increased bone mineral density and lower risk of osteoporosis
• better coordination
• better blood circulation
• improved mobility and flexibility
• improved metabolic rate and energy consumption
• faster recovery from injuries
• reduced joint stiffness
• reduced stress levels
• improved hormone production and so on

A lot of these benefits can be experienced with conventional exercises as well, so it’s up to you to decide which form of physical activity you want to include in your weekly routine. For best results thought, it’s recommended to mix cardio and strength exercises, so for example you can do 3 days of cardio then 3 days of strength workouts, and alternate between whole body vibration and conventional weight lifting or body weight exercises.

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