Archive for the ‘Experiences’ category

Guys – Vibration Training is Hard Work!

February 15th, 2011

This year’s really going off at Vibra-Train.

All the studios in New Zealand and Australia are busy with regular customers and lots of “newbies” – people who come in for a trial session; some buy a concession card or membership right away, others go away and think about it; all are thoroughly impressed at how hard it is and can see right away that it’s going to be effective for their fitness and strength training.

HARD – Yes I used the word Hard

This year’s new customers have taken the time to find out what they’re in for – most already know its going to be exercise which is, as we all know, hard work; you can’t get results by just messing about. The Vibra-Train safety Program (used in Vibra-Train and many other vibration studios worldwide) is exacting; we insist that customers maintain perfect position throughout the time duration of each pose.

Can it be too hard for some people? This really isn’t a problem as the Safety Program accounts for all the aches Vibra-Train Bullet Machine and injuries a person might have while still allowing advanced users to “go harder”. There’s four varying levels of the “Bullet” (Vibra-Train’s lineal vibration machine) in the studio I’m working in plus there’s the “Vibra” machines with side vibrating handlebars that are used both for extension work and for simpler, greater support for those who are less able or have injuries.

So, what about Guys?

Well, this year there’s been a lot of guys coming in for trial sessions. Some already know they are going to have to work hard; others, especially those who come with their girlfriend or partner, have the idea that vibration training is for the girls (they’ve seen an advert for a cheap machine or maybe seen a video with pretty girls on a light machine) and they come with an opinion that its not really serious exercise.

Guys with this attitude are a lot of fun for the trainers – it can take just 60 seconds to change their mind and by the end of a 8-10 minute session they leave exhausted. Of course we have to be careful not to injure the male’s fragile ego by making the session too hard while their female friend just gets on with it without complaint but we do make sure they leave suitably impressed.

Many of the guys who are already fit and carry extra muscle mass find the workouts on the Vibra-Train machines to be really hard. I’m training some very strong guys at present, one in particular who is a Personal Trainer himself and is using Vibration Training to add that “extra” to his program. There’s another who was becoming quite fit and had lost a lot of stomach flab but he definitely over-indulged over Christmas and came back in a lot heavier – he came back in saying he was “afraid” of me. He knew I would insist he worked through the sessions correctly and safely and work very hard to get back into shape. He’s already getting great results again after just three weeks ( 9 sessions).

Guys who have never exercised in their lives do well with Vibration Training. On the vibration machines they are working with their own body as resistance so they can handle the program just as well as those who are already highly trained or fit. Of course it all seems very hard at first but that would be true of any exercise.

Then there’s the runners and those who regularly cycle long distances. These guys have strong legs; they can easily vibrogym professional hold the squat positions but they fail in the upper body work. Vibration Training on high-force lineal machines such as the Vibra-Train or Vibro-Gym helps to even out their training and give them overall fitness.

Any guy reading this who still thinks vibration training is for chicks is welcome to come into a Vibra-Train studio for a free session.

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Posted in Benefits, Experiences, Programs, Vibration Training

Tags: Customers Experiences Fitness Guys Instructor Results Studio

Senior Citizens can do Vibration Training

February 11th, 2011

This is a question I get asked quite often. The phone rings in the Vibra-Train studio and a lady tells me she wants to start coming in regularly but lives across town. There’s a studio near to her home so I direct her there. She says she has been into the studio where I work but not for a few years and she’s retired now and wants to spend some time improving her fitness. She asks me if she will need a special program now that she’s 60 and “old”.

My first reaction is to laugh as I don’t see 60 as old but I stifle that as I realise that she’s totally serious and besides most gyms have senior citizens programs for 60 years and above. There’s good reason for that, taking care of aging muscles and your heart can require going a little easier but health and fitness professionals recommend you continue exercise all your life. When discussing forms of excercise with customers or people coming into the studio for a trial visit Lloyd Shaw of Vibra-Train says,“Don’t begin any exercise you can’t continue for the rest of your life”.

This year we’ve had quite a lot of older people come into the Auckland City Vibra-Train Studio and from the phone call enquiries I’ve taken I’d say other studios have also.

So do these older people use a special training program?

The short answer is No! the Vibra-Train Safety Program was designed to take into account the worse case scenario – it’s safe and very effective for just about everyone and just about everyone who comes into the studio where I work does the same program. There are ways we extend the program for those who are proficient and hold excellent position on the machines; they can do some positions for longer or use a higher level machine. And there are ways to make it easier for those who would otherwise find it all too difficult. This is not necessarily seniors; most do the regular program.

