So we celebrate  report every time they have one less country to pray on.   

More news to come regarding an investigation into "innovation funding" given to HyperVibe by the Australian Govt. 

Some GOOD NEWS reporting

(newspapers are full of sad stories lately)

One of my clients is a 40 something lady who has muscular dystrophy. She has been coming in 2-3 times a week for several years now. Starting with a Therapy program she quickly progressed to the full training – IVTRB Safety Program, on our Vibra-Train lineal machines. I’m sure I’ve written previously about the good reports she’s had from her specialist physicians and how she now has better balance/proprioception and stands taller rather than stooping, and walks cleaner without tripping. It’s so good to see her continued progress.

Another client, a young lady, is wheelchair bound and unable to follow the standard program. Her condition is degenerating and we are working to improve circulation and strength.  Her wheelchair has a “stand-up” function so she is standing, using a low to the ground Pivotal vibration machine here 2-3 times a week which helps with circulation, bone density, small amount of muscle activation, and more. We are also using a therapy hold with vibrating handlebars of the Lineal Vibra-Train machines, helping her hands and fingers relax. This young lady has just completed a university degree course and I’m proud to know her.

To get here she usually has to come from the city university in her motorised wheelchair, a distance of 1-2km, in all weathers (I’ve had to dry her down several times this winter). On Monday she travelled alone (wheelchair bound) from her suburban home into the city by bus, then to the Vibra-Train studio, then repeat back home.

Yesterday her mother told me that the sessions make so much difference – when she comes regularly she does not get swollen, sore legs (with blue coloration) at night, and other fluid retention is resolved – we help her to pee! 

The CF Box right next door to me is not busy like it once was. I hope they manage to at least stabilize it before it goes back to being an indoor car park.

1. Putting my money where my mouth is.....  a $1000 bet with CrossFit 

http://therussells.crossfit.com/2014/05/31/why-erin-simmons-wants-you-to-know-she-doesnt-do-crossfit/comment-page-1/#comment-176

1. Lloyd Shaw

   I think it is Ok to love something and want to defend the idea of something. But at the same time be open to failings that might lead to a critical fail..Or leave you open to unnecessary attacks.

   Eg….. I was Power Plates Product Manager. But its lack of discipline in engineering ( quality fade ) and its anything goes policy it its studios. Made me walk away.

   I still LOVE Vibration Training to the core.

   Cant you Love CF but loath the undisciplined element and anything goes mentality of Cf Media .

   Eg……. I know some very overweight people that loved Zumba. But got badly injured doing it.

   So do you blame dancing or the music No. You blame the 4th rate trainers and the greedy marketers who are off selling something else right now.

   Reply
   • Russell Berger

     Lloyd, you are free to dislike whatever it is about CrossFit that upsets you.

     Reply
2. Lloyd Shaw

   I do not dislike CrossFit..

   I dislike lack of accountability.
   I dislike lack of foresight by leaders
   I dislike greed. .

   Because mark me, when thousands of boxes have closed in a few years time. And thousands of trainers are looking for work and wondering what the hell happened.

   Your “opinion” on the subject will be interesting to read about.

   Reply
   • Russell Berger

     Lloyd, be sure to screenshot this prophecy and email me when it happens. I’d hate it if you didn’t get credit.

     Reply
     • Maximus

       Lloyd, I would be glad to make a legally binding bet with you (I am glad to put the money in escrow if you will) for $1000 that in two years there will be at least 10,001 CrossFit Affiliates. I’ll even give you 2-1 if the number drops below 8000 as you suggest. I’m sure Dale will help us write up a contract and advise on how to do this.

       If you are not a big gambler we can make it for charity. I favor the Humane Society.

        
3. Lloyd Shaw

   I would be happy to do a bet. But on a much more directly measurable scale. That takes out the figures that can be artificially propped up by virgin territories ( to cover failings in pre-existing areas. )..

   Eg…. As Zumba collapsed in one country. It simply moved to another.I know someone who helped track this marketing trend as part of the team. It takes years to run that well dry.

   I propose this. …. We mark CrossFit affiliates numbers here in New Zealand. (As of this month … Mid July ) Affiliate Numbers are public and published so should be easy to agree upon. ( 105 as of today. But will get that clarified )

   In 2 years we come back. If the figures move up, by even one affiliate, you win the bet. $1000 USD

   If the figures move down, even one box, I win. ………… Nothing. As I do not want your money, or to even win. Give it to charity as you suggest.

   You game ?

   Reply
4. Lloyd Shaw

   And to clarify why my bet idea is more relevant….

