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Vibration Plate Exercise Machines
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Vibration plate exercise devices are finding their way into more and more gyms. What are they and do they work?.
Are these machines the equivalent of those electrode stimulus machines for abdominal development that were the rage several years ago (and which, by the way, did not work) or are they really a significant and valid advance in exercise science?
Bottom line, they look promising but the jury is still out.
"In a study presented at the European Congress on Obesity, scientists found that overweight or obese people who regularly used the equipment in combination with a calorie restricted diet were more successful at long-term weight loss and shedding the fat around their abdominal organs than those who combined dieting with a more conventional fitness routine.
"These machines are increasingly found in gyms across the industrialized world and have gathered a devoted following in some places, but there has not been any evidence that they help people lose weight. Our study, the first to investigate the effects of vibration in obese people, indicates it's a promising approach. It looks like these machines could be a useful addition to a weight control package," said the study's leader, Dirk Vissers, a physiotherapist at the Artesis University College and the University of Antwerp in Belgium.
"These are very encouraging results, but it doesn't mean people trying to lose weight can ditch aerobic exercise and jump on the vibration plate instead. They still need a healthy diet and aerobic exercise, but this could be a viable alternative to weight lifting," Vissers said, explaining that the plate works by making muscles rapidly contract, which builds lean muscle mass.
"People say vibration machines are fitness for lazy people. It may feel like a short cut, but if it's easy, you are not doing it properly," he (Dirk Vissers) added. "Supervision in the beginning is imperative and the longer the better. What we see in gyms very often - people just standing on the machine holding the handles - is not going to do anything.
Some studies failed to duplicate those done at the University of Antwerp and some seemed to validate them. The University of Washington did a study on sheep that validate this technology in regards to increasing bone density.
That said, based on what this examiner has researched, they are definitely worth a try for time challenged individuals and especially for those who may have low bone density or osteoporosis or have difficulty with balance
High quality machines cost several thousands of dollars so unless your wealthy you probably ought to let your health club provide the machines. Once definitive results are in, it might be worth purchasing one of these devices, especially if you fall into one of the risk groups mentioned above and if going to a gym is difficult or uncomfortable for you.
The following link provides access to additional studies on the effectiveness of vibration plate machines. Keep in mind the sponsor of this link makes the machines so be sure the referenced studies were done independently and not funded by Power Plate.
Power Plate Inc. provided vibration plate research
Reviews of popular vibration plate machines.
For more info: Contact Gordon at bodyarchitectsf@aol.com for more information on this or previous articles or call 415.307.0439 to schedule a complementary one hour workout. Also please visit Gordon's website.
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