Such a shame so much dishonestly out there.  

Next up.....  A whole paragraph on how to stand properly on these miracle benefits.  ( only standing positions mentioned , no squats.    

Hey Lloyd,

About your question of who is doing shows that may be saying this…

We do heaps of shows as you know, but if they are asking about us, no one leaves our stand having “just stood” at an expo.

We have a pretty full on demo and focus a lot more on joint and spinal health and have people leaving our stand and going to the organizers to say how much they enjoyed it.

One machine doing a tonne of shows is a show TV company and they sell a “Healthstation” vibration machine.  It is pivotal, has a pretty “fancy” touch screen.

We have had a couple of run ins with them about what they say.  Their most recent machine is a little better than their originals, but they vary which one they are showing at any given show.  The company also sells mops and things like speakers, pots and pans, shammys etc…

I think that says it all about where their head is at with the vibration machines they have.  It is just another product in their long list of products – and the guys on the stand are on commission only...

If that helps you imagine where their headspace is at when they are selling.

We see Gravityhq very differently. We are here to promote the health potential of whole body vibration and have the knowledge on how to do so.  It is never “just a sale” with us and we would never jeopardize our reputation by passing on false information for a quick sale!

Cheers

Dhyana

gravityhq.co.nz 

Because that is what we still hear coming out of these expo shows. We are left to inform them they have been lied to by scammers.

Do you know who the culprit is ?
  

Hi Lloyd,

There has been a lot of damage done by these companies touting their low end machines being able to create weight bearing muscle contractions at all let alone creating a full body workout in a “just standing” position.

Anybody selling a machine to people who want a total body (weight bearing) workout MUST include not only high enough speeds etc. on their machines(not just a number on the screen), but ALSO functional movement (static or dynamic).

The bodies seen in “those” videos cannot possibly have been created by “just standing”- their arm muscle alone should show that to even the most undiscerning customer.  No Arm, shoulder, chest or upper back muscle is activated in the standing position, so NO tone in those areas will happen  AT ALL WITHOUT PLACING YOUR ARMS OR HANDS ON THE PLATE! (LINEAR OR PIVOTAL)

AND, even with my terrific Gravity Revolution, I KNOW, full well the value of standing alone is limited, muscle will tone posturally, but fat burn is limited if you will not add the correct movement.

Just standing is a PART of a process, (important yes) but is not the whole picture.

Please understand this anyone looking at vibration.

Cheers

Dhyana

www.gravityhq.co.nz  

So you completely agree that thoseTV adverts or a salesperson telling anyone "just standing" on the machine for 10 mins, gives the equivalent of a 1 hour weight training or load bearing workout ..... is highly misleading and damages the industry.

qravityhq/Dhyana

Thanks for that.  That makes it much easier for people reading this forum who are thinking about buying a machine or training in a studio setting (and clarifies it for me too).  People who want to buy a high speed (high quality) pivotal machine (Gravity Revolution) for home use (or small business like beauty salon or physio) can contact you – google your name “gravityhq”.

And I have to say here that another high speed (high quality) pivotal machine I personally recommend for home users (both training and therapy/rehab) and small business use is the Cardiotech - CV9 – again readers can use google.

Both machines are available in New Zealand and Australia (and some other countries also. CV9 is available in Canada). Links to both businesses are at the bottom of the Home Page

NOTE: We do not use this forum for advertising BUT we have industry recommendations and both these machines Gravity Revolution and Cardiotech CV9 are recommended. For lineal training in Studios and fitness centres with full supervision – Vibra-Train is the recommended provider.

Hi Di,

Every single customer gets the starter kit for vibration training.

The first 3 weeks program is written specifically with speed (hz) and movement (exercise) instruction.

It is designed for waking up the core muscles, assisting hip balance and getting the thighs ready for further harder work down the track. (Pelvic tilts, hip hitches, squats, standing)

It is really good for beginning to correct poor posture and to get used to the higher speeds in shorter bursts.

The movements described are done slowly (this is the dynamic part), and held for a few moments either at the top or the bottom of the movement range.(this is static) 

We encourage people to focus on form not speed, which of course reduces the likelihood of hurting yourself.