   My only concern is for box operators .Grass roots industry level, where leases have to be paid and mouths to be feed. And the boxes need to be open to help fight Obesity.

   I have zero interest in betting with a global accounting / marketing company who think the above are just numbers on a balance sheet to be shuffled around.

Interesting artilce Lloyd.  The article does not mention the brand of vibration platform used or if the reliability of the platform was tested before doing the study.

John T. Weatherly

http://breakingmuscle.com/strength-conditioning/whole-body-vibration-training-works

I've taken the following from an article written by Lloyd Shaw (http://tinyurl.com/optimum-freq-lineal-2), it applies also to all marketers, sellers, and trainers/instructors.

“ A very sad fact in our industry ...

"Selling a machine and an idea to someone is easy; you only have to fool them once." 

But you try running a commercial studio, asking people to pay each visit, and you will soon find out the "practical truth" of Vibration Training very quickly. Which simply means people will vote with their wallets and not come back if something does not add up, feel right or give the results promised.  And I will tell you one thing for sure; no research paper is going to pay the rent. 

It would be wise to ask anybody out there giving advice to give you evidence of their own success, aka a successful Vibration Training location where they have had to make it in the real world, not just on paper,  hands on experience day after day with this technology and the general public. “

Marketers/Sellers might not have a specific studio location; although it’s the very best way to interact with customers and potential customers in my opinion, but if you plan to buy a home machine or even if you see a booth selling machines at the mall or home show, ask them … do they personally use the machines they are selling. Ask them to tell you about their program, any other training they are doing, and their results over whatever time period.  The moment they openly lie or exaggerate or pause and waffle on about nothing – walk away.  Do studio visits in the same manner; ask the trainers these same questions. Remember that small results can be valid and acceptable; blatant lies are never okay!

What amuses me is...

 The amount of bare faced liars who pretended to understand the importance of a strict solid commercial market. Telling me they respected my work, but going behind my back talking down what I build and do.
 

By operating out of fear of losing a sale, continuing with dodgy practices, and only looking after themselves.  All they did was essentially cut their own noses off and shorten their lifespan in the industry.
 

How the Canary in the mine now sings   ....

(1) Big solid , stable  machines. Good studios. Strict programs ( going strong. and about to get a lot bigger. In every respect )

(2) Lower quality machines in studios. Anything goes programs ( all broken / closed / as predicted )

(3)  Even lower quality devices sold online and at trade shows. Mostly sold with lies and scare mongering tactics to keep people away from any real experiences . 

Retail sales dropping quickly. Up against second hand units also sold with lies. It is now just a cess pit of dogs and fleas.

 

The Pivotal vibration machine industry is about to collapse - - just as Lloyd predicted.

A direct result of the lies and unsubstantiated promises made by sellers of all types of Pivotal  (from the $ cheap Crazyfit and not so cheap Vibromax, through to the quality, premium-speed machines)

The repeated re-sale of these machines has been so high it has killed the new pivotal machine market.   A quick look on New Zealand’s main auction/re-sale site, TradeMe, now shows only around 5 pivotal machines daily, almost all are re-sale (secondhand).  Import companies/marketers have given up trying to sell new pivotal machines.  When confronted with questions about the promises they were making when listing the machines they can’t reply.

We did a visit last weekend to many of the sports retailers who were selling machines. They’ve all stopped.  One commented they’d taken the remaining ones out of their stores as there’s no market for them now.

Add in the July, 2014 changes to the Fair Trading Act (New Zealand)  It will now be an offence for traders to make unsubstantiated representations without reasonable grounds. In other words, traders now need evidence to back up any claims made.. Individuals who repeatedly break the law will also face banning orders, which will prevent them from advertising for up to ten years.

Where does this leave the Vibration Training Industry??

The studio system where people receive supervised training is growing in strength and number of studios.  And where machines are available in smaller gyms and personal training studios they are doing well also.  These are almost always Lineal machines.  Machines (pivotal and lineal) are used by some therapists for treatments.  Very small therapy/circulation machines are being used by aged people, and others with limited mobility, for therapy and as long as proper instruction is given on the use of the machines (eg therapy – these are not workout models) they are well received. 

The real industry is very alive and very well!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2663889/Standing-three-hours-day-health-benefits-10-marathons-says-leading-doctor.html

Article fits in nicely with this old one about marketing myths and "traditional" exercise.

http://www.vibration-training-advice.com/consumer-guide-and-safety-program/articles-1---10/the-great-traditional-exercise-scam

Yes. Just standing around is exercise.

