Di Heap,

Thanks for all your advices. I haven't tried any lineal yet but will try to. I am in an area where there is very little or none vibration training. There are some machine in hospital which you cannot get access to and are more used for therapeutic usage. Though, I have contacted the rep. for Hypervibe and I can try it in Ottawa which is 1.5 hr drive from Montreal. Would this machine, which is pivotal be a good choice for my family ...question mark.. I was also told I could try a PowerVibe in my area. They have both pivotal and lineal models but I am unsure of the quality of their machines as they look to me more like the Chinese imports. Have you heard of them..

Thanks again.

Thanks Di, you preceeded me while I was still typing my answer :) 

Mike M.

I have never tried the Wave Contour Plus, so I must turn your question to Lloyd as he knows both machines very well and can give you a better feedback than me. About my workout, I kept strict poses through all the safety program and alternated low and high amplitude. A few times I repeated the program when I felt I needed it, but most of the times one round is good enough for me. It is incredible to notice that after the quite long period of constant training, now I get challenged even using the lowest frequencies even in low amplitude. The explosiveness that I gained is evident when I jump, because now I can do it quicker and stay longer in the air.   

Mike M

Any Vibration of the handlebars is transferred incidentally from the platform, it’s not deliberate like a Vibra-Train (the only machine in the world with side vibrating handlebars).

The VibroGym Professional is a higher energy platform than the Wave Contour Plus. But, what program are you using? Is it the IVTRB Safety Program or have you mixed it up with other poses? And are you consistent with your training and particular about “perfect position”?

Hi Lysanne

Have you tried a Lineal (upright) vibration machine?  - See if you can find a PowerPlate, VibroGym, BodyGreen, TrueVibe or similar (especially as you used to teach PhysEd  you’ll understand  the difference in pivotal and lineal machines).  Also trial a HyperVibe Pivotal machine if you can.

Only then can you decide which type you prefer and we can better advise you.

Your husband has a bad lower back? Anything specific wrong with it? He’s out of shape – is he overweight?  This also determines what machine you can buy as many machines seriously degrade in performance over 175lbs /80Kg (some at much less )

When you trial machines get them to write down the specs of the machine, ask yourself when you try it if they seem correct – your body doesn’t lie.  Also take your husband, it’s important he tries them too and that he is shown safe positions.

For your teens to build muscle strength you need a machine that has some real force. They’d be best with a lineal platform (VibroGym Professional or TrueVibe), in my opinion but your husband might be better with a pivotal machine.  We can help you with the program once you’ve decided on a machine.

Come back with any more questions when you are ready so we can make a shortlist

Franco, do you think the Vibrogym is enough the better machine than the Wave Contour Plus to explain the difference in your result and mine? I have been doing the same program for probably 3 months out of the 5 or so I've had the Wave but lately have cut back while the trigger point problem slowly subsides in my legs. But I have not noticed any gain in explosiveness or vertical lift at all.

Also I have noticed that the handle on the Wave vibrates somewhat. Is it anywhere close to what might be useful for the arms, or is it just incidental?

Hello Lloyd and all contributors.

This site has tons of valuable information. Thank you so much, it is very appreciated and can almost overwhelming at time.

As many before me, I would like to purchase a vibration machine. I live in Quebec, Canada where I have not yet found any studio nearby that offer vibration training. That said, I have tried a pivotal machine, the Viba, at a trade show and was immediatly taken by the sensation in my muscles and have been researching VT since. I have a hard time deciding if I should go with a pivotal or a lineal. My husband has a bad lower back and is somewhat out of shape. I have 2 teeangers eager to train and build muscle tone and as well as general fitness. I have osteoporosis and am in good physical shape looking for general good health, loose weight and improve bone density. I use to teach Phys Ed so following a good protocol of training is important to me.  My budget unfortunately is a max of 2000 dollars. Do you have any suggestions for me as most machines you recommend and I understand why, are all above what I can pay. 

Also, I have not seen any info concerning the new or maybe not...3 in 1 machine such as VMax Trio or the Vibra Trim VT400. I would like to know what you think of these since they both sell at 1999 dollars.

Any comments would really be appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Lloyd,

As I mentioned on my blog in response to your comment, to clarify, my post was by no means intended to market or sell the equipment I discussed. It was simply to give a review of a class I have been participating in. I am not an expert on vibration training and all information that I posted was based on what has been claimed by Flexi-Sports, the makers of the equipment I talked about. If you are concerned about false marketing claims, I would recommend getting in touch with them rather than accusing me of trying to pass "a stick"off as vibration training.

Great job Lloyd, you are in excellent shape!! I can't wait to see the results of your report.