The other thing that is advised is to listen to your body.  If your knees are so bad that you can’t bend them to 90degrees, then bend as far as you can without pain, hold that spot for 30 seconds and then move out of the position. And repeat. 

As muscle builds just above the “pain” red flag, you will find that the knees can cope with a little lower each time, and eventually we get the full range of motion back.  It is advised to be done over time.

Like you said, if it hurts, you generally learn from that and don’t do that position again until a test and measure tells you that you can.

The package includes a poster with a choice of exercises that cover all major parts of the body for movement, posture and strength. (Including squats, lunges, Pushups, triceps and more…) they are simple and uncomplicated on purpose.

People are encouraged to pick three poses per session and can use either static/held positions or add (slow) but dynamic movement.  I do recommend though, that static position is used first for ALL arm activities, and functional movement added carefully and slowly to avoid pain in the neck and head.

HOWEVER – some people already accustomed to vibration training, will run a similar program to what Lloyd has set up, but slowly add the movement over time.

Actually it is always fascinating to watch people change from Linear to pivotal, or pivotal to linear, it really makes them realize how different the two systems are, and that they should be treated differently in  training.

The poster also includes a range of necessary speeds for certain results and the correct “how to stand” position instruction.

ALSO in the package – is the physio site.  You know the one.  Jasper has a terrific range of articles, videos and instruction on his site and everyone gets access to this as well for furthering their knowledge.

AND NOW – we are setting up a monthly reminder for all customers focussing on technique, specific needs, as well as keep on coming back to basics information.

That is our simple support system, and for anyone wanting personal training support, they get access to me for free programs via email as they develop.

Again, we are not saying that just standing at the higher speeds will give someone everything that they need for weight loss, but it does start everything physically in the right direction – and if lazy is a problem for an individual – even in the healthish 30year range – then at least use a machine that can work on some levels just standing and not just a lower speed wobble.  We have to be realistic with the output that at least 30% of the population are prepared to give, and help them start from there.

Our catch phrase is “movement is everything” and our goal to help people keep moving at EVERY AGE and ability.  We focus heavily on helping people with health or joint issues that stop them doing “normal” exercise and adapt programs for people accordingly.  And this includes the fatloss, the All over tone workout I send out is more for fatloss and includes a range of 5 movements that cover the entire body, like Lloyds does.

So I hope that gives you a better feel for what we are promoting and encouraging with the exercises.

Cheers

Dhyana

Gravityhq.co.nz

thanks for the advice lloyd,

I will do my bit and keep posting supportive advice for customers, covering off on issues at hand.

My way of "fighting" is to keep focussing on the positives of what the real vibration training world is about, and helping people see the value there.  And then I repeat the basics over and over until no one is listening to the idiots and false information anymore, because their knowledge will be greater now…

With you doing your way and us doing ours, and other genuine manufacturers coming on board we will eventually win out.

J

Hi vibration world,

I have to stress this point…

At Gravityhq, we do not call standing upright at higher speeds “full training” as Di stated below.

“Or if using GravityHQ’s program standing upright at higher speeds is used as full training if that’s what you prefer (rather than the effort of following a set of positions)

What is suggested in my posts is that it is great ways to start for people who are not as committed as others or who have reasons for not being able to add in the movements suggested.  Over time what happens in the higher speeds when “Just standing”, is that things change, and more often than not the body asks for “more”

That is the best time to add in either the added movement designed for your specific joint or rehab needs or fitness, or to add in the more fat burning compound moves and or held positions.

Every post I have written has encouraged “the effort” (as you say it) of movement and functional positions when wanting real long term strength and fatloss results.  Having said that, if you have purchased for home, rather than fighting your psyche, if all you can commit to is standing – than start there.  At the higher speeds, it is at least a great beginning.

Up at speeds near or above 17 Hz you are still changing muscle (it is still activating that fast per second,) helping circulation, balance, bone density, and so on, and you will feel great! 

Feeling great leads to doing more….start where you are at, enjoy that, and move forward to do more when you are ready.

At Gravityhq we supply a set beginners program to follow for 3 weeks, a chart of set and hold moves and on top of that personal support for the more specific needs in programs designed via email to customers who share their focus and needs with us.