Translation.....   We don't care how many hundreds of people leave the stand with a completely unrealistic and unscientific impression of Vibration Training. ONLY when we get paid will we tell the whole truth.  

A long post – please read it through

1. This year I’ve had people again ask about losing weight (fat) by buying a “good” machine and Just Standing on it.  I’ve heard repeated the mantra – “10 minutes "standing" on this machine is equivalent to an hour at the gym”  ( emails from people asking advice plus people come into the studio to enquire, and my own clients ask questions).  When asked where they heard this the reply is – at the Home/Living Show,  at the Sports/Fitness Show,  and similar.  Comments from the people range from Very Interested through to Disbelief and Laughing.  I’m getting tired of going over this same ground that we thought we’d eliminated by our years of hard work educating the public. Last week I spent 30 minutes explaining about this to one of my newer clients who was very confused on the matter and on which type of machines do what.  In studio here she’s doing a full training program and wondered why a slightly different machine would be promoted to Just Stand Up to get the same (weight training equivalent) results.

2. In a .pdf marketing paper promoting vibration training at home I read, “ The G 'FORCE (ACCELERATION) THAT IS APPLIED TO THE MUSCLE IN THE HIGHER SPEEDS CREATES THE LOAD EFFECT OF INTENSE WEIGHT TRAINING. On the right machine even if you simply stand still at these speeds, your body will see change. How do you feel about having a stronger, leaner, and more active and flexible body? …imagine getting those results ten times faster, 10-15 minutes will give you the equivalent of an hour of weight training. “

THE INFO PAPER THEN GOES ON TO TEACH HOW TO STAND ON THE MACHINE CORRECTLY. It tells of speeds that are used for massage and mild exercise and then states that “above 17Hz Standing, is a workout for your body, 10  minutes = an hour. You wouldn’t weight train any one muscle group for more than an hour at a time so if 10 minutes = an hour, more is not better.”

-          People who buy these machines for home use are generally looking for fat loss and fitness so this paper, written to educate and then at the end advertising a brand of pivotal machine are clearly told that if they stand on the machine for 10 minutes upright at 17Hz or above they will achieve those results.

-          Marketers and demonstrators have copied from this paper and reproduced. The blind leading the blind (or lazy).

3. I watched a YouTube info-advert. The presenter clearly states that “just Standing on that machine for 10 minutes is equivalent to an hour’s gym weight training workout”.  No other positions are shown to the interviewer/enquirer.  

The interviewer/enquirer is told the credentials of the presenter, about the machine being specifically developed by the presenter and business partner and that their “point of difference” as well as the slightly bigger motor of their machine, is the support they offer.  The presenter talks of protocols and principles that must be adhered to get results, and that they offer these, both for physio and sport training.

The interviewer is then shown the machine and is shown standing upright on it. The next frames show the interviewer saying “wow” when the speed is increased.  

NOTE: the interviewer, a young, slim, healthy looking young lady is standing upright on the machine platform throughout the demonstration.

Transcript “What we’ve done is increased the speed to 15Hz and what’s happening to your body now, every muscle from here, from here down is contracting 15 times a second, that’s the beginning of exercise (NOTE person is just standing upright on the pivotal machine) , contractions mean work! We will increase the speed to add gravity, to add load bearing, which adds all the benefits load bearing exercise offers.  So things like bone density that are increased with weight training,

WE ARE OFFERING WEIGHT TRAINING HERE BY JUST STANDING, that’s the beauty, and in a matter of 10 minutes, we’re at 18Hz here, you are going to get the equivalent of the contractions and load you get in an hour of training, with the muscles below here (the presenter points from hips down legs toward knees and feet).”

The only slight difference in position shown at any time is at the end the interviewer leans forward onto the handlebars to support herself, then the presenter tells her to return to standing up, very slowly. It appears but is not stated that the speed has been increased – the interviewer/enquirer is, to all intents, just standing upright.

In the background of this presentation two other people can be seen – JUST STANDING – on machines while another salesperson talks to them. One is an older man, the other another young woman.

NO OTHER POSITIONS ARE SHOWN OR TALKED ABOUT to a young healthy enquirer.

While it is said that unique programs can be developed for the buyer there is nothing to suggest that there is anything else to offer except Standing.

-           LAZY, untrue MARKETING and highly detrimental to our industry. The sort we thought we had eliminated. We are extremely disappointed that this company has gone full circle with this and are presenting in this manner. No excuses or saying there are other programs or you can add movement change the facts – that’s NOT what the public is being told at shows and expo’s. Good machine but the brand is off my recommendation list.

(Full transcript available and link to the video for anyone who wants it)

Science and Honesty @ Work

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.