Hobby

One of the newer products on the market is vibration exercise equipment. Claiming to help do everything from toning muscles to improving strength and bone density, some people are turning to this controversial equipment to reach their workout goals.

The theory behind vibration exercise equipment was actually generated for the Russian space program. With zero gravity, there is no resistance to work your muscles, and with prolonged stay in space can lead to muscle deterioration and even loss in bone density. To fight this, the Russians came up with vibration exercise.

The theory is simple. The person using the equipment merely gets onto a platform. They can stand, sit, lay down, or even focus the platform on certain body parts. This platform creates a vibration, which is sent through the body. In reflex the muscles contract. This causes tendons to stretch, and increases blood flow and improving blood oxygenation. This strengthens and tones them without effort on the person’s part. Since the vibrations get sent through the entire body, all the muscle groups are affected. Ultimately, the makers of the equipment claim that it will help increase range of motion, coordination, posture, bone density, and even decreases cortisol, the stress hormone. It is said to be relaxing, which lowers stress and can even eliminate tension related pain. They also claim that anyone can use the equipment – whether they are young or old, skinny or overweight, a seasoned athlete or beginning exerciser.

The efficacy of the equipment seems to be proven in the space program itself. With using the equipment, the Russian space team was able to spend a record of 420 days in space. In comparison, the Americans, who trained with traditional workout equipment, have only stayed 120 days because their bones and muscles started to give out.

Research now is turning to study the use of vibration exercise in medicine and rehabilitation programs. It is being used to help accident victims and coma patients regain use of their muscles with some success.

The makers of vibration equipment claim that the equipment stands up to the highest possible safety standards. The machine itself seems to be user-friendly – they take up little space and do not require much maintenance. They are reputed to be so easy to use that you do not even need to change your clothes. However, if your goal is to lose weight, you may wonder whether or not the equipment will work with you.

One thing to keep in mind is that astronauts, and the sports teams endorsing vibration exercise equipment, are already in a pretty healthy state. They watch what they are eating and are active. It is kind of hard to binge on potato chips and ice cream when you are thousands of miles away from the closest convenience store. To get the most out of any workout, including that with vibration equipment, to get the best results you will want to make lifestyle changes as well. This includes everything from eating a healthy diet to taking vitamins, to spending fewer hours in front of the TV. Before starting any new exercise program, you should always speak with your doctor. This is especially true if you have experienced illness or injury, or if you are elderly or severely overweight.
There are some specific instances where vibration technology should not be considered an option. These include, but are not limited to, pregnancy, advanced heart disease, if you have a pacemaker, if you have just had surgery, if you have hip or knee implants, severe diabetes, epilepsy, severe migraines, or recently placed IUD’s, pins, or plates. Once again, always check with your doctor before using this equipment.
Another thing to consider is the hefty price tag. Vibration exercise equipment starts at over $2000, and goes up dramatically from there depending on the model and manufacturer. If you are on a budget, you might look into trying the equipment out at a gym or spa before making the leap to purchasing one for your home.

With all this, it does appear that vibration exercise equipment can be beneficial to your health. After weighing the factors, you can make the decision about whether or not it would be a helpful addition to your home gym.