Or perhaps you own or run a Vibration Training Studio or you’re interested in getting into this industry – You want your clients to get great results but there are so many choices of machine brands, type, price and quality, so what should you demand from the company you choose to supply your machines?

Watch this Video,

“What to look for in a Commercial Vibration Training Platform”

One of the sellers of low energy, cheap to manufacture, machines has banned me. That means I can’t ask any questions on his auctions or give any reply when he misleads potential buyers by his auction wording or in replies to questions asked.

This seller trades on TradeMe as Fitness Hire Ltd or razzel1 and they use the brand name SiTrek Vibration Trainer. They say its one of the most sold vibration machines in the world.  This is true, it’s the well know, CrazyFit Massager. Read a little about them: Click here

I wrote of how this auction seller of new cheaply made, low energy, pivotal machines advertised them in a manner that made them sound equal to high force Studio platforms and even said, ” don’t waste your money going to a studio”.  They say that for benefits equal to working out for an hour at the gym all you need to do is STAND on the machine while you watch TV or listen to music”.  Then you’ll get increased circulation (that’s partially true), increased metabolism and burn more calories both during your time on the machine and after. Well that last part is a big stretch, I can’t say it’s totally untrue but really? increased metabolism after standing (that’s standing not performing any exercise positions) on a machine that moves you up and down, slightly see-saw style about 12 times a second? Maybe if you weigh over 400 pounds it might be a helpful start to movement.

I’ve tried it!  On one machine I got bored, on another that had faster and very random sideways movement as well and the see-saw up/down I got sea-sick.  To someone unaccustomed to exercise or vibration machines It can feel, well, like movement, so it is possible to get a good sensation and a belief that, yes, this machine is going to make you fit and strong. This is how so many people are happy enough to buy this type of machine.

It really can feel exciting. After all, it was one of these low energy pivotal machines that I first tried and decided it was, 1. dangerous (it was a bigger, faster, uncontrolled movement, pivotal machine), 2. soothing to painful shoulders when I knelt and put my hands on the platform so I pondered its value for massage and healing, 3. exciting enough to make me investigate more about other uses opf Vibration and other types of machines.  I thought it had “potential” but that, something was very wrong with the design of the machine I tried.

The rest is, as they say, history! I am now one of the most prolific advocates for high quality Vibration Training and Vibration Therapy.  I’ve seen what it can do and the proven benefits in my life and so many others.  I’ve written many published articles and debated with people worldwide on the topics of machine types, quality, benefits and more.

There’s no way I am going to stand aside and watch as unethical traders use whatever advertising words they choose and attach the benefits of high energy, high quality machines to the auction details for their plastic, low everything, machines.  I’ve said many times that some of these low force, pivotal machines can have benefits for some people; massage value to the legs, slightly increased circulation and very slightly increased metabolism in overweight, very unfit or unwell, or those who do no exercise at all.  The degree of benefit depends mostly on the machine but also on the needs of the user. 

There is no way a person can build muscle and get the physiche of the people shown on infomercials or in pictures attached to these machines just by standing on one, ten minutes a day, or even by following the supplied exercise chart.  Heck, I couldn’t even get into some of the yoga style poses that are shown on some of the exercise charts but I’ll grant that performing the poses on or off the cheap, low energy pivotal machine might increase one’s flexibility (and you don’t need the machine for that).

I’ll continue to warn about the rip-off’s of the Vibration Training Industry and equally importantly, I’ll continue to promote the use and benefits of good quality machines, of varying brands and types. Banning me from questioning an auction’s details gives me greater reason to suspect the seller of being knowingly dishonest and unethical and I’ll yell loudly against that every time.

Note: This blog post is my personal opinion. All buyers of Vibration Machines by auction, in stores, from or as-seen-on-tv sellers are advised to seek advice, use Google, and make their own educated decisions.

It goes on to say “Just 10 minutes on the SFT can equal up to 1 hour of exercise… Reduces unwanted fat on the hips, waist and abdomen… Improves muscle tone and flexibility” and more

Other sellers suggest that their machine is equal to the ones in Vibration Studios and they quote academic study results from larger, higher force machines, often ones that have a completely different mode of action; studies from lineal (upright vibration) machines are frequently attached to low cost, low energy pivotal (see-saw action) machines.

