Every morning on my way to work, I walk past a “vibration training studio”.
A few weeks ago, another studio appeared just a hundred meters from my office. Vibration training machines have piqued my curiosity.
Can a machine that vibrates actually provide some health or weight loss benefit?At first I viewed these devices with some skepticism. There seems to be no shortage of marketing information – but very little in the way of real-world experience.
VT and Increased Basil Metabolism Rate
The Whole Body Vibration Training blog has approached the subject of weight loss and Whole Body Vibration. It is a complex subject – but with the number of training studios suddenly appearing – it’s time to try and get some answers.
Apparently the more advanced machines offer enough resistance to ultimately lead to an increase in BMR:
The more advanced response would be true “activation” (an anaerobic response) which would cause micro-tears in the muscles, leading to the healing cycle resistance trainers try hard to induce.
This in turn has a hormonal effect causing your protein mass to increase which naturally raises your BMR. The aim of which is to burn more calories while resting.
It seems to me that the potential for fat-burning with a vibration training machine has to do with the “after-burn” – the energy that is burned after the session.
Backed Up with Research?
A popular study (source) found that overweight or obese individuals regularly using a vibration machine called the Power Plate who were placed on a calorie-restricted diet, had more long-term weight-loss and dropped more fat around their abdomen than people on conventional fitness regimens.
The study involved 61 overweight or obese people, predominantly women, and followed them for one year. Participants were divided into four groups:
- Calorie-restricted diet, visits with a dietician and no exercise.
- Same diet, plus exercise 3 times a week for 1 hour, which included cycling, swimming, running, step aerobics and muscle strengthening exercises.
- Diet intervention and vibration plate training with gradual increase of intensity and speed each week and incorporating exercises like squats, lunges, calf raises, push-ups and abdominal crunches.
- No intervention.
Data revealed the diet only group lost 6% of initial body weight, but failed to maintain 5% weight loss after another 6 months. The diet and fitness group lost 7% and kept 6.9% off. The no intervention group gained 1.5% of their original body weight. But, the vibration group dropped 11% and maintained 10.5%.
In total, the vibrators lost 47.8 square centimeters of visceral fat during the six-month study, and still had a loss of 47.7 centimeters after 12 months – significantly more than the other three groups.
Vibration Training Safety
I’m also concerned about the potential for injury – especially in the hands of an inexperienced trainer or operator.
A staff writer for Diet-Blog, did VT training for 6 months while researching this new exercise form. He began to develop some numbness in his hands from doing the upper body exercises. It cleared up after he went back to traditional weight training.
Has anyone had experience with Whole Body Vibration training?
I just bought mine so don’t know results yet but just FYI. I bought mine on Anazon.com for $230.00. There are also some on EBay.
I own a Turbosonic and have used it for about three years now. I use it twice a day for ten minutes each. I just love this machine! I am 69 y.o. and have never felt this fit. I eat healthy, hike and do Pilates. So, a part of my well being is due to Whole Body Vibartion, I’m guessing. I’m sleeping better, my bones are strong and I’ve lost weight. Most importantly, WBV is excellent for the lymphatic system – something that hasn’t been addressed here much.
If anyone tells you that just standing there, putting in zero effort will help you lose weight or cellulite. They are LYING.
Stress poses must be held. So you do not have to move, but the poses are hard to hold.
Sorry, no effort = no results.
TurboSonic and VibraSlim are both guilty of perpetuating myths about Vibration Training, hence taking away peoples chances of getting real results.
try telling me that when i did no exercises and cannot exercise because my bones are just too brittle, i did not diet whatsoever and all i did was use powerplate vibrator for 12 months and i lost a stone, when not on it i was bed ridden, so explain that one away
yeah you go girl you are right
never mine those and there freckon studies aye
bull shet!
Hi. I’m not sure how old your ad is for your Euro Body Shaper. Is it still for sale? I’m very interested.
Thanks,
Audra
Which model VBS? Why are you getting rid of it?
I have a VibaBody Slimmer 2500 for sale. Retails $2,700, I’m selling mine for $600. Of course that would be your responsiblity to get it shipped to you. Great deal. Selling due to illness. I’m in Texas.
I’ve been using the Vibroslim commercial unit 3 times a week, 3 x 1 hour sessions of cardio a week and a healthy diet. I am a 23yo female starting weight: 115kg. Current weight after 4 months: 97kg. I have lost 13cm off my waist.
