Revealing the Truth About Vibration Training and Weight Loss
Whole body vibration (WBV) training is clinically supported to help users lose weight, change their body composition, gain muscle strength and power, and increase flexibility.
However, wherever there is progress there will be misinformation, and whole body vibration technology is no exception. Do a search online for “whole body vibration” and the results range from scholarly study reports to outlandish claims, and they all seem to point in different directions.
Can WBV really help me lose weight?
These questions are valid, and it’s important to do the research to know whether whole body vibration is a legitimate way to reach your weight-loss goals.
Answering common misconceptions.
1) Do vibration plates really help you lose weight
In the beauty industry, the concept of losing weight from one spot or another is called spot reduction. Unfortunately, no method of exercise is capable of reducing the amount of fat in just one part of the body. As a person follows a program of exercise and healthy eating, fat is used for fuel from all over the body. This is simply a function of biology.
It is, however, possible to increase muscle in specific parts of the body. For example, performing exercises wherein the hands are placed on the vibration platform, supporting the upper body, will strengthen muscles in the arms and back. Increased muscle can improve the overall appearance of the area, even without losing weight.
2) Is WBV alone enough to lose weight?
Some marketing campaigns try to convince consumers that 10 minutes a day of whole body vibration training, just a few times a week, is all it takes to lose large amounts of weight. This misleading technique appeals to our desire for a quick fix.
10 minutes of whole body vibration training, three times a week, is sufficient for a variety of benefits, including weight loss. However, weight loss won’t occur without a powerful machine that will provide significant exertion, via challenging exercises. It is also important to combine this training with a regimen of cardiovascular exercise and healthy eating to reach weight-loss goals.
3) Do vibration plates work if you just stand on them?
We agree; simply standing on a platform is not exercise. But whole body vibration technology is so much more than just that.
With a suitable machine and the right program whole body vibration can stimulate the body in a variety of unique and beneficial ways not possible with other forms of exercise. The key to whole body vibration effectiveness is G-force.
The G-force created by the oscillating plates of a pivotal whole body vibration platform places a load on the body. When you stand on the platform and perform various suggested exercises on it, this load works your muscles much like performing repetitive weight-bearing exercises like squats or lunges, but many, many times, without the risk of overexertion or putting stress on your joints.
4) Is WBV the only exercise I need for weight loss?
whole body vibration has many benefits:
- – increased muscle power and strength
- – improved circulation
- – muscle warm-up and recovery
- – improved body composition (that means less fat and more muscle!)
- – increased posture
- – improved bone density
- – balance and flexibility
- – massage and relaxation
When making the change from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one, whole body vibration alone may provide a significant weight loss benefit.
For best results, however, it helps to engage in a regular cardiovascular exercise like walking, jogging, biking, or other activities that get the heart pumping and the breathing up. Try to work out vigorously enough that you can speak one sentence but not carry on a whole conversation. You should aim for a workout like this on most days of the week.
5) I can’t do traditional exercise. What makes WBV different?
For many people, exercising isn’t as simple as getting up and moving. Chronic pain, significant excess weight, or other medical concerns can make traditional exercise difficult or impossible. A whole body vibration machine allows you to start gently, without exhaustive effort, and progressively increase the stimulation using postures that don’t strain or harm your joints.
The good news is, that whilst best weight loss results will come from combining WBV with some cardiovascular exercise, WBV will still provide weight loss benefits for those for whom traditional forms of cardiovascular exercise like jogging is not preferable or possible.
During intense exercise the stimulus to your muscles, nerves and bones makes your body want to become stronger. By stimulating reflexes and increasing the gravitational load on your body, whole body vibration training amplifies that stimulus without increasing your conscious effort.
Unlike regular exercise, the whole body vibration machine provides most of the movement for you so there’s no need to be jumping around or having to master difficult poses and procedures. It’s fun and feels great!
6) Aren’t all WBV machines the same?
As with most types of technology, whole body vibration machines vary greatly in style, price, and performance. When choosing a machine you should consider these factors. Watch our whole body vibration video, it compares 41 models of whole body vibration machine and explains the technology behind what makes a good WBV machine.
Myths and misconceptions will always surround innovation. Find out the facts and decide for yourself whether whole body vibration training is right for you.
Have you tried whole body vibration yet? Let us know in the comments below, and share this article with a friend.
