Lose Weight-Get Fit With Whole Body Vibration Exercise

Whole Body Vibration (WBV) fitness training has become an increasingly popular way of attaining fitness, functional training and rehabilitation. Vibration exercise is unique in that it works your muscles in ways that typical exercise cannot and also has been proven to have many therapeutic benefits, as well.

Whole body vibration technology actually originated with the Soviet Union’s Space Program, which helped pave the way for the current technology that is applied to the current fields of health and fitness and rehabilitation. Russian scientists discovered that cosmonauts who spent extended time in space experienced significant loss of bone density and muscle mass due to lack of gravity. In an effort to reduce this mineral bone loss, the Russian scientists and researchers began doing experiments with whole body vibration technology. Their results were staggering as they were able to not only prevent the loss of bone density and muscle mass but were actually able to increase bone density and strengthen and build muscle mass, as well! Using this new found technology and fitness training, the Russian astronauts were able to stay in space for extended periods of time without losing bone density or muscle mass.

NASA and the American space program adapted vibration technology with the same impressive results as the Russians. This was spurred on by the success that the Russians found with their experiments with vibration exercise. experiments with vibration exercise. Ultimately, fitness, wellness and healthy equipment manufacturers took this opportunity and developed ways to provide these same principles of vibration technology to the general public. Because more and more companies appearing on the market today are selling whole body vibration equipment, it has created much conflicting information, therefore making it extremely difficult for the lay public and consumers to know who and what to believe, concerning WBV machines.

Whole body vibration machines move in different planes and depending upon which plane the vibration plate or platform (and user) moves in, will determine the type of effects on the body. Essentially, there are two general planes that whole body vibration machines move in. The first is strictly up and down (also called lineal or vertical movement) and the second is called pivotal (see-saw or teeter-totter). Some companies actually have a third way of movement which is called elliptical (more horizontal and less vertical motion).

The vibration platforms on WBV’s are specifically calibrated to emit precise vibrations at a set amplitude (vertical displacement) and frequency (platform speed). When the user stands on the vibration plate, the vibration energy is transferred to the whole body. These vibrations generate involuntary contractions within the muscle fibers at several times per second. By adjusting either of the two variables (amplitude or frequency) you can affect the amount of times per second your muscles contract, the amount of G force exerted on your body, the degree of difficulty for stabilization, the detoxification effect, etc. Different frequencies will have different effects on our bodies. Depending on what effects you are hoping to benefit from, will determine what frequency you should run or program your machine to.

As a result of the vibration exercise, our bodies will adapt to the different stimuli and respond with several healthful benefits. These include: Increased bone mineral density Increased overall strength Increased flexibility Increased core strength Improved blood and lymph drainage (detoxification effect) Improved balance, stability and coordination Burn fat-weight loss Muscle relaxation Rehabilitation of injuries Joint mobilization Scar tissue healing Hormonal changes Neurological stimulation Increased mobility Decreased lower back pain Improved muscle tone

Most whole body vibration exercise sessions are designed for use in short sets of 15-180 seconds therefore an entire workout can consist of only 12-15 minutes actually spent on the platform (beginner). Performing these exercises three to five training sessions per week will yield incredible health and fitness benefits for users of all age groups.

The medical community has also embraced whole body vibration exercise as a safe therapeutic modality. Professional athletes are adding WBV exercises to their training regimens while gyms, spas and wellness clinics and even assisted living facilities have incorporated this technology into their programming and business models.

As discussed above, there are numerous companies in the marketplace selling whole body vibration products. Although most of the manufacturing is done overseas, there are several WBV companies that manufacture solely in the USA. WBV pricing ranges from $250-$15,000 depending upon the manufacturing standards and quality, features and the intended usage.

It’s this author’s opinion that the WBV’s under $1,000 are not really worth purchasing. Buy a home treadmill, instead! An entry level lineal WBV will cost just about $1,000. An entry level oscillating WBV will cost approximately $2,000. Most of the better home-light commercial WBV’s cost approximately $2,500-$3,000. Above $3,000, through $12,000, are light commercial to heavy duty commercial WBV units, usually intended for athletes, gyms, clinics or heavy traffic places that get frequent member or patient usage.

For more information concerning purchasing whole body vibration exercise equipment, please access: http://www.befullyfit.com/art-HyperVib.htm

Bruce Lipsky, MS has more than three decades of broad knowledge in fitness training. He has developed and managed fitness and wellness programming for fortune 500 companies and commercial fitness centers across the USA. Learn about which WBV company Bruce recommends