I am now purchasing my own unit to continue my weight loss journey at home. Good luck to anyone starting their own.
Does anyone know which speed to use?
Hey, I’ve got 2 for sale (long story), but I have a Euro Body Shaper and a Viba Body Slimmer. Interested send me an email. Euro Body Shaper is $800 & Viba Body Slimmer is $1200. Both great condition.
Hey, I’ve got 2 for sale (long story), but I have a Euro Body Shaper and a Viba Body Slimmer. Interested send me an email. Euro Body Shaper is $800 & Viba Body Slimmer is $1200. Both great condition.
i have lost 2 dress sizes in under 3 months on the vibration platform.. i have been on a diet as well as a bit of walking 30 mins a day.. i’ve been getting heaps of compliments on how much weight that i lost..and that is always a good thing.. although i still need to lose about 10-15 kilos I can proudly say that in the last 6 months ive already lost 20 kgs..but not all of it was from the vibration platform..i only bought it 3 months ago.. and i can buy clothes from anywhere that i want so thats a major plus.. so yeah this machine works
Sherrill Graff from Boulder City Nevada has been using the turbosonic with her regular diet and exercise program for 1 month. ” I love the idea of burning more calories without any additional physical effort. When I first started I could feel that my muscles were tired after only 10 min set on hilo intensity but after a week my muscles got used to the vibrations. Now I use it for 10 min on 95% intensity. My muscles feel more firm and I have lost 15 lbs so far. I do watch what I eat, 1000-1500 calories etch day. I also take a water aerobic class 4 days etch week. Go try it out FREE once and see how you like it. Our machine is at paradise tans in Boulder City, please tell the owners I sent you. “
Wow, that is very mean. Just because you don’t agree with her comment does not mean you should be nasty.
A change in eating habbits and more physical activity is the only way to lose weight.
you are my name you feminist carpet muncher
Here’s a 2007 article on mice losing weight and gaining bone density on such a machine. Search the NYTimes archives for the article “Low Buzz May Give Mice Better Bones and Less Fat” – but it’s not a “may” situation when you read the article. Here’s a quote: “The mice stand there for 15 minutes a day, five days a week. Afterward, they have 27 percent less fat than mice that did not stand on the platform — and correspondingly more bone”. They just don’t know if this result will apply to humans – at least in 2007 when the article came out. Interesting to say the least.
Have u lost any weight, Rachel??
How can you suggest that a study done on 3 young men relates to a female? You are condemning what she discovered by using facts which are useless to her. You don’t know if she is 25 or 55 yrs of age. All you know is that she is female. Female bodies do not respond the way male bodies do and a young body reacts differently hat an older one.
Find a study that uses a significant number of women – in an appropriate age group – and then use that to disprove what she has discovered.
I purchased the crazy fit vibration machine about a year ago. Since using it I have noticed that my cellulite has dissapeared and I think its just great. I use it about 2-3 times a day (10 mins each time) whilst watching tv at night and you notice the difference. It tones your body. If you want to target areas like your arms I hold a tin can in each hand and that seems to do a pretty good job. There seems to be some talk about the cheaper models being flimsy but mine has lasted and has suited me very well. I am a poor uni student so unfortunatly the cheaper model was all i could afford. I was very skeptical about trying it as it doesnt feel like your doing anything but over time I hav developed some different positions and exercises that I do on the machine to taregt the different areas.
I feel that there must be a catch somewhere if this machine does indeed help with weight loss. It sounds too good to be true and how long lasting can any gain without pain be?
Does this need to be combined with some aerobic activity as well?
Hi Karen have you lost any weight yet?
I just bought the forever young brand name machine it cost me $2100 Canadian dollars. I have been using this machine for 20 min’s daily (three days) I don’t see any change in weight yet but I definitely see my muscles getting tighten. I also feel more energetic and my skin also feels shiny and healthy. I definitely feel more energetic and this machine is very good for me as it gives me relief from back pain which I get by sitting nine hours at my work,,,,I was always worried about my weight everyday but now I Think I can stay lean and healthy for rest of my life, I hope I will loose weight in future
It’s good to see this thread still running. Anyone interested in reading articles with lots of info on what type of machine to buy for home use, what type of machine to use for disability or health issues or weight-loss, what type of machine to use for muscle gain, or for general fitness gains? http://www.vibration-training-advice.com has all this information and does not sell machines, just free info. There’s also a forum if you have questions after reading the articles.