Specifications are very often incorrectly stated, copied from the manufacturer’s papers which are in poorly translated English and confusing, but that, in my opinion, is no excuse for stating obviously incorrect figures.  Online retailers frequently state that a small, home model pivotal Vibration Therapy machine runs at 50Hz, that it vibrates 50 times a second or that it has 50 speed levels. This is blatently incorrect and if they thought about it for even a minute they would realise that the 50Hz relates to the power supply to the machine which in New Zealand is at 50Hz.  Some  even state alongside the 50 speed levels that it vibrates at 5-20Hz or similar.  I’m left wondering how they can state two conflicting figures alongside each other.

Then there’s one online New Zealand retailer that adds a disclaimer to his TradeMe auctions: IMPORTANT – we do not accept returns if you have simply changed your mind on this item or the item does not meet your expectation of what you orginally thought.

Retail Stores, such as fitness equipment stores, often advertise using the same incorrect specs and wording.  I’ve gone to stores and asked questions about machines and got responses telling me how amazing the (very low force and quality) machines are and how I will get fit, lose weight, gain muscle and become almost super-human in no time at all if I buy this machine.

I’ve written previously about T.V. advertorials – the same misinformation  is presented, along with testimonials; sometimes from people we recognise and thought we could trust.

It’s very much a matter of: Buyer Beware!

Talking about buyers the comments have included:

• So many people buy low energy home Vibration Machines thinking they are going to get really fit and strong, lose weight, gain muscle and get the look of a model, all by standing on the jiggly machine 10 minutes a day.
• Lazy people wanting a quick fix believe what the infomercials that tell them, that no effort is required, just stand on the machine while watching T.V.  it’s so easy.  They are so gulliable that they believe that the model or personal trainer shown in the infomercial got to look so good just because they use that machine.
• Some people do try harder to buy a machine that will give them results.  They might even get some benefit from their machine at first because they follow a program carefully but only a few weeks later they plateau and stop making gains.

Then what do these people do when they realise their cheap (or sometimes not so cheap), low quality machines are not going to give them the results they’d hoped for?

Many, and I’m tempted to say Most, sell them on – using the same dishonest advertising that tempted them to buy in the first place.  By this time they know it’s not the truth but hey, they were conned or maybe too lazy to really check out what they were buying, and now they want as much of their money back as possible.

I can’t understand how people can do this;  how so many can lie so easily.  Maybe online auctions make the whole sales process seem remote and selling to someone you don’t know somehow lets people feel okay about being dishonest but really, if you have been conned, how can you turn around so easily and con someone else?

And to the question: have I ever bought or sold a Vibration Machine on an online auction site?

Yes, I have. I bought a small DKN lineal vibration machine when I was learning about machine types and force. I wanted to see how well it worked for home use and just what could be achieved with it.  I knew what I was buying and only paid $NZ150, a reasonable price.  The seller was honest in the auction saying it had been bought for her father but as he was a fit, muscular man who enjoyed sailing; the machine was simply too low powered and also the platform was too small for him so they had bought a much larger medium force machine.  They warned me that the machine was low force.

I played with the little DKN machine for a few months putting myself, family and friends through the Vibra-Train safety program; as much as one can do with such a small, low to the ground machine.  I even bought a foam mat to use on the platform when hands or elbows were in contact with the spikey surface.  The machine had very limited use for my famly as we use Vibra-Train machines in the studio so we soon tired with it.  It’s only real use was for my husband to warm up before going for a 10 mile winter run and for this he found it okay.  So I on-sold it, again on an internet auction site, with honest wording, of course and I showed the buyer how to use it.  It was adequate for the buyer’s needs; useful  for gentle muscle stimulation and increased blood supply.

And, it’s really not so hard to be honest.

There’s a question/comment field and at times I use this to educate and correct sellers on the specifications and uses of the machine they are trying to sell as there’s so much misinformation. 

Cheap, low energy pivotal (teeter-totter/see-saw) machines are frequently listed as “amazing workout, builds muscle, lose weight. The same machines as in studios, just smaller”.  This is, of course, not true and those machines are Vibration Therapy machines useful for helping increase blood circulation and helping free up movement, depending on the actual machine – some are only useful to use the arms as a clothes hanger, not really much use at all.

Then there are mini lineal/upright Vibration Machines.  These can be quite useful especially for warm up and cool down before sports or going for a walk.  They can even be a good start into exercise and fitness, again it depends on the actual quality and type of machine.  You can’t generally trust the brand name of the machine as these change each week; huge runs of machines come off the production line in China and the same machines get stamped with many different names.