Vibra-Train has the only vibration machines in the world with vibrating side handlebars.

These are so amazing; they allow people with hip, knee and ankle problems and people who are obese and need extra support to use the machines in squat positions in a totally safe, controlled way.

So, you might ask, what about the person who is unsteady on their feet, those who are wheelchair bound or even what if someone is just plain scared of the vibration feeling of the machines? The handlebars allow many people to use the machines well supported in a squat position. This might be the only position a less-abled person does on their first few visits. Repeated three of four times it gives plenty of stimulation to muscles throughout the whole body – remember the handlebars vibrate as well as the platform. It also gives improved blood circulation, relaxation and much more, so much that some people walk in stooped over and walk out straightened up.

The wheelchair bound and the few people who really are unsure of the feeling of the machines are able to sit in front of a machine and by placing their feet on the front edge of the platform (with or without a rubber mat under them) they receive stimulation to their legs and buttocks. This brings real benefits to those who have little or no active leg control (but that’s for another time).

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Posted in Benefits, Experiences, Programs, Vibration Training

Tags: Customers Disabilities Experiences Therapy Users Vibra-Train

I have Diabetes Can I do Vibration Training?

February 3rd, 2011

This is a question I am asked quite often when people call the Vibra-Train studio where I work. Can people with diabetes do Vibration Training? The simple answer is YES, you can do vibration training if you have diabetes but let’s look into it a bit deeper.

People with Type-2 Diabetes are encouraged to exercise yet many don’t even try. One of the reasons is that they are often overweight and get painful knees, hips, or back if they try to run or even walk for more than a short distance. Gyms can seem very daunting despite their advertising and often very sucessful transformation/weightloss programs. And really, many people are just lazy – they don’t want to exercise, especially if it means they have to make any sort of effort beyond pressing the buttons on the TV remote and lifting the glass of Coke to their lips.

Training on high force vibration machines is safe and effective for Type-2 diabetics. At the Vibra-Train brand studios there are machines with side handlebars to hold onto; the person’s knees and hips are well supported. Vibration Training causes a rapid drop in blood glucose levels and so can be used to manage glycemic control. It’s highly effective strength and fitness training and by raising the metabolism and building muscle strength body fat is decreased.

It also helps with muscle uptake and storage of glucose and can sometimes mean the difference between “medicinal” or “lifestyle” control of type 2 diabetes and, very importantly, it helps those with impaired glucose tolerance (pre-diabetes). My own experience has been exactly this. My blood sugar at fasting or spot checks is now absolutely normal.

Some Vibra-Train customers are Type-1 diabetics. This requires different management. These customers always eat before training (it’s the Number One on the “Rules @ Vibra-Train” list for everyone anyway). They test their blood sugar before and after and tell me just 10-12 minutes of training using the Vibra-Train Safety Program really eats through their blood glucose. We ask these customers to make sure they bring a snack with them and whatever other supplies they might need. Some vibration training companies list Type-1 Diabetes as a contra-indication to training but I can’t see any problem with it as long as the person has some stability and control over their condition. Obviously their doctor will advise them if exercise is not suitable for them at any time.

I have a current customer who has fairly recently been diagnosed with sudden onset, adult, Type-1 diabetes. This is less common but it happens. She told me that she was incorrectly diagnosed as Type-2 at first and now that’s been corrected she’s setting into the correct regime of injectable insulin to manage it. She’s enjoying coming in to Vibra-Train’s Auckland City Studio – it’s fast, effective excercise she can do and I’m really interested to watch her progress.

Vibration Training is an excellent addition to lifestyle modification for people with Diabetes.

Please remember to inform your instructor. They will then be more aware of subtle signs that show if you’re feeling dizzy; if your blood sugar drops too suddenly. Also that in the very unlikely event that you do faint, they know to call for medical assistance immediately.

A medical study: Efficiency of vibration exercise for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients

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Posted in Benefits, Experiences, Vibration Training, Women, health

Tags: Disabilities Effort Fat-loss Fitness health Results Therapy Users

Vibration Training 2011 – New Customers – Who are They?

January 24th, 2011

I didn’t make any New Year Resolutions but it seems many people did – and the one I’m hearing of the most is to get fitter, gain muscle, get stronger, exercise more, maybe lose some weight, feel better and many other similar desires. They are all about one thing – that the person realises they can acheive better health and fitness.

Many New Year Resolutions are broken by the end of New Years Day or the end of the first week of the year but achieving better health and fitness isn’t so easily set aside as we all know how important it is. Vibration Training is an excellent way to get into a fitness habit and I’m seeing that many people have realised this as there’s newbies in the studio every day. There’s still a habit to establish but that’s quite easy as Vibra-Train can be rather addictive – it’s person versus machine, maintaining perfect position and getting through that whole minute while the machine seems to kick back harder each time.

