I’ve been pondering the question: Can a person effectively work through the safety program on a vibration machine while they are wearing headphones, using their Ipod or other brand of MP3 player?
In a word, the answer is No!
Working in a Vibra-Train Vibration Training Studio I instruct and supervise customers. Those who are proficient are allowed to do their workout without interuption; that is unless they are out of position and those who insist on wearing headphones are, I’ve observed, frequently out of position.
Listening to music can be helpful when exercising. When running outdoors or on a treadmill or using a cross-trainer machine in the gym having your own choice of music can help with rhythm but in a Vibration Training Studio or when using a machine at home it’s often detrimental, not helpful at all, as it’s all too easy to listen to the music and lose focus, quickly becoming out of postion.
I watch people moving about in time to the music quite oblivious to their lack of concentration. Then I have to try to yell at them, above the sound of their player, admonishing them to “Get Back into Position!” It’s said, over and over; When using a high force lineal machine, Perfect Position, is essential to safe and effective training. Studio customers expect to get great results yet some argue when factors affecting this are pointed out to them.
I’ve toughened up this week. The change of season to winter in New Zealand takes away the laid back summer style. Not that I ever let regular customers get far outside of Perfect Position on the machines – they are paying for a high quality program and supervision that gets them great results – but this week sees me turning machines off rather than trying to call out instructions to customers who have their ears plugged up with headphones, their brains tuned into their music and their attention far from the exercise position they are supposed to be concentrating on. We have background music in the studio that seems loud but when a person is using the machines they can barely hear this music. It’s deliberately this way; it creates a happy, positive, workout atmosphere but doesn’t deter from the concentration that’s needed to actively think about the vibration machine program. Customers remain alert to instruction, and, if needed, correction so that their workout is the very best possible, safe, and getting them the results we promise and they want to see.
In studio or at when using a home vibration machine – 10-15 minutes without the Ipod – it’s not really so hard, is it!
Note: This post is my personal opinion. Vibra-Train customers are allowed to wear their personal mp3 players when using the vibration machines but there is NO excuse for being out of position. Machines are turned off by an instructor if this happens.
For more information on Vibration Machines, Vibration Training, Vibration Therapy, and The Vibra-Train Safety Program visit: www.vibration-training-advice.com