Movement is encouraged more in our style of vibration training in order to become much more specific to personalized needs.  Slowly moving through a full range of a squat with good form and control, will do more for helping knee back to correct function, than a just set and hold. – but this is a whole discussion on rehab, joint movement and exercise purpose.

Just standing, OR moving through poses, OR holding them static, all have their purpose on a pivotal vibration machine, no one is “better”.  It totally depends on what result you are going for, and very importantly what state your body is currently in.

We like to focus on functional body movement and health first, (and fat loss usually follows this) and change the focus to fat loss and other specific goals later.

And that is why we encourage our customers to use the online physio designed exercise support, or our personalized training email support to help get specific results for specific needs.

Note// not everyone with the same issue is capable of the same activities, so be flexible in your approach to any training or rehab.

So we all agree - pivotal or linear, use the help provided and training advice supplied, and then watch yourself get better results.

We all agree on that point

Oh, And the point that some advertisements should be banned.  its embarrasing for us as an industry that they are allowed to continue...

Happy vibrating

Dhyana

Gravityhq.co.nz

Dhyana/GravityHQ

Please clarify the program you most often give to “regular” users when they buy the GravityHQ ?

I’m confused as you say Standing Upright at 17+ Hz is a full program for some but of course, you add in squats (moving up and down – squat to standing – is this correct?), and push-ups (are these also dynamic?), also lunges (dynamic?) .  

I’d like to know what series of positions or program you give buyers?  Please don’t say everyone is different as I’m asking the program for the regular, healthy, 30 year old.  Do you use any static poses apart from standing upright?

Note: My comments/questions are never intended as a personal attack. That’s not my style.  I don’t care what system (machine, program, studio or home use) is used as long as it is safe and effective.  Promoting “stand upright”, no effort required - lose fat and get fit position has, as Lloyd explained, been the worst enemy of our industry and made us a laughing stock within the fitness world. More than anything else this lazy, watch TV and wobble has done harm and delivered little. So to see you promoting this as a valid use of high speed (quality) machines like Gravity HQ makes me cringe. I think you will have a huge job convincing the public that the subtle differences in your machine make this a viable way to use it.

For the benefit of readers who are new to this forum and looking to purchase a home vibration machine or want to find a training centre – please look at this explanation page showing the different types of machine (with pictures so you can’t be confused).

http://www.vibration-training-advice.com/consumer-guide-and-safety-program/machine-reviews

It’s important to note that this current discussion and explanation of the use of vibration machines is about 2 very different types – at top quality both give great results for training and/or therapy.

Important points to note:

1.      NEVER Stand fully upright on a Lineal Vibration Machine – it’s simply not how you use it! and can bring about instant headache or uncomfortable feeling in head and spine. Many regular users have been caught out and not got into a squat position fast enough. You only ever do that once, it just feels uncomfortable.  Lineal machines move the user up and down a small distance, often around 4mm, very rapidly making the targeted muscles work hard and grow strong in response. 
Ignore any scaremongering you might read or be told that standing on these machines gives brain damage – it doesn’t and as I said you don’t stand upright on it anyway. This sort of scare tactic is used by  unprincipled marketers and is a total exaggeration based on the uncomfortable head feeling if you are stupid enough to stand upright, plus a flawed study involving monkeys strapped to machines.

       Small home user lineal platforms are useful for stimulation only, not real fitness. Generally you cannot use a high speed lineal (quality) machine in your home. Read this:

http://www.vibration-training-advice.com/consumer-guide-and-safety-program/articles-21---30/your-home-machine-and-your-neighbours

2.      Contrast the above with using a Pivotal Vibration Machine (GravityHQ, Cardiotech CV9 and others) – These machines move you up and down, from side to side a bit like a sideways see-saw. Your first position is often just standing upright on the machine at low speed (or higher speeds if you are following the GravityHQ program).  This position improves blood circulation, proprioception/balance, and a whole lot more.  Or if using GravityHQ’s program standing upright at higher speeds is used as full training if that’s what you prefer (rather than the effort of following a set of positions) and it’s also used as a leaner for the rest of their program, moving squats and more.