So who are these new customers? It sounds like hard work, doesn’t it? And, Yes, it is hard work – we have a saying that the sign over the door says Vibra – TRAIN not Vibra – MASSAGE. All exercise is hard work, there’s no short cuts to looking good and feeling great no matter what some advertising might tell you.

This years new customers have been all types of people. Early morning I’m getting fitness instructors and gym trainers, people who are already strong and are adding Vibration Training to their program because it gives them that “edge”, that little bit of extra muscle firmness especially for those who are heading into competitions, boxing, wrestling, body building, even running and endurance events.

Some other new customers have been people who have moved into new buildings near the Vibra-Train studio. Most have relocated but some are new not only to Vibration Training but also have new jobs this year and what better time is there to get into shape and feel better. These people are all different ages, shapes and sizes and I’m really enjoying working with each one to help them make vibration training a fitness habit that they keep on with all year and then more.

All they have to give now is a little time to make the habit and in a few weeks time when they start seeing the results I’m sure they keep on with it. Vibration Training is one New Year Resolution that gives excellent results.

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Posted in Benefits, Experiences, Instructor, Vibra-Train, Vibration Training

Tags: Customers Effort Experiences Fitness Results Vibration Training

Vibration Training 2011 – Back to Work

January 19th, 2011

It’s a busy start to the year here at the Auckland City Vibra-Train Studio. We’ve had reduced hours over the Christmas break so some customers have kept up their regular training and others are coming back this week now they are back at work. That’s one of the advantages about real vibration training it’s time sparing so people come in their lunchtimes and some even fit it into their morning or afternoon tea breaks if they work in businesses near the studio.

I work mornings mostly starting at 6.30am and other staff take over for the afternnons and evenings until close at 10pm. Then we also do Saturday and Sundays from 9am to 6pm so there’s never an excuse for people to say they want to come but the hours don’t suit. I’ve had new customers every day which has been both hard work and lots of fun and rewarding. These “newbies” have been all different ages and body types and most have had no previous exercise experience. It seems that Fitness has been a New Years Resolution for many and I’m taking it very seriously to see that these people get the first experience and the ongoing results that turn their fleeting good idea into a full lifestyle change.

In the wider Vibration Training Industry I’m involved in many areas, from discussions and debates about “how things work” to having to refute a lot of misinformation. Also I get emails and online contacts from people all over the world asking for help on various questions, from which home machine would be best for their needs to finding a studio or gym with training vibration machines that will enhance their fitness program. I write articles for various places, make videos for our YouTube Channel and am active in online social media.

People sometimes ask if I have a life outside of Vibration Machines. Yes, I do – I’m just not so sure where I left it right now.

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Posted in Experiences, Instructor, Other, Vibra-Train, Vibration Training

Tags: Customers Instructor New Year

Personal Trainer Infomercial Star Tells it Like it Is

November 10th, 2010

I’ve written before about Teneka Hyndman. She’s a multi-award winner at BodyBuilding shows in New Zealand and is currently in U.S.A. from where she’s just told us she won first place in the “Open Physique” class at the 2010 INBA Natural Universe competition. She’s soon off to Reno to take part in the “Natural Olympia”.

Teneka uses the high-energy lineral vibration machines at Vibra-Train as part of her extensive training program so it was very disappointing to see her endorse a low speed pivotal vibration platform, the Gymform VibroMax and take part in an infomercial just to earn a few dollars. The informercial is still current on New Zealand television and I cringe when I see it. I get phone calls at work and private emails asking me where to buy this machine and I want to simply say, “don’t!” but to be fair it does have some valid uses – it gently increases circulation and tickles the body; that’s about it! It doesn’t make users build muscle, gain amazing fitness and look like the models that are shown on the machines. All television advertorial exageration aside the presentation in this infomercial is very sad as it targets the very people who need help to gain fitness and often to lose large amounts of fat (weight-loss) but the only thing that’s going to get slimmer is their wallet. The same, identical machine, with a different brand name stamp on it, can be bought on auction sites and in clearance stores for less than 25% of the TV price.

When she did the advertorial, initially as a stand in for another fitness model who couldn’t make it that day, Teneka realised right away that the machine she was being filmed on and endorsing, as per the script, was totally different to the Vibra-Train ones she trains on three times a week. She tried at first to justify to herself and to others that maybe, just maybe, all vibration machines did the same job but she knew from the feel of the machine that this wasn’t true.

