Low Speed Pivotal Massage Machine

I have three pivotal machines in the  studio where I work.  Two are used for therapy poses to increase blood circulation, help with relaxation, and improve proprioception in customers who because of medical or physical disability are not yet able to use the lineal Vibra-Train machines.

Premium Speed Pivotal Workout Machine

One machine is larger and is a true workout model. It’s used mainly for physio/therapy use also but can be used for full workouts. We find out customers here, when given the choice, prefer the lineal Vibra-Train platforms.

There’s also the embarrasment factor of the pivotal machines when used in a semi or deeper squat poses – the action of the side to side motion causes the user’s butt and thighs to wobble noticeably; also in some people their hips show  movement also. This is all totally normal when using this type of machine but, oh boy, does it look funny. You might have seen it in internet videos and on television where it looks amusing when the model on the machines is a tiny size 6 or 8 (N.Z. size) but can you imagine the look when a 250lb (120kg) women uses the machine? I’m asuming of course that the machine copes with this larger sized person – many pivotal machines degrade in performance well below that weight.  Even a regular sized woman, say 140lbs, doesn’t look good wobbling away on the pivotal machines. But, of course, the advertisers use attractive, tiny models to promote their products.

Jumping to their defense – vibration training isn’t about looking good in the studio while doing your work-out, it simply doesn’t matter, but the wobble is not a good look!

Another defense of the “wobble”, though completely wrong this one – I’ve had people say, “oh look at their butts wobble. They MUST be losing lots of weight!” Others come into the studio and ask if our machines are like the ones they’ve seen on TV, the ones where you wobble and get slim and fit.

Is it true – can you lightly wobble your way to a new slender you? Technically any movement burns more calories than sitting still so the person on the pivotal machine is getting some benefit from it. Many “weight-loss” books tell us to move about a lot, move legs about when sitting at the office desk and fidgit with your hands. By doing this you burn a few more calories each day and a small, measurable amount in a year. Okay, its better than being sedentary but it does very little toward the goal of  fat reduction and fitness. I’m amazed by the number of people who are confused by this.

To demonstrate the difference in machine types I put the questioning customer onto the large pivotal machine for a one minute semi-squat at low speed. Then they do the same position at a higher speed, again for a minute or two. You can see their thighs wobble and they feel this as a gentle activation. Those who want to can do the squat pose at high speed; 22hz is about the top before the users feet begin to slip on the (non-slip) plate. I then invite them to rest and then repeat the squat once or twice on a lineal machine, using the basic level 2 beginners unit. This machine gives a strong muscle contraction in the quads (front upper leg) when the person does a simple, deep (110 degree) squat for just 60 seconds.  That’s all it takes to show the very major difference in the machine types. Watching the person on the lineal machine they appear not to be moving at all, there’s none of the “wobble” but, in their own words, they tell me how much harder it is and how much deeper they feel the muscle contraction.

It’s not possible to wobble yourself slim using a pivotal vibration machine. It might be a way to start out but its not going to work for long. Wobbling fat – wobbles fat, it might give some benefit as it will mobilise fluid and improve lymphatic drainage but real toning comes from real training – and that’s impossible on almost all pivotal machines.

I’m reminded of the slogan we use when customers complain that the training program is hard work; we tell them the sign over the door says “Vibra-TRAIN” not “Vibra-MASSAGE”

Even worse than believing that by using a low speed pivotal vibration machine, you can lose weight, tone, get fit and look like the model on the advertorial on TV or internet is the promotion of simply standing upright on the machine while you watch TV.  I read an advert this week, an auction on New Zealand’s TradeMe site, where a low speed pivotal machine was being sold with the instruction to simply stand or sit on the machine and watch the pounds slip away.
IF ONLY IT WAS THAT EASY! Only the lasiest of consumers would believe that – and as I’ve written before, they seem destined to be ripped off but that sort of marketing does a lot of harm to the whole vibration training industry.

Glossary:

Lineal
A solid platform that moves straight up and down, all across the surface at the same time.

Pivotal
A Platform that tilts from side to side , so one foot goes up , while the other goes down.

Does your Gym or Fitness Centre have a Vibration Machine in the corner or in a side room but you don’t know how to use it?

Does it have a chart on the wall with stick figures in many strange poses? Are the trainers clueless when it comes to this piece of equipment?

Do you want to know how to use your home machine safely and effectively?