I will look forward to the publication.  Dr. Bill Sands, who used to be with the USOC, had an interesting article published for the NSCA in their NSCA Connect email message.  The article is about how coaches argue over which program is best - their own or one designed by somebody else etc.  Sands even stated in the article there is a scarcity of evidence on transfer of training to actual sports performance for athletes.  If this is not evidence that so-called sports science basically does not exist - at least here in the U.S. - then I do not know what is.  Sands stated artificial lab and performance tests often have little or no relation to sports performance.  Since transfer of training to improved sports performance is the main thing for athletes - it is interesting to have a former USOC Sport Scientist write an article saying there is very little evidence for certain training programs having a high transfer to actual performance in sports.  Considering how many hours athletes train, the idea of training - I would hope - is that it will transfer to improved performance in the sport.  It leads me to wonder how inefficient many training programs could be for improving specific sports performance.  Improved sports performance is the best test.  The only way to test if vibration only training on high quality equipment improves sport performance would be to have athletes in a specific sport train with either vibration only and practice of their sport and compare it to another group that does conventional resistance training, plyos, etc  along with their sport practice.  Certain sports activities such as pitching a baseball do not require a lot of 1RM strength - a baseball only weighs 5-5 and a quarter ounces.  Perhaps baseball pitchers, for example, could save a lot of time by using vibration training - eliminating conventional resistance training - and just practicing the sport, concentrating on sleep and recovery etc.  Nobody really knows what is best for these types of athletes.  It is guessing as the Sands article more or less just came out and stated.

John T. Weatherly

Thanks again,

 Guess my choice will come down to affordability, back up support  and   good detailed guide on how to get the most  out the machine safely.    

Hi Lloyd,

Thanks for the link to the article. I have been reading the report available via Hypervibe and  found the referencing to  Hertz and  G  force  on the different machine helpful, but wasnt sure if   the report is a bit misleading. I noted on your website you have links to  Cardiotech , their commerical machine looks good but not sure how thier  VT12 compares.  A friend of mine has the commercial deluxe from Amazing super health , and enjoys this.  Your reinforecment on the importance of tecnique is much appreciated as this is true for any exercise or exercise machine. I am not really in a position to tray different models which makes choice difficult.

its great to know some one liek youreslf is  passionate about your business and the health  safety  and support  to  consumers 

HI,

 I know you cant recommend one brand against another. I  have narrowed my choice down between two machines. One has a lower amplitude of plate height movement  while the other has a higher plate  movement. Also the G force is different, the higher plate  movement   giving higher G force. I have a bad lower back and weak ankles , knees ,  so my question is.. which machine would cause the least amount of strain on my joints.  I am wanting the machine for toning, strength and enhance  my exercise  , I currently jog, run, circuit train, swim, yoga. I have read somewhere that the higher amount of plate of plate movement the more side to side movement to the joints thus potentially causing  damage, especially to knees and lower back area. Is this true. 

Is there a pose that I can use on the Wave to work the lats? How about the three deltoid heads and the rotator cuff?

The one I came up with for lats is, very similar to plank but on the knees, rest the forearms on the plate with the arms almost straight, head between the elbows, kind of looks like you're praying. Just wanted to see if that's ok and if there's another one.

Mike M

Yes, I found some info about your roller. I have something similar with rigid fingers.  I could never use it on Vibra-Train machines and wouldn’t need to.

Same advice – make sure you don’t get bruising. The other comments are general to your (and anyone else who reads this) training sessions.  Have you tried bare feet or socks on a mat?  – it’s quite different and forces your feet and legs to rebalance and stabilise. 

Di, I use it like a regular foam roller. When you foam roll, mostly you just roll over the roller with things like the legs and hips with your body weight. The roller presses into the muscle giving a massage. The Rumble Roller also has rubber "fingers" which are spaced about 2 inches apart and press into the muscle like the paired thumbs of a skilled masseuse. Adding the vibration to that by rolling over the Wave seems to speed up the process, at least to me. Hope that helps you picture what I'm talking about. Not a workout this time, but massage.

 Hi Dawn,

I understand your interest from a nursing perspective.  For me it started 3 ½ yrs ago with Lloyd’s website!  I would be happy to speak with you.  I have some research documents and experience with clients in a couple of the areas you were questioning.

Feel free to get in touch!

MikeM

The sounds interesting.  Watch for bruising –this appears as tiny red dots (not black areas like regular bruise).  If you get bruising you need to back off a little.

Also remember your rest and recovery times – do not over-train.

Hold perfect position for the duration of each pose– my standard mantra (especially at the start of a new year when I watch over every customer carefully).  I’m wondering how you are managing to hold poses correctly while using the roller – if I’m understanding you, you are using it while using your machine.

Remember Lloyd’s comment – do your vibration machine workouts in socks on a hard foam mat. It isn’t easier; in fact it makes your body work harder by providing a slightly unstable surface.  The mat density – rubber mat – needs to be firm but not rigid like exercise mat flooring, make sure you can press fingers into it a little. We get our mats from a specialist rubber goods shop, not a sports supplier.

I want to share something I discovered re:the trigger point problem. I started using a new item called the Rumble Roller in combination with the Wave and it seems to work well on trigger points. What I do is use the "fingers" that the RR has to apply a vibrating deep tissue massage to the muscles where the trigger points are. Worth a try if you also have this problem.