3.       Faster is NOT better. Using the machine with a recommended program is!
Remember the two types of machines most commonly used – lineal and pivotal work in very different ways. Lineal use speeds/frequency of up to 50Hz (50 times a second).  Pivotal use speeds up to 30Hz and usually used well below that. Different modes of operation = different speeds for similar type results. 

Cheap pivotal machines (crazyfit, vibromax and similar) advertise speeds/settings of up to 50 – This is nonsense and you can be sure that any inexpensive pivotal machine that advertises this way really has a true, measured speed of around 12Hz – good for relaxation,  circulation, gentle massage and stimulation, not fitness training or fat-loss.

4.       Movement on Vibration Machines – is usually only done on Pivotal Machines. Things like moving up and down in a squat position or push-up. On Pivotal machines movement adds to the work the machine does and can improve results but it’s not strictly necessary if using a recommended program.  Contrast, on lineal machines you hold the position (squat etc) and the machine supplies the movement, up and down rapidly so the muscles contract and release. On high energy lineal machines movement raises heart rate and increases training risks. It is never done in reputable studios that have high energy lineal machines (rare exceptions are athletes at Olympic level).

Some Fitness Centres that have PowerPlate (brand) and similar lineal machines do use a program that includes movement. With these lower intensity (medium energy) lineal machines movement is used to make up what the machine simply cannot do, so there’s a lot of jumping around, boxing practice, dancing etc on the machine platform. But movement also break the intensity and length of muscle contraction so It’s not pure, lineal vibration training! 

There are other differences in machine types and uses but in relation to the current discussion these are the important ones.

And a similar advert has been playing on the shopping channel recently.  

Wow,

Lloyd we just forced ourselves to watch the entire Utube video add – if it wasn’t so serious it would be funny…

This Type of over the Top advertising really confuses the consumer and makes our job as health professionals a lot harder, that’s for sure.

I am going to take 3 major points about pivotal training from the half-truths that are riddled throughout that advertorial Lloyd mentioned. (Otherwise I will be here all night)

1.       If a pivotal machine says it goes any higher than 30 Hz – you can be pretty sure it is not a true pivotal vibration training machine.   On a True Pivotal vibration machine, the contractions of muscle per second are limited to around 27.  Human muscle cannot contract at the depth required on a correct amplitude machine any faster than that, so a machine saying that it goes to 50 is not probable!  Your feet would slide off the plate, and you would be extraordinarily uncomfortable!  Really, really uncomfortable. 

When developing our Gravity Revolution, we researched so many factories and no joke, most of them asked “what number would you like the screen to go up to?  30? 60? 90?”  This is because the numbers on the screen had no relevance to the actual speed of the plate.  Most plates of the “shopping channel type of machine” pivot at such shallow amplitude muscle never actually responds with the stretch reflex anyway rendering it into a lovely fast massage machine, not a training tool.

Simple logic will tell you that wobbling (no matter how fast) does not tone or strengthen muscle, but it does feel nice, like a massage.  And even for rehab situations, a massage is a Band-Aid, not a solution.

Without using muscle guys, you are not burning fat.  It’s not a complicated concept.

2.       “You don’t have to do anything and the fat melts away”  J The closest you can come to this is having a machine like the Revolution and standing (contrary to some opinions this is doable by most people and can be worked up to by others) at 17Hz or higher. Starting your first 3 weeks like this will get your body ready for the changes to come when you add movement.  In that beginning time, you will notice some changes in your body, however if you do not add your squats and lunges and good old fashioned compound movements your body will not be getting what it needs to be considered true exercise.  These types of functional movements are at the basis of every type of training (even just getting out of a chair or off the loo!) and while they are easier on a vibration training platform, and get results so much faster than doing them on their own, they still have to be done. 

The body responds at a much higher rate of adaption to a squat done on a correct vibration machine at the RIGHT SPEED than one done on its own – at true 17hz your thighs and core and lower back and glutes will react to the squat contractions 17 times each second.  Still fantastic, don’t you agree, and a little more realistic than just standing and wobbling it away.

3.       “just standing will tone my whole Body”  OMG.  Let me ask you this…HOW???  If you are standing on a plate and your chest and shoulders and arms muscles and not contracting (and if you are just standing, believe me, with or without the right speeds they are NOT) Then  how can you tone and train your arms.  I will repeat, a wobble is not a toning effect, and won’t get a strengthening result either.