I have little sympathy for people who get duped and buy a home Vibration Machine for a few hundred dollars believing it will be just as good as the heavy, steel platformed, high energy lineal/upright Vibration Machines that are in Vibra-Train Studios.

Even the medium energy PowerPlate machines and FitVibe, Fit-X , and some BodyGreem machines that are found in studios, gyms, and beauty clinics are absolutely superior to the low price home models that are available on auction sites.

There are some workout quality home machines available – they cost more along with other differences and it’s essential that people do some “homework” and learn about the varying types of machines before they buy a home machine, carefully matching their needs and what results they want with the machine they choose to buy.

Expecting a $300 machine from TradeMe that is advertised with the same wording of advantages and results that accompany $20,000 Studio machines, to truely deliver those same results is a little crazy in my opinion.

One point that is made in almost all of the re-sale machines for online auction is that the seller hasn’t used the machine at all or used it only a handful of times.  Why, if it gives great results, don’t they use it? They even tell you sometimes – “I don’t have time to use it”.  This, I find laughable.  Programs for Home Vibration machines take 10 minutes or even up to 30 minutes three times a week.  For the pivotal (think Crazyfit brand or the currently advertised Gymform Vibromax) machines they tell you to stand on the machine for just 10 minutes every day.

(A little info here: make sure you are using the right program and frequency for the machine type you buy for home use)

So, the sellers of machines can’t find 10 minutes three times a week or, for pivotal machines, 10 minutes each day to use their machines so they are trying to sell them to you, telling you of all the supposed, amazing benefits you will get?

I’m going to suggest they are either

• Very lazy, too lazy to exercise at all?
• Involved with other exercise or sport and know that their low quality machine isn’t going to benefit them.
• Have used the machine about ten times and realise they were lied to, that it isn’t going to give the results they want and so they are trying to sell it on to you, complete with those same lies.
• They’ve started going to a Vibration Studio or they are using a machine at their gym and they know their cheap (well they might have paid quite a lot actually) unit is not so good as they thought when they bought it.

There are, of course, genuine sales; people moving overseas or long distance, those who really did use their machines and now have some other activity involvement, those who cannot contine for true medical reasons or pregnancy.  I hope those sellers honestly state the specifications, uses and benefits of the machine they are selling, sadly many exagerate.

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).

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

I apologise to any readers who have had their mail returned. You can write a feedback under any article or contact me directly. Your questions are welcome

or copy the email address from the image below

A New Video – Social Media case study on Vibra-Train.

Lloyd Shaw shares how he used social media and customer engagement to successfully launch his product and business.

Watch it here: vibra-train-tv-2/ or directly on YouTube: Social Media Case Study – Vibra-Train

Resonance Vibration Training Studio in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, U.K.

has New Zealand designed and manufactured Vibra-Train machines.  Click here to read an article in the local Bedford Today News and watch the video.

“we are Power Plate trainers, PRs, marketers, directors, customer service, sales assistants, educators and are here to answer questions and help people understand more about the Power Plate machine…. Our Power Plate trainers are busy instructing clients and advising programmes for them, however any specific training related questions are forwarded over to them.”

While this gives a little credibility to the twitter posts it’s a cop-out.  They are paid marketers using social media to promote a product.  Their posts are mostly statements about which model or movie star is using a PowerPlate and there’s a lot of “retweeting” of others posts, saying they’re planning or have done their workout.  There’s also some links to exercises videos.

I’ve yet to see any real questions asked and answered!  They are P.R. marketing people above all else. It was easy for me to find the P.R company they work for.  P.R. people are not “on the floor” trainers even if they’ve done a basic instructor course; what’s more the level 1 course is all about marketing.  Questions can be forwarded to trainers I don’t doubt that but then to have to wait for a reply, all via the marketing company; seems to me to be a very inefficient way to deal with queries.  I can answer your queries immediately in the studio or by phone or email.

I’m not against advertising or promotion; heck, I’m promoting Vibration Training every day with this website and in many conversations both in person and online but I’ll never be seen pushing the gossip that “..insert movie star or model name here..” uses the brand of machines that I work with.  They do!  I could list a “who’s who” of celebrities, models, media people and more but who cares? Vibration Training (on real, medium- high force machines) is for everyone; the stay at home mom, the elderly priest, the airline staff (we get a lot of these), the obese for whom it’s a lifesaver, the top personal trainers and sales staff from local gyms, athletes, students, those with disabilities and just about everyone else.

