Are you looking for a form of exercise that is an effective complement to your existing regime? Vibration machines can be used to provide whole body vibration, which has a whole host of fitness and medical benefits. Read on to learn more.
What is Whole Body Vibration?
Whole body vibration first came about through the Russian Space Program, as Russian scientists discovered that their astronauts that spent extended amounts of time in space suffered from significant bone density loss and muscle tissue loss due to the lack of gravity. The scientists discovered that vibration machines increased bone density, strengthened the muscle tissue, and more.
How Do Vibration Machines Work?
Vibration machines vibrate 30 to 50 times a second. This transfers energy to the body, causing rapid muscle contractions. When the machine is set to the right frequency, the subconscious stretching that it causes will tighten nearly all of your muscles at the same time. As well as this, the machine also increases the production of regenerating and repairing hormones, improves circulation, strengthens bone tissue, improves lymph drainage, and increases the basal metabolic rate. All these effects result in:
- increased strength
- increased speed
- improved stamina
- rapid muscle and tissue recovery
- increased flexibility
- increased mobility
- increased coordination
- improved collagen formation
- fat reduction
- lower cortisol production (a stress hormone)
- lower amounts of cellulite
It is said that vibration machines only have to be used for between ten and fifteen minutes. You can stand on the machine passively, or you can perform exercises while on the machine.
Vibration Machines for Medical Conditions
Vibration machines can be used for treating medical conditions such as cerebral palsy, osteoporosis, chronic pain, and back injuries. They may also have beneficial effects for spinal injuries and multiple sclerosis. Vibration machines may have a use for people that are in pain (fibromyalgia as one example), as a way to exercise their muscles and feel better. It can also be used as part of a weight loss regimen, helping to stave off obesity-related diseases.
One of the major advantages of vibration machines is that they allow people to gain the benefits of exercise while staying within their limitations, perfect for people that suffer from debilitating medical conditions.
Using Vibration Machines Effectively
Vibration machines have also been touted as a means of achieving better fitness, as they can tone muscle, increase your flexibility and generally improve the look of your body in sessions of just over ten minutes. Some studies have shown that regular use of vibration training can increase muscle strength by 20 to 30 percent more than standard weightlifting in a fraction of the time. However, they are not designed to be a miracle worker. Vibration machines are recommended to be used with a healthy diet and an exercise program. They work best when they are a complement to your exercise program.
Originally published on Mar 17, 2009