JUST STANDING, CANNOT TONE YOUR ARMS, CHEST OR SHOULDERS.  Only by using functional movement on the plate at the right speed will change these muscles.

  Keep it simple everyone.  Unless demand is placed on a muscle, it will not adapt.  It doesn’t need to because the situation has not been requested physically.  But ask for a contraction (push-up position is good for the arms, and chest) and that demand requires a new “supply”.

It is the simple, “Demand and Supply” principle.  If you don’t demand it your body won’t supply it.

With the right speed and amplitude in a pivotal machine, you can correctly and safely demand a multitude of contractions per second (must be over 12 Hz to get this*) and then by adding speed, add the load needed for strength.

THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER INCORRECT STATEMENTS IN THAT YouTube LINK THAT I THINK I SHOULD BREAK IT UP INTO DIFFERENT POSTS.

I don’t want to overload and I always talk so much….

Happy vibrating

Dhyana

Gravityhq.co.nz  

*if just balance in the arms and chest is all that is needed then don’t go over 12, however, for strength building higher speeds are more beneficial.  (Lloyd and I differ in that opinion for upper body)

Another article written by a pretend Vibration Training expert...
 
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-05-vibration-relief-fibromyalgia.html
 

Once again another moron fails to to differentiate between  Vibration Training and Therapy . Calling everything done on the machine, no matter what pose or what machine ,  " Vibration Exercise "

Too late. They sold out. Another great idea destroyed by marketers.

This has been watched by Millions of people. Only your best efforts can possibly fix the damage that has been done.

Hi everyone in vibration world,

Dhyana here from Gravityhq,

I had to sit quietly with my purpose for being in this industry before responding to Di’s words about me, particularly the below cut and paste from her post.

You are quoting client’s experience that I consider are the extremes – the few, not the many. I could do this with my marathon running expertise, the 72 year old that beats all the young ones (he’s trained all his life and is usually a farmer who does physical work 7 days a week)

On record – I do not consider your recommendations for pivotal training – up to 17-25Hz standing upright (and for 70-95 year olds) – to be safe, effective training.  I take your statement to mean  static, lock legged or minorly knee relaxed – not a squat in any form and no movement, as you use the word “ Stand

I was at first a little offended, and wanted to respond or ignore accordingly.  However as I contemplated, I remembered that my reason for building this machine with my partner was to help people reach a level of health and fitness that they may otherwise have never found possible.

I remembered that this has been a part of my purpose since I was 16 and started studying sport science at school, and no matter what I have done since personally or in business has been driven by this.  So when I re-thought over Di’s motivation, I have to assume she is coming from the same position. 

So even though I thoroughly disagree with the comments, and I will be addressing that momentarily, I can support hers and Lloyds journey because they are also doing their best to help people which is why they have such strong opinions.  It has not been an easy battle so well done guys on your support of the industry as a whole. 

BUT I do want you to understand that we are here to stay and to be a part of that industry.  We have a whole lot to offer in the pivotal vibration world and we have a passion that while not quite as outspoken as Lloyd’s (bless him) is matched in integrity and love of genuinely helping people.

SO about standing at 17hz – anyone reading Di’s comments on this, please re-read my whole posts before you pass judgement.  You will see a theme. 

·         Start where you are at… Build from there

·         While higher speeds are in the long run more effective for training and for rehab you may have to start lower and build up to it.  but by lower I mean over 12hz (anything under 12 is a lovely massage and nice for balance and mild circulation only – but massage doesn’t rebuild strength, joint function, help with tone or metabolism long term really, does it?)

·         Listen to your body – it never lies to you

·         Direct quote from my post “If you are serious about fat loss on vibration machines, get serious about doing more than just standing.”

·         Adding functional movement adds to the value of the vibration machine results

Etc…see the theme?

For most customers of Gravityhq Standing at 17 Hz or higher is not out of the norm at all.  Over 80% of people (and most of my peeps are over 50 with many over 70) I see are able to at least start at 17 for a couple of minutes, and then vary the speeds to make up the ten minutes.

