Whole Body Vibration Fitness Machines

Whole body vibration is a form of training and therapy used for a variety of health and fitness goals, from strength training and muscle toning to circulation or flexibility enhancement and rehabilitation.

WBV involves using a vibration machine that consists of a vibrating plate that moves up and down. Depending on the model, the machine can also have a tower or neck, and the platform can move vertically or like a see-saw.

When you stand on the vibrating machine, the platform moves upward and during this repetitive movement, it sends pulses of energy through your body. The intensity and frequency of these vibrations depend on the machine’s technical parameters and are controlled by you, via the platform’s control panel. The energy sent by the platform is absorbed by your tissues and converted to heat. Besides this effect, the vibration waves mobilize the joints and activate the muscles’ reflexes, causing the tissues to stretch and vibrate. The contractions of muscle fibers are like those caused by conventional strength exercises, and this is why WBV is considered a good alternative to regular strength training.

Given that the oscillating vibrating frequencies are applied to the entire body – skeleton, muscles, internal organs – and affect all systems, this form of physical activity has different effects at different vibrations intensities.

Yes, whole body vibration is proven to increase circulation and oxygen delivery to all tissues and organs and to help improve flexibility, balance, and coordination. It’s known to reduce stress on joints and strengthen muscles and bones, to help in blocking the accumulation of visceral fat, to support recovery from injuries and to increase the number of calories burnt during aerobic activities. At the same time, this form of training and therapy is proven to stimulate lymphatic drainage, reduce back pain, and regulate hormone levels.

As said, whole body vibration can strengthen the muscles and help you build a better shaped and toned body. It’s efficient in increasing calorie consumption, as it works similarly to weight-bearing exercises, and has been shown to help in improving body composition and the waist-to-hip ratio by helping one build lean mass and decrease their body fat percentage. Vibrating machine exercises improve speed and jump height in athletes, as well as the range of motion in joints.

Whole body vibration is not intended to be a replacement for cardio, and each of these forms of training has its benefits, so we can’t really say that one of them is better than the other. In theory, you could replace cardio training with WBV platform workouts if you exercise at high intensity and take short or no breaks between exercises, to keep the heart rate elevated, we recommend to keep cardio workouts in your daily routine and add vibration training for the strength-building component.

Yes, WBV provides many of the effects of strength training, so you can replace regular workouts with vibrating machine exercises if you prefer. Your muscles, including the heart muscle, will get stronger, your bone density will increase, and your flexibility and balance will improve as well. And the best part is that you can perform a wide range of exercises, from lunges, triceps dip and push-ups to planks, mountain climbers and step-ups.

Although WBV creates an effect similar to strength training, meaning that it places a load on muscles and bones and causes them to work against a resistance force, the reflexes are activated by vibration, and the muscle contractions are involuntary. Also, in vibration training you don’t have to lift weights, the machine makes your body feel heavier by increasing the gravitational force.

Whole body vibration is safe for most people and can be practiced by recreational and professional athletes, younger or older adults. This training and therapy solution is suitable for men and women alike.

The available studies indicate that vibration training and therapy are safe for both seniors and children, however, we encourage you to consult your physician before engaging in a WBV program. 

Many professional athletes use WBV for warm-up before training sessions, as well as for building muscles, increasing force, power and speed, increasing jump height, improving coordination and flexibility. It’s also a good solution for speeding up the recovery post workout or from an injury, and at lower frequencies a vibration machine can be used for massage and relaxation.

Yes, and I would say exactly because you don’t have much time for workouts, you should try whole body vibration. Vibrating plate workouts can be intense, and you can get the same benefits you would obtain from a longer strength training session in a shorter time because your muscles work harder, your heart rate is accelerated, your metabolic rate is enhanced.

WBV is ideal for the busy lifestyle, as you can practice 10-15 minutes of vibration exercises in the morning before going to work, and do another short session in the afternoon, to relax your muscles, invigorate your body and mind and improve circulation after a tiring day at work. You can even fit a WBV workout in the lunch break, but keep in mind that if you choose a high frequency and intensity, you will sweat and may feel tired after the workout.

There isn’t a “best time” for vibration machine exercises, so the best time is when you have the time to do these exercises with proper form, and for at least 10-15 minutes in a session. 

Yes, it’s actually recommended to practice both cardio and whole body vibration exercises. 

There are no indications that whole body vibration exercise performed on a high-quality unit does or does not present a risk of harm to pregnant women however as a precaution, we do not recommend that their machines be used during pregnancy.

Additionally the following conditions are contraindicated for WBV workouts:

• Epilepsy
• Some metal implants
• Gall or kidney stones
• Recent fractures
• Acute inflammatory conditions

If other concerns exist, we recommend you consult a health professional before using the machine.

Yes, you can safely train on a GForce whole body vibration machine if you have osteoporosis. Studies indicate that this form of training can help in increasing bone mineral density, especially in the hip and spine, so WBV may be a convenient solution for treating the symptoms of osteoporosis and strengthening your bones. 

Yes, vibrating platform exercises are excellent for strengthening the muscles, and the great thing is that you can start at lower intensities and increase the G-force and frequency as your body becomes stronger. It’s like lifting heavier weights, only that the risk of injury is lower, 

No, vibrating exercises won’t harm your joints.  Research suggests that this form of training is beneficial for warming the joints, mobilizing them and improving the range of motion, while reducing the pain caused by arthritis. 

It depends on the type of problem. If you have poor circulation and your hands and feet are cold, yes, it’s safe and recommended to use vibration plate exercises to increase blood flow to the problem areas. However, it may not be safe to use this form of workout if you have blood clots.

Whole body vibration by itself does not cause weight loss, but it can support your efforts if part of a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, and regular exercise. It’s been shown that vibrating exercises can prevent the accumulation of new fats, especially in the core area, and can help in improving the body composition by reducing the layer of fat and increasing

The answer depends on your exercise goal. If you want to relax your tight muscles and get a massage, or you’re recovering from an injury, or are just starting with vibration training, you may want to start at a lower frequency. If you exercise to tone up and strengthen your muscles and bones, you may want to use higher frequencies. Activating the muscles in the upper body requires lower frequencies, to avoid too much head vibration, while for the lower body higher values are generally used.

But the vibration frequency you should use also depends on your weight, fitness level, l, and overall health state. If you’re heavier you may want to use higher frequencies, and if you’re a professional athlete, you may be able to tolerate higher values from the beginning

G-force comes from gravity, the force that pulls you down to the Earth, keeping you stuck to the planet instead of floating off into space. Gravity is vital for health, this downward force stimulating your muscles, bones, nerves, cardiovascular and hormonal systems. In space, where the value of G-force is a lot lower (microgravity), astronauts experience a rapid decrease in muscle mass and strength, so it’s clear that all our body systems need to receive the stimulus that only gravity can provide to maintain health and function properly.

To change the G-force, you need to increase or decrease the frequency and change the position of your hands or feet on the platform. If you place them closer to the machine’s center, the amplitude and G-force will be lower, and if you place your feet or hands closer to the platform’s edges, the amplitude and G-force will increase. Obviously, higher frequencies lead to higher G-force values.