(many come with long, confusing workout suggestions written in broken english or just pictures with instruction in chinese languages)

Did you buy a machine on Ebay or New Zealand’s TradeMe and you don’t really know how to use it?

Here is a poster and link to clear instructions on the use of Lineal Vibration Machines. It is designed for medium and higher energy platforms like VibroGym, BodyShaker, DKN Lineal platforms, and Power Plate clones BUT it’s also effective with low energy home machines of the sort you can buy in a sports or general supply shop or online.

If you are using a lower force machine, once you’ve mastered the program and are making sure you are getting into and maintaining Perfect Position you can double up on the squats and later on the full program. Doubling up on a pose can be performing it for 2 minutes instead of 1 or doing two sets of 1 minute poses dependant on the timing controls available on the machine.

Be sure your machine is lineal (upright vibration) before following these instructions although most positions can be adapted for pivotal (side to side) machines.

Note: Do not attempt the plank position in these instructions on a pivotal platform. Full instructions for the safe use of pivotal vibration machines will be available very soon.

IVTRB Safety Program Step-by-Step instructions: Click here for instructions and explanation of each position.

And here’s the poster. If you click on it, it links through to a larger copy.

It is essential to follow the instructions in conjunction with the poster. By carefully going through it step-by-step you can be sure of getting into position correctly and having an effective workout.
Do not ever simply try to copy the poster!

www.vibration-training-advice.com

There’s articles for consumers, about studios, types of machines and exercise positions. Also lots of vibration training advice about buying a machine for home use, and a section dedicated to Instructors and Studio owners.

There’s also a discussion forum where questions can be asked to clarify what’s written in the articles or for special information needed.

• Safety Program and Instructions
• Machine Reviews
• Health and Disability

The other section is for Trainers and Studio Owners with articles covering topics like:

• Vibration Training and precise joint angles
• The “Ups and Downs” of the studio concept

Click on the link above to visit the website.  Read the articles that interest or help you make an informed choice about what machine to buy or studio to visit.  There’s also a discussion forum available.

The first is an elderly frail looking Priest.  Yes, you’ve read it right. Remember Vibration Training is for everyone!

And we can also provide Vibration Therapy for those who need rehab or a less intensive workout due to injuries or health concerns.  Not so with our Priest,  he works out harder than most, only some athletes could be said to train harder.

The first time I watched over him (he loves the attention and I’m sure he fakes forgetting which position comes next) I was scared, watching this 80-something man hold good position on the machine and cunningly set the dials to 120 seconds instead of the regular 60 seconds.  He’s been given permission to do this but only on some positions and he really is very sneaky.  A real character, I now look forward to his visits.

It could be said he brings some balance to the studio as he leaves saying, “God Bless You”.  I smile as I hear Lloyd in  the background yelling at a customer, telling them to “tough it out” and telling them “God’s not going to help you”, in response to plaintive cries of “Oh God, God, this is too hard!” Hard training and maybe God’s blessing keeps our Priest very fit and strong.

The other “tough guy” I’ve had in the studio recently was a “newbie”.  This guy’s attitude preceded him as he walked in the door.  He was, “I know it all.  I did vibration training years ago”. He told me he used to sell another brand of machines.

I warned him that Vibra-Train machines had a much stronger force than the ones he’d used and they would seem like toys in comparison as they were suitable for therapy and light training, not enough for a muscle-bound guy like him.  The first 60 second basic squat was all the  proof needed.  He changed his story, telling me actually hadn’t used the other brand machines often and although he had helped with sales, this was only weekends and it was “years ago”.  Working through the “Safety Program” and he trained hard, completely failing several times, not able to hold the positions correctly.  He loved it.  Showing him the higher level machines (the Level 3 and Level 5-Sports Model) I overlooked telling him that all Vibra-Train machines use same frequency, 43Hz, that’s not the factor controlling the “force” of the vibration as some other brands say.

A final “pull-up” position (only possible on machines with vibrating, side handle-bars) was the clincher, he paid up for a concession card right away.

Vibra-Train is the world’s best for Lineal Vibration Machines.  When in contact with a lineal vibration machine the body gets pushed upwards and in response it  pushes back hard.  This involuntary and strong muscle response is favoured for a “workout” and results are quickly seen – improved fitness, health, and athletic ability.  Click on the website link for more information and if you can get to a Vibra-Train Studio go on in for free first visit.

(pic used with permission.
© www.vibra-train.com)