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.

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 machines Debbie has are the HyperVibe platform. These are controlled premium speed pivotal machines. Debbie holds classes for muscle toning, weightloss, overall body workout and more. Her customers range from athletes to the elderly and she runs classes for up to 5 people or private sessions.

HyperVibe Pivotal Vibration Machine (pic used with permission)

Murray Seaton, the General Manager of HyperVibe, had dared me to try out his machines as I’d previously written that Pivotal Vibration was suitable for Therapy and Light Training only. Murray told me that his machines were definitely work-out models and that he’d told Debbie to “go hard” and to give me a gruelling session.

I was still recovering from a shoulder injury and when I arrived at the studio, very tired after an early morning flight from Auckland, so I was just a little concerned. My previous experience of large pivotal machines was not at all positive as the machine had an uncontrolled rapid see-saw effect that made me feel dizzy.

I’m pleased to report that my experience was very good. HyperVibe machines run at a tested, controlled frequency of 6-28Hz and 11mm peak to peak amplitude. This means that the see-saw effect is so fast that the machine feels quite similar to pivotal/vertical vibration and, Murray, I agree, your machines definitely give a workout. I used the machine on approx 25Hz and hesitated in doing more than simple squats due to my injuries and tiredness. My friend did a more rigorous workout including single-leg squats and push-ups. Next day we both felt a little sore which was the only negative as we don’t get this from the Vibra-Train Studio vertical platforms we regularly use.  HyperVibe machines can also be purchased for home use.

Visit the HyperVibe Australia Website for more information:  www.hypervibe.com.au

or Debbie at Beach Body Vibe

]]> http://www.vibeplus.com/2009/05/13/hypervibe-premium-speed-pivotal-vibration-machines/feed/ 0 http://www.vibeplus.com/2009/05/05/tough-guys-2/ http://www.vibeplus.com/2009/05/05/tough-guys-2/#comments Mon, 04 May 2009 21:06:26 +0000 Di Heap http://www.vibeplus.co.nz/content/?p=410 Two other tough guys who come into the Vibra-Train City Studio and are worthy of congratulations as they work-out very hard.

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.

a pivotal vibration machine with vibrating handlebars.

It was very smooth. Standing upright on it I didn’t felt like I was moving at all – a big plus for me as I’ve never liked the see-saw motion of pivotal machines.

And, It could be made to give more sensation by using varied frequencies.

The best part though was the Vibrating Handlebars.  I currently have nerve and muscle injury to both arms, left one is worse and I can’t lift it above my head. The vibrations from this test pivotal vibration machine felt so good in my arms awakening sensation and relieving pain.  This is not a usual feature of pivotal machines where the vibrations barely reach up to the hips when standing on the machine.

This machine would be ideal in a Physical Therapists office and, maybe one day, in Vibration Studios.

(Pic  © www.dreamstime.com)

Pulse Trainer

The machines I use the most are lineal, Vibra-Train, machines in a Vibra-Train studio. 
There’s one good quality pivotal machine in the studio; It’s a Pulse Trainer and I’ve been forcing myself to use it at least once a week.  If I’m going to understand pivotal vibration, to recomend it to people, then I figured I’d better learn to like it myself.  I have been pleasantly suprised  but it’s taken a few months to get used to it.  It’s just a personal thing as I just dislike the sensation and it screws with my balance.  I can now last 8 minutes out of the 10 minutes recommended standing upright on this machine.

Benefits?  Well I probably haven’t used it often enough to comment greatly but it does cause some strong sensation in the pelvic area after about 5 minutes of use.  This helps older people with walking ability – I’m not that old yet so I haven’t noticed any change *laughs*.  It has benefits for any women especially those, like me, who have had large babies and can get a little bladder leakage when coughing, laughing or running.  It’s by far more fun that all those pelvic floor exercises that Physios and Health Nurses recommend.

If you are going to use a pivotal vibration machine make sure you use one that is top quality, not a little , cheap, lightweight machine that walks across the floor with each vibration and can’t cope with user weight over 80Kg.

I recommend the Pulse Trainer machine for home use. It’s small enough to sit in the corner of the lounge and it looks good. This machine is the only one currently available that can be set to pivotal or lineal vibration by just pressing a few buttons.

Pic. used with permission.  © www.pulsetrainer.co.nz