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Vibration Plate
Vibrating machines and how to buy them
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In Europe, they've been feeling good vibrations for decades. Now vibration therapy is making inroads in the U.S. Professional sports teams were among the first to embrace the technology
Hollywood has jumped on the bandwagon, with celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson reportedly using another machine, the VibraSlim, with such stars as Jennifer Lopez and Avril Lavigne.
Studies show the many benefits of vibration technology, from stimulating blood circulation to improving muscle strength and bone density.




According to Chantal Vella, an exercise physiologist and
associate scientist in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of New Mexico, "It requires relatively little exertion compared with traditional forms of exercise; yet studies comparing this training method to traditional strength training have found similar gains in strength and, in some cases, more gains in explosive power."



About Vibrating Exercise Fitness Machines
These vibration machines allow you to exercise vertically on a vibrating platform (the intensity can be adjusted to suit). The theory is that when the body senses instability (in this case the vibration) the muscles involuntarily contract and stretch to compensate.  

People who use these special vibrating platforms while lifting weights are able to "strengthen and tone" as well -- if not better -- than traditional strength training "in just 10 minutes a day, three days a week," according to the companies that promote vibration equipment. Vibrating equipment ranges from $10,000 for equipment like VibroGym made in Europe to $1699 for the VibraSlim Whole Body Vibration Platform from the USA. 

WBV is low-impact, which makes it particularly good for older or obese people who find traditional strength training difficult. The most encouraging research studies have found WBV to be effective in increasing bone mineral density in post-menopausal women. Since women in this group are particularly susceptible to osteoporosis, this is exciting news.

"The bone benefits are established," says Dr. Aurelia Nattiv, a professor of sports medicine and team physician at University of California, Los Angeles.

Other research is equally positive, finding vibration training is an effective nonpharmaceutical form of therapy that eases pain in the lower back, helps stroke victims and could lead to greater improvements in the circulation system than conventional therapies. It might help lower blood pressure, too.


Developed by Nasa to help stop astronauts losing muscle in space, the technology has been adapted by fitness companies to create machines that claim to shake your body into a buffed and primed state, with high amplitude vibrations forcing muscles to contract when they come into contact with vibrating plates.


Dr. Angus Hunter, an expert in exercise physiology and sports studies at the University of Stirling, said: "We have some teams at the university using these machines both some of our own teams and some professional ones, including the Scotland rugby team and Falkirk football club.
 
Short bursts of low intensity vibration can prevent stem cells from turning into fat cells in mice, according to a study released Monday. The findings suggest that burning or metabolizing calories by vigorous exercise is not the only way to fend off weight gain -- at least in the young. Mechanical vibration stimulation may prevent fat accumulating in the first place by influencing the development of immature or progenitor cells so that they become muscle or bone cells rather than fat cells.
 
Superstar singer Madonna was one of the first celebrities to try out the state-of-the-art equipment, but with a original price tag of around $10,000 the vibrating exercise machine has been too expensive for most of the public. Now there are more affordable options.