It’s Tuesday, lunchtime, and my shift at Vibra-Train is over but I’ve stayed on for a while as I often do as I have my own workout to do.

BUT

there’s a problem – and it’s a good one – there’s no Vibration Machines left to me to use.  We have 9 machines in the studio, of varying levels and I can use any one of them; if there was one unoccupied.  We have a walk-in system with no appointment needed and I’m really happy to see so many people here and what’s more it’s been happening often over the past few weeks.

I have my own theory on why we are so popular right now – Winter in New Zealand has been very cold and wet and it’s raining today but the temperature has risen a little so maybe people are dreaming of Spring with thoughts of warm breezes, barbeques at the park and long walks along the beach in the evenings and weekends.  It makes us think of “getting into shape”, shaking off the winter excesses, eating healthy and exercising to build fitness and strength so we can fully enjoy all the free or low cost, outdoor activities that are available in New Zealand Summertime.

Yesterday I worked the early shift, from 6.30am and also a few hours in the evening.  I had many new customers, some who had never used a Vibration Machine before, others who had tried out another brand in their gym or a cheap, low quality pivotal massage machine in someone’s home.

Without exception, all enjoyed, and were challenged by, their first visit! There was no particular “type” of new customer; this didn’t come from advertising or promotions, it’s simply word of mouth and people reading articles in magazines and newspapers or online blogs where people tell of their experience of Vibration Training and the results they’ve achieved.

I’ve had some very fit people try us out lately, guys and girls with great looking bodies achieved by hours and hours of gym or at-home workouts along with careful eating.  Some are skeptical that Vibration Training can offer them anything and they expect to be bored or find the program very easy especially as it’s only around 15 minutes long.  Well, the army guy last Friday was almost crying during the last position of the Vibra-Train Safety Program; the muscle-man LifeFM radio dj didn’t get past position 1 without grunts and complaints about how hard it was; the enthusiastic gym goer who came in with a friend last night left feeling totally fatigued and pushed to her extreme limit as well as happy and mentally alert.

What these already fit people found out was that when they use a high-energy lineal Vibration Platform such as the Vibra-Train brand and the full body Safety Program, they are working with their already developed muscle mass, extending themselves in a way they would find hard to do safely at the gym.  They are getting great benefits, maintaining and building muscle without injuring the origin or insertion points where the muscle attaches to bone, so while they feel fatigue they don’t ache and take days to recover.

Of course you don’t have to be already fit and have good muscle tone to do Pure Vibration Training, it’s for everyone and the results are truely amazing.

I’ve had some time off so this website hasn’t been updated as regularly as usual.  No, I’m not losing interest or changing direction as a few people have asked; I’m even more passionate about the uses and benefits of Vibration Training.

I’ve had two small operations and a time of recovery and even though I’ve been back at work for a month I’ve been taking things easy BUT now I’m back and I’ll be providing regular updates on

The Benefits of Vibration Training Machines and how to use them for fitness and health. There’s some exciting articles coming so keep looking back.

For now here’s another video: In this one you’ll see my boss, Lloyd Shaw of Vibra-Train doing his personal workout.  It’s the same workout that Vibra-Train customers do and he’s very careful to maintain Perfect Position – This is non-negotiable at Vibra-Train.  Sometimes customers have their own way or think they know how a position should be performed but they don’t get that choice here – there are strict step-by-step instructions for each position – that way customers get the results and benefits they are working out for.

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

Right, now that I’ve got your attention by my title I’m going to talk about Women and their weight (or body size) woes.

As we all know there are stages or passages of life; from infancy and childhood, to teen, then adult, through to middle-age (forty maybe) and so on.  We can be thin or a “fatty” as a child and completely different body type as an adult and there are many reasons for this; what and how much food is eaten, hormonal balance, and activity among these.  Some women take part in strenuous sports and seem to have no worries about weight gain and more about exactly what to eat to fuel the activity.  Some have a high metabolism and are always on the move, others no matter how little they eat or how busy their lives are seem to gain weight easily.  Those who are mothers often tend to eat foods more suited to their growing children then to their own needs and with the rush and bustle of everyday life they pay scant attention to the slow but definite weight gain that’s happening each week.

Sports, the track, field and the gym are not the desire of at least half of all women.  They have other interests and others who do enjoy these simply don’t have the money to pay for them during their younger adult life.

We reach 35 or 40 and then comes a time when, for most women, we take “stock” of our lives and plan ahead, maybe making serious New Years Resolutions for the first time; plans to get fitter, look better or retain our youthful looks, and for many – to lose weight.

For those who need to lose weight – the battle begins.  It takes such a short time to realise it’s not an easy task but an ongoing way of life.  It doesn’t matter why or how a women gained weight it’s going to take learning some new skills of fitness exercise and ways of eating to trim down again.  There’s whole industries aimed at women’s weight-loss, organizations like WeightWatchers, Jenny Craig and more.  Local Gyms and Fitness Centres offer specialised programs and doctors sometimes prescribe medications.  There are books on how-to (eat right, exercise and home, take the best vitamins etc) and there are so many internet websites, forums and self-help guides that many women have no idea where to start.  The lucky ones have friends, family, or neighbours to guide them.  Some already know what paths to take as they’ve carefully taken an interest in nutrition and exercise through the years yet still they have gained weight and now need to be be more determined in their efforts to regain control; they might be hampered by emotional overeating or hormonal issues, by diabetes or insulin resistance.  The latter can be a serious problem that means it’s near impossible to lose weight by exercise and less food alone as the body doesn’t burn fat in expected ways.

I encourage women to ask for help.  Find out all you can about “how to” and be sure to engage your medical doctors help by getting a physical checkup before starting any strenuous exercise or dietary program.

I know, personally, the struggles of weight gain and the difficulties of trying to lose fat and regain fitness.  I’ve written my story here:  About Me
I’m currently gaining control again after suffering years of estrogen dominance (hormonal imbalance), some emotional overeating and, even though I’ve been active, lack of regular, planned exercise.  I understand first-hand many of the issues women face and I’m able to encourage and also push customers to work hard to achieve their goals.  Working as an instructor for Vibra-Train in Auckland City I’m in a unique position to help women who like myself who have gained weight as they aged from twenty to thirty and forty.  Vibration Training on high force lineal machines builds fitness and muscle strength, tones and trims the body and is, without exaggeration, a life-saver for some women.

On a forum attached to a website that tells all you want to know about Vibration Training : www.vibration-training-advice.com I have come under attack for being a Fitness Instructor yet being bigger in body size than the (possibly) expected look of one in this job.  My attackers are unknown to me and maybe just throwing stones at the industry I work in but;  If they think that only the Trainer who is 20, slim, athletic and looks great in a bikini is going to be successful in helping women gain fitness and lose fat they are so very wrong.  In training overweight women I have huge advantage as I know how it is, I’ve tried some of the remedies and I’ve found a method of exercise that works for everyone who gives it their best shot; Vibration Training.  Within three or four weeks we see results.  Later add in some gentle cardio exercise, like walking or swimming, adjust one’s diet (or see a specialised dietitian) if needed and smile.

I’d welcome the opportunity to meet anyone who thinks I am unfit to give advice or instruct others in fitness because I am not a “perfect” looking body.  My bet is they are too cowardly to come in to the studio where I work or to contact me personally; probably they are grossly overweight, sad, and too lazy to do anything about it.  I am making a positive difference in the world; in my own life and in many others.  Anyone who speaks against this has some serious problems.

Recommended Websites for Weight Loss and Fitness Gain information:
www.vibration-training-advice.com
www.vibra-train.com

www.one80deg.co.nz
www.metabolicjumpstart.com