Now she’s come out and tells it like it really is:

Check it out here: http: Infomercial-fitness-instructor-spills-the-beans

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Posted in Brands, Experiences, Vibration Training, health

Tags: Brands Fat-loss Fitness health Marketing Results Users Women

Vibration Training – Fitness Training – Back at it!

October 22nd, 2010

My posts have been infrequent for a few months as I’ve had some health ups and downs. A small operation in late May went wrong and I received what is now politely called a “Treatment Injury”. Basically it means someone stuffed up! This resulted in a more extensive surgery early June, a long period of recovery and a lot of pain. I’m left with some internal injuries still and expect to have more surgery again quite soon to complete my treatment.

What has this meant for me? Have I been able to vibra train? What about my fitness? What about my weight, has it zoomed upward?

After any big operation there’s a recovery time during which exercise is generally limited to short walks and no lifting or stretching. I had no choice with that but after a few weeks I was eager to regain my strength so I visited my workplace and was allowed to sit on a chair in front of the Vibration Machine with my feet resting just on the edge of a rubber mat on the platform, my legs bent at about 110 degree angle at the knees. The machine was turned on for three minutes.

This position requires zero effort and gently increases blood circulation so you feel quite awake. It can even stimulate some small amount of muscle contraction in the legs and buttocks. Obviously that’s all good for healing but a lot of care is needed even with this minimal effort position and one person will respond differently to another. It’s unusual but I found It gave me a discomfort in the pelvic region where I’d had surgery and I had to wait a few more weeks.

By then I was wanting to get back onto the machines and do some real training – Again I had to be guided by my healing progress. Using 3 layers of rubber mat on the machine platform I was able to do the special “ski the slopes” position. It was great for me as by using the side vibrating handlebars (only on Vibra-Train brand machines) I was able to get an upper body workout while gently working out my lower body; cutting the amount of vibration by using the mats on the platform and by using arm pressure, pushing down on the handlebars with my hands, to take pressure off my legs and pelvic area.

I continued doing only the “ski the slopes” position for 60 seconds, firstly just once, then three times, then up to six times using the lowest force machine in the Vibra-Train studio. Three times a week, just like regular training, I continued this regime for a month and then added in a few other poses. I lessened the mats under my feet from three down to two and over the next weeks progressed to the full Safety Program.

The process seemed slow and as I’m a Vibration Training Instructor I wanted to get back onto the machines very quickly BUT my healing and safety comes first.

It’s taken over three months to get back to strength and full healing and now I am fit it’s a bit sad that I have to face the process all over again but “cest la vie”.

I feel very fortunate to be working with the world’s best Vibration Training Machines here at Vibra-Train, Auckland City.

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Posted in Experiences, Instructor, Programs, Vibra-Train, Vibration Training, health

Tags: Disabilities Experiences Safety Program Therapy Vibra-Train Women

Vibration Training and Travel

July 22nd, 2010

I have to say it yet again – I really love Vibration Training – the benefits to me in improved health and fitness are so good!

I also enjoy travel – usually this is just a quick weekend away; an “escape” from home and work and all the stresses of daily life. A two or three day weekend out of town is excellent for relaxation, for trying new activities, going to a show, or sightseeing.

Last weekend I was in Sydney where I went to a show, “West Side Story”, and did some shopping. It wasn’t really a rest travelling from Auckland early Saturday and back Sunday night but it was a very much needed break.

So where do Vibration Machines feature in my short weekends away?

There’s the increased fitness and strength to power me through up to 24 hours from when I get up at 3am until I get to bed in Sydney the following night. With a two hour time difference and lots to do and see I can be active for a very long time with my only rests being the waiting time at Auckland International Airport and onboard the aircraft for three hours. Once I arrive it’s all go!

vibrogym professional The Vibration Training benefit I appreciate the most when I travel is that of increased circulation. I try to train immediately before I travel, at least the afternoon before. Then I can sit for long periods of time without discomfort in my legs and my risk of d.v.t. is decreased. I try to stand up at least once during a 3 1/2 hour flight but having a window seat can prevent this; it’s easier to stay put than clamber over two other people to stand.

If I have travelled over three hours by car or aircraft my first stop apon arrival is the local Vibra-Train or VibroGym Vibration Training Studio. There I work through the Safety Program which again gets my blood circulation stimulated and my mind alert and ready to go (Shopping !)

Unfortunately The Vibra-Train studio in Sydney is too far out of town to visit on a weekend trip and there’s no alternative. I hope that one day we’ll see High-Force, Lineal Vibration Machines available for use at Airports with Instructors to guide travellers through the session. Premium Speed Pivotal machines would also be useful as they can be used to mimic the natural walking gait and relieve the backache that comes with long periods of immobility.