Our plate movement is smoother even though it is dynamic, and to reduce intensity, feet are simply moved in closer together so muscle use can be maintained at the higher speeds, thus increasing the ability to stay longer at 17hz and gain the great results of that.

Over a period of weeks or months feet can be moved to hip width and will build to do their 10 minutes over 17 easily as their body adapts. 

This is what happens. Not a repetition of old data, but taken from real experience.

 Just because it is not how you have used it, or like it personally, does not make it that way for everyone.

I am all about functional, healthy bodies and would never do anything to jeopardize somebody’s health.  So of course we recommend movement on the machine for long term results (ask any of my customers) , however, in my experience, when a person is forced to fight their mindset at the start of a program of change physically, they tend to fall off the wagon more easily.

We encourage not to “fight” the simplicity that standing will help, but rather encourage people at least to begin something, and then lead to the “next step” which is where the real physical changes happen fast.

This “allows change” on more levels and doesn’t try force it.

“Movement is everything” is one of our company catch phrases, and over a hundred times a day at an expo I will repeat a version of the phrase “just standing will give you postural strength, tone and some balance, but if you want fat loss or functional movement increase, then you must add at least some squats.  Nothing but functional movement creates better functional movement so just do it”

Seriously, that’s what I say.

There is a purpose and function behind all of what I say, so that is why my blogs end up so long.  It really is time to put my manual of training together isn’t it…

Anyway, that’s my two bobs worth for this week

Happy vibrating and great results to all of you, no matter which style you do.

And Di and Lloyd, keep up the good work. Lloyd your chat helped me with some perspective of what we are here doing, and reminded me that many of us are really on the same team.

Cheers

Dhyana

By 2004 they knew the issue was serious. But instead of fixing the machines or even warning the public, researchers. They covered it up with intimidation, payoffs and legal threats.

Same story, different sellouts....

http://www.vibration-training-advice.com/consumer-guide-and-safety-program/articles-61---70/pilates-marketers-disaster

Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil is for cowards or conmen.  

http://www.vibration-training-advice.com/consumer-guide-and-safety-program/articles-51---60/infomercial-fitness-instructor-spills-the-beans

GarvityHQ/Dhyana

You are quoting client’s experience that I consider are the extremes – the few, not the many. I could do this with my marathon running expertise, the 72 year old that beats all the young ones (he’s trained all his life and is usually a farmer who does physical work 7 days a week)

On record – I do not consider your recommendations for pivotal training – up to 17-25Hz standing upright (and for 70-95 year olds) – to be safe, effective training.  I take your statement to mean  static, lock legged or minorly knee relaxed – not a squat in any form and no movement, as you use the word “ Stand”.

Also promoting weight-loss by just standing on a pivotal machine is, in my opinion, nonsense.

You might like to ask Galileo to tell you why they didn’t release the studies they did on this! And why, once they moved more into the health sector they quickly shut down all talk of fat loss/weight loss by standing up on the machines only.

Your colleague, Richie – is he part of the company that said people would get brain damage or death from training on lineal machines?  I don’t want to make a mistake so wont accuse, but I distrust anyone associated with that company.

We think we know who Richie is,  but please  if using a name as a reference for "expert" advice,  use a full name. 

This board is here for consumer trust. Full disclosure is the only way this can happen. 

This is described below in a statement from a colleague Ritchie 

.

Sorry but this goes against everything I preach about Vibration Trainiing and weight loss.

"10 minutes ....zero effort .....  fantastic results  "

“So what settings are safe and advisable to use on Pivotal Machines – “Lock legged” or “Just standing”???  Di Heap

Hey guys,

In response to Di’s question and her post in general: I certainly agree that clarification is needed on many areas of vibration training, and it is only in pivotal training that I claim any expertise in this area.

I have done a variety of work with clients as a trainer my own business, as a trainer for nurses and physios in aged care facilities (where the residents and clients aged anywhere from 70 to 95 can stand from 17-25 Hz on our machine safely and comfortably with amazing results)

I help teach Physios, Doctors and Chiropractors the application of pivotal vibration in their clinics with clients ranging from sports professionals to aged care.  I teach personal trainers how to use the machine in their studios and gyms.

