What Are the Disadvantages of Vibration Machines and Who Should Not Use Them?

Most probably you are already familiar with the body vibration machines or at least you have heard of them. There is a big chance that you have recently passed by one of them in your local gym or have been researching on the internet intending to make a purchase.

Indeed, the popularity of the whole body vibration machines has increased significantly within the past few years and it seems that nowadays everyone is talking about them. But are they really for everyone? The benefits of the whole body vibration (WBV) activity are numerous, but does that apply to every person out there?

Can the vibrating platforms be harmful? Are there any disadvantages of vibration machines and are there people who should stay away from that sort of equipment? The purpose of this article is to provide answers to those questions. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Are vibration machines harmful?

Vibration machines have been around for some time now and since their introduction to the general public, a substantial amount of studies have been conducted regarding the positive and negative effects of the equipment. The majority of these studies have shown promising results, indicating positive outcomes for strengthening muscle tissue, increasing bone mineral density, accelerating physical recovery, and aiding weight loss.

But what about the negative effects? Can the vibrating machines be harmful? Are there any precautions that people should be made aware of? According to scientific studies, overall the vibration body machines are considered safe and there are little to no side effects for the majority of users. The most common side effects that have been reported are usually related to pre-existing medical conditions.

Before purchasing a WBV machine, however, please consider the following important aspects:

• Only buy vibrating platform machines from a reputable company
• Make sure the machine corresponds to the industry safety standards
• Choose a machine that does not exceed the healthy vibrations limit
• Consider a machine with variable settings and different vibration levels
• Some groups of the population should stay away from the WBV machine

Who should not use a vibration machine?

As mentioned earlier in this article, vibration platform machines are considered safe for the majority of the population. However, certain demographic groups should not use the machine. These are mainly people who have recently undergone an operation, had a fracture, or suffer from a certain chronic condition. The clinical trials have indicated that those individuals are better to steer away from the vibrating equipment, otherwise, their condition might worsen.

So, who exactly should not use the vibrating platform machine? Below is a comprehensive list of the demographic groups who should leave the vibrating equipment aside:

• Patients who recover from a recent operation
• People who have recently been fitted with metal pins, bolts, or fasteners
• People who have recently encountered orthopedic injuries
• Those of you who suffer from diabetes
• People who have certain cardiovascular conditions
• Persons with recent head injuries
• Women who are pregnant
• People who suffer from epilepsy
• Patients with acute hernia
• Persons with gall or kidney stones

Is vibration bad for the brain?

To date, numerous studies are indicating that vibrations can be harmful to the human body. That includes most of the physiological systems, organs, and brain. However, these studies have investigated the effect of occupational vibration. Therefore, before answering this question, we have to clarify an important aspect – occupational vibration and whole body vibration caused by a vibrating machine are two very different things.

While workers such as truck drivers, jack-hammer operators, and other industrial employees exposed to occupational vibrations have reported negative effects, the whole body vibration from a vibrating machine has not been associated with negative side effects, including such to the brain. The main reason for that is the difference in time duration and the level of vibrations.

Usually, occupational vibration occurs for up to 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, and may involve frequencies with a range of up to 100Hz and above. Contrarily, WBV activities involve short exercise periods of about 15 – 30 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days a week. Furthermore, the machine uses a limited frequency range that is between 5Hz – 60Hz.

How long should you stay on a vibration machine?

The key factor here to be considered is moderation. Reaching your personal fitness goals with a whole body vibrating platform is easier than conventional forms of exercise, but it still requires consistency and moderation. So, how long should you stay on a vibration machine to achieve satisfactory results? As you can imagine, that depends on the desired outcomes.

Overall, the specialists recommend an exercise duration of about 15 – 30 minutes a day, 3 to 4 days a week. That’s it – all the time you need to invest in a week to achieve stronger muscles, denser bones, better circulation, and reduced fat percentage. Before you jump on the plate, however, please bear in mind that it is best to start with shorter time periods at lower frequencies and progress gradually.

Here are some common time durations depending on the fitness goals. Please note that time durations may vary among different brands and models. Always refer to the product manual or speak to a specialist.

• For speeding up metabolism, increased fat burning rate and general weight loss – 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week;
• For improving muscle tone and energy levels – 15 – 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week;
• For improving bone strength and density – 20 minutes a day, 4 days a week;

Final thoughts

Whole body vibration machines offer an easy, pain-free, and safe way for improving your overall health and fitness level. The regular use of the equipment has been associated with numerous benefits, such as increased muscle mass, stronger bones, better circulation, and decreased weight.

However, while considered safe for the general population, the WBV machines have their disadvantages and not everyone should use them. For instance, some of them can be too noisy, take too much space, or too heavy to move around. Furthermore, the vibrating fitness tool is not recommended for people with certain conditions such as diabetes, epilepsy, cardiovascular diseases, and those who are recovering from a recent operation.

Nevertheless, the advantages of vibration machines far outweigh the disadvantages, and the benefits exceed the negatives manyfold. The machine requires only a fraction of your time and can be used from the convenience of your home or office. Many people around the globe have already benefited from its use, have you?