So here’s a business idea that someone might want to run with – a Vibration Training Studio within an airport complex – There’s certainly enough people about to make it commercially viable if the owners do the setup right and provide suitably experienced Instructors to work with customers.

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Posted in Benefits, Experiences, Other Articles, Vibration Training, health

Tags: Exercise Experiences health Instructor Other Articles Results Travel

The Gymform Vibromax TV Advertorial

May 12th, 2010

A year ago I wrote an article which was published firstly on blogcritics website and later on www.vibration-training-advice.com. It was titled “An Elite Athlete Discovers Vibration Training” and followed the sucesses of Teneka, a New Zealand personal trainer who added “high energy, lineal Vibration Training” to her already extensive workout program and went on to win Body Sculpting titles. She stated that it was the x-factor, her training at Vibra-Train that gave her the edge in strength and body shape, over her competitors.

Teneka recently took part in an video advertorial that’s showing quite often on morning television. She states how much Vibration Training has done for her and credits it to the advertorial machine – the Gymform Vibromax (a lowspeed pivotal machine, much like the VibraSlim, see: www.vibration-training-advice.com/machine-reviews).

Gymform Vibromax Pivotal Vibration Machine We all know that advertisements contain hyperbole and infomercials are rarely to be believed but I’ve been told that this advertorial looks credible; being promoted by an obviously fit, slim, competition winning, personal trainer. In fact the whole advert is deceptive and it’s format lacks any integrity. It is aimed at people who need to lose weight and gain fitness and says this is possible by simply standing upright on the machine while watching television.

That is not true; It isn’t going to happen and it’s important to set the record straight.

Read my full article here: www.vibration-training-advice.com/you-just-can-t-trust-anyone

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Posted in Brands, Experiences, Marketing, Vibration Training

Tags: Brands Effort Experiences Fat-loss Fitness home machines Pivotal Results Therapy

Someone buy me a belt please

April 1st, 2010

Well, I decided a pre-winter “Get Fit” program was needed so for the past three weeks I’ve taken my training to a new level. I work at Vibra-Train so I have all the equipment I need.

My goal was to increase my strength and overall well-being before the winter cold and rain hits New Zealand. Also to lose some fat, maybe some weight. I’ve got good muscle mass, not that I’ll complain if I build more – it supports the bones and also increases one’s metabolic rate = more fat calories burnt each day.

I’m using the Vibra-Train Safety Program, the one I know so well and instruct customers in every day. I’ve been precise about position and obeyed the rules by always following the step-by-step instructions for getting into perfect position. Then maintaining that “perfect position” for the 60 seconds of each pose – for me that’s the hard part.

Every time I train I’m strict on myself, just as I am on customers, to ensure a safe and effective workout but if I slow down and are very precise I find areas where I can improve. There’s the times I transfer weight onto my toes (cheating to get away from the burning feeling in the quads) whilst doing squat positions on the machine. This is, I know, a natural response to it being hard work (your body pulls away from situations that hurt) but it stops me getting the best muscle response which is by targetting the girth of the muscle. I’ve been correcting myself, it’s a situation where “stress” (in the quad muscles and in my perception of pain) is there to give a good result. Remember that stress is not bad, it’s how we respond to it that creates positive or negative results.

It’s taken me just two weeks, that’s six sessions, to feel stronger and that I could push myself even harder. It’s not that I haven’t trained for a long time but I’d taken two weeks off then had another two weeks where I’d trained only once a week as I felt unwell otherwise. We do not allow people to use the machines while they have active infection. Also it’s been a long, hot summer, perfect for relaxing and beach walks and too hot for serious exercise.

I’m now at the end of week 3 and I’m doing great. I’ve increased my vibra-training to two days on and one day off, a pattern that is okay for two weeks only as it overloads the muscles to serious fatigue. Any longer and there’s the risk of overtraining and muscle breakdown instead of building.

Vibration Training is a form of resistance training so to balance that I’ve added in some extra cardio work, more than my usual walk home or along the seaside, I’ve been using a stationary exercise bike and a treadmill. Twenty minutes of incline walking at a comfortable pace on most days.

So, to my results: We have a Body Composition Analyser in the Vibra-Train studio so after just three weeks I re-tested and yes, I have lost some weight. More importantly I’ve lost fat and more important than that is that I’m feeling great, that is except for one annoying point; my new jeans are loose and are almost falling down. My (also new) black work trousers are loose also. Can someone please buy me a belt?

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Posted in Benefits, Experiences, Programs, Vibration Training, Women, health

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