Choosing a Vibration Training Studio isn’t as easy as just turning up at your closest provider. It’s important to visit all the studios you can and to ask questions about the machines and the program used. Most providers offer the first session free so you can assess it. You will be asked to fill in a questionnaire asking your reasons and goals for Vibration Training and you need to clearly state any injuries (present or past) and medical problems you have. From this information a proficient Instructor will tell you if you can proceed or if you need to get medical clearance first. Also they can advise alternative positions you will use on the machines if a regular position is contraindicated. Some people start with a Therapy program to target injured or weak areas of the body and then move onto a Training (fitness/strength) program.
The same questions need to be asked as if you were buying a machine: ask what will the machine do for you. Decide: does the answer sound realistic or is it an exaggerated promise of health, fitness and beauty. Ask where the machines are made and who designed the program (the positions you use on the machine). Ask what weight the machines can take. Some machines, made of poor quality construction materials, do not perform to the specifications stated and also cannot take the weight of people over 176lbs (80kg) without considerable loss in working effectiveness. Studio machines need to have solid steel platform construction to give good results and for the machine to withstand constant use.
Remember you are paying for a service and so you should get the quality you’re paying for. Talk with the program designer if possible or contact them by phone or email. This is very important as programs vary in effectiveness and safety. When using a Vibration Training machine more is not necessarily best. An intense (60 seconds per position) simple to follow program of around 7-10 positions that works the whole body is very effective and this program is available online if the studio does not already use it. It is extremely important that the Instructor remains with you and shows you the correct body positioning on the machine and continues to be with you on every visit until you are proficient and able to maintain accurate positions. Even then a good Instructor will be watching to ensure you do not tire and get out of position or get lazy with how you use the machines. If this isn’t happening then go somewhere that provides this service.
Choose your Studio carefully and you will get the good results that Whole Body Vibration Training can give – increased fitness and strength, improved balance and coordination, hormonal balance, sports specific training, some possible pain relief in conditions like osteoporosis and much more. I love to Vibe and I hope you will too.
References:
You’re correct, doing the research is important! I would recommend checking out the Soloflex blog for multiple posts on every aspect of vibration training, the specs of our platform, why we chose the vibration frequency we did and several ideas for whole body vibration routines. It’s one of the easier platforms to train on due to the fact that it sits closer to the ground, which makes lift weight and floor exercises more comfortable.
Soloflex has been manufacturing quality equipment and has had a great reputation in the health and fitness industry for over 30 years!
http://blog.soloflex.com
Thanks Molly. The Soloflex blog has interesting articles especially those on nutrition. Soloflex platforms are very gentle vibration, really a completely different type of machine to the ones I train on and used in a completely different way. As the article says, it’s important that consumers check out types of machines, get advice, and choose what’s right for their health and fitness needs.
In New Zealand I recommend:
http://www.vibra-train.com