And I do have a certificate, (the only one available) in pivotal vibration training.

Now I only say all of this, not to blow my own horn, but to assure the readers out there that I am by no means new to vibration training and my opinions on it are based on these years of experience in many and varied environments.

My background is health and my passion is sharing that.  This passion is what drove my partner and I to build the Gravity Revolution for you. 

Now I spend many of my weekends doing free demonstrations of our machine at home shows and also showing some simple and effective ways to use the machine to suit some very individual needs.

This is where most of you will meet me now, but only so I can spread into the homes of as many people as possible, this wonderful way of adding to the good health of some bodies that may have given up hope of ever exercising again.

So to address the question….

So what settings are safe and advisable to use on Pivotal machines.

(While we are talking sweeping statements I need to first remind everybody, that every person is different, and while over 80% of people I see can easily and comfortably do the following, some need to build up to it.

As I have said in other articles on this forum, START WHERE YOU ARE AT….however this doesn’t mean stop there.)

So in my experience, “Just standing” at 17 hz is not only safe, but highly recommended! (Especially on the “machine I use”)

Use it as a goal to achieve if your current ability cannot quite get there. And remember the following golden rules on pivotal.

·         If normal standing (feet under hips not shoulders) is uncomfortable, then narrow the stance bringing your feet together, this will ease the g’s effect on your body, but allow you to reach the higher speeds, inviting a much higher level of muscle proprioception than the lower speeds.  (it is not all about the G’s, but it is all about activating muscle at high rates)

·         If it hurts (sharp pain) for goodness sake, reduce the speed or do the above and move your feet closer!!! LISTEN TO YOUR BODY PEOPLE…. IT SAYS OUCH FOR A REASON  it may mean it is too fast right at the moment, but in a couple of weeks, try it again, I encourage you to explore this.  It is only by asking the body for more that it can respond to that new demand, and respond it will, in time, to any exercise, and in less time to correct vibration training.

·         Bend the knees a little if your upper back and neck are moving too intensely at the higher speeds.  (actually on our machine the higher speeds are smoother and much more therapeudic than the lower which we use for just massage and balance)  bending the knees does a multitude of things for you (and this point will answer the locked leg thing too…) ONE – it adds your knee and ankle joints as suspension to the movement, smoothing out the feeling in the neck and head. TWO – it is moving you in a direction of doing a squat. J  Always recommended for many reasons.  Though it may be just a gentle bend, it is a step in the right direction for what all bodies need – functional strong thighs, and mobile supported knees. THREE – when moving between the two (straight legged and bent) you allow the hips to adapt and the core to activate better which will support the change of the reason your head and neck may feel uncomfortable in the first place.

·         THE REASON for the above:  your hips, and the muscles in your lower back and across the top of the pelvic bone are too tight and your core may be not talking to you like it should.  This causes the movement to release up higher, when in fact that nice wobbly movement is meant to be absorbed by the hips.

This is described below in a statement from a colleague Ritchie.  Ritchie has a training studio and has been specializing in pivotal vibration in his training for a good six years. I asked him his opinion on the use of higher speeds at 17hz or above and he says:

“17hz standing to a half squat on a commercial tilting platform using a moderate amplitude , would be considered safe for the majority of users. In fact I use a much higher 26hz in my senior classes. Moving from a squat to strengthen the legs to a pause at the top to strengthen the core / pelvic area.  I have an 80!yr old that uses the 26hz protocol…”

We in the industry, in fact in any industry have varied opinions on different things.  And I just wanted to share mine with you.

Maybe you cant immediately cope with above 17hz, but it is a point to aim for, and when you get there, aim higher.  Because for the very reason this conversation arose on this site, you will actually be able to burn a little fat by just standing.

And my comment that Di pointed out “We all know the body burns fat better when your circulation, spinal structure and core support, lymph draining and muscle tone are improved and have seen over and over how “just standing” (at a high speed over 17 Hz) will help with all of these, without the EFFORT of mental concentration or drive, or the ability to squat low or do a pushup or the need”.

I still hold to this – I have seen it too often not to.

Cheers everyone and keep vibrating safely!

Dhyana

Gravityhq.co.nz