I can’t promise you’ll end up looking like a model or movie star if you train with me but I can promise that I’ll push you hard and encourage you (there’s nothing politically correct about our way of encouraging though – you may get a smile and kind words but you just might get told how much you “suck” and get shocked and shamed into doing better).

You, the reader, really can do the Safety Program, no excuses accepted.  If the 84 year old priest and the 200kg mom can do full 60 second positions on a high force machine then you can!   You’ll have a fully supervised session in a fun environment and get great results.

Call into any Vibra-Train Studio in New Zealand, Australia, and Ampthill, Bedfordshire, U.K. or read more of my blogs for more information.  There’s a contact link in the Welcome tab at the top of the page.

Recommended Vibration Training Information Websites:

www.vibra-train.com

www.vibration-training-advice.com

There’s a passion that some people have for the product they sell or work with and this comes through in what they write, especially on Twitter.  It’s so easy to see who really believes in what they are selling compared with those being paid to promote a product or service.

Even so, I missed seeing that the @powerplate girls were, in fact, P.R. people, simply doing a job, paid to promote a product, in this case the PowerPlate machine.

I really should have realised it earlier, watching their tweets about Cindy Crawford and other celebrities using the machines yet when I click over to the the various celebrities mentioned I find they have just trialed a machine or just mention it in passing.  Why it matters which celebrity uses your product I can’t understand but then many females and a smattering of males will follow blindly if they know an “important person” does something. The @powerplate girls also link to other social media sites with blogs and “exercise of then week” pictures and instructions.  I’ve got no problem with this, it just seemed that something was missing from their posts, some enthusiasm maybe, especially when posts were re-tweeted over and over by the other PowerPlate people.  Sometimes they post about their own experiences and they get excited; these tweets are more real.

The owners and instructors who work day by day with vibration machines and see their clients results are the ones whose posts I like to watch.  They show enthusiasm and that they enjoy what they are doing.

P.R people posting about a health and fitness product – well it says a lot doesn’t it!

Yes, you’ve read the title right.

Others have seen adverts on TV, on internet or in magazines.  Some come in commenting that they have bought “as seen on TV” fitness equipment before and it now sits in the spare room or a corner of the lounge unused except as an extra clothes hanger.  I assure them, we don’t sell home machines; we have very powerful commercial grade platforms in our studios where they will receive completely supervised training.

Sometimes people come in to try a studio machine before they consider buying a home model they’ve seen elsewhere.  I am able to give them a “no-sales talk ” free, trial session and also tell them of websites and people to talk to about their choice of home machine or continued studio sessions.

Where does “Lazy Women” come into this?

Some newcomers who have read about vibration training in magazines or on internet and specifically about PowerPlate brand have seen advertising which says, ” a revolution in health, anti-aging and beauty, a new way to receive health, strength and physical well-being, a wakeup call for your body and soul, 30 vibrations a second”  or “I lost 4 dress sizes in just 21 days”. It sounds so easy and many of these new customers are looking for a quick fix, no effort, easy answer to their lack of fitness or weight woes and they are genuinely shocked at how hard it is to hold perfect position on Vibra-Train machines for 60 seconds, not the wimpy 30 seconds on low force, plastic machines that some other companies offer.

There’s good reason for the program to be intense and hard work.

Vibra-Train machines are high force lineal platforms that cause a strong muscle response.  It must be this way to give the results that people want to see; toning, fitness, muscle build that supports the bones, fat-loss, and more.

We don’t have an option for people who want it easy!

So, why have I labelled this post ” Lazy Women” ?

A suprisingly high number of newcomers this Spring expect vibration training to be easy and simply dont continue coming when pushed to hold positions correctly.  Some complain that it’s too hard and continue expecting an easier option even after the physiology of  strength and muscle build is explained to them.  Maybe they were misled by false advertising of some other vibration companies but the biggest reason is pure laziness. Some women are mentally as well as physically weak and no amount of cajoling or presenting them with the truth that their lack of activity is going to seriously endanger their lives, makes a scrap of difference.  I can’t help these people.

In Vibration Training as in all fitness and sports – No Pain, No Gain – is the truth and it’s those who work hard that see great results.

Vibra-Train, Vibration Training Studios are in Auckland and throughout New Zealand.  Also in Perth and Townsville in Australia, and Bedfordshire, U.K.
Click here for studio locations.