Posts Tagged ‘health’

Basic Rules for using a Vibration Machine – Part 1

August 19th, 2009

PowerPlateThis morning I took a call from a lady who had just started going to a PowerPlate Vibration Studio in another city.  She had some questions about using the machines and as they are basic to all machines I’ve decided to answer them in this article.

Her concern and main question was how to prevent getting headaches after using the machines.  Despite having an instructor take her through the program she found that very soon after the session she developed a headache or dizziness.  She wanted to continue training as she could see the value of it but her questions were not being answered at the studio and she felt a little rushed through the program.

I answered her question with a question; did she realise that she must eat before going to the PowerPlate studio?

Vibration Training is intensive, short period exercise.  As such it depletes the body’s blood sugars very quickly.  It’s unlike other exercise where the liver releases glycogen (sugar) into the bloodstream as needed.  There simply isn’t time for that process to occur.  So the starting point is to have eaten (a banana is a good choice) and you can eat as you walk in the door of the studio without feeling nauseous during the session.

The second “rule” is to ensure that adequate water is drunk during and after the session.  This rehydrates the body and helps eliminate toxins and waste.  Vibration Training helps with lymphatic drainage so drinking water is the end part of this process.

Thirdly, vibration exercise gives a “feel-good” feeling due to a rise in serotonin levels in the blood and into the brain.  This neurotransmitter helps reduce fatigue and pain, regulates the onset of sleep, reduces food cravings and generally calms and encourages well-being.  It’s important to remember to eat after your Vibration Training session and I advise protein foods to help with muscle growth.  I doubt anyone feels so ecstatic after their training session that they don’t eat all day but a reminder is needed as, I’ve already said, blood glucose levels will be depleted.

It’s part of the instructor’s job to make sure customers know and follow these “rules”.

Older Women and Vibration Machines with Side Handle Bars

August 14th, 2009

It feels like spring in New Zealand as the air temperature has risen and we’ve had blue skies this week.  Alas, it’s only August and there’s more cold and wet weather ahead before we get to enjoy the long balmy days of summer.

This week has seen an lot of newcomers coming into the studio for their first free trial visit and some of these have been older women.  These women tell me their reasons for coming in; improved mobility, fat-loss, fitness and general well-being.  Some say they want to ensure their bones remain strong and prevent osteoporosis.  It’s exciting to get these women into the studio as they are usually not sports oriented but have lived active lives and now having slowed down a little they recognise the need to rebuild fitness or they simply want to keep the muscle strength they already have.

Ski The Slopes Vibra-TrainI feel privileged to work for Vibra-Train as we have a vibration platform that’s perfect for these women to use.  It’s called the Vibra (or Vibra-Train) and as well as the platform having upward vibration it has vibrating  side handlebars.  This machine’s handlebars were specifically designed for people who find it difficult to hold a 110 degree angled squat position.  By holding the side handlebars users are able to push down with their arms to take some pressure off the quad muscles (the thighs) while  more easily holding their body in the correct squat position.  » Read more: Older Women and Vibration Machines with Side Handle Bars

Balancing Hormones 4 – Estrogen Dominance

July 20th, 2009

For women who have Estrogen Dominance, Polycystic Ovaries, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or just have a menstrual cycle that isn’t regular, Vibration Training can be just the “boost” that’s needed to normalise.  Add in all the emotional imbalances that often accompany these conditions and it can seem like a lifesaver.

It’s all about Balance

The endocrine system is defined as “a system of glands that involve the release of extracellular signaling molecules known as hormones”.  Basically, this means that very small changes in the hormones released by the endocrine system affects cells in other parts of the body.

People with hormonal imbalances often avoid exercise.  Reasons for this vary from being overweight, feeling depressed or anxious, through to just plain dislike of anything resembling exercise.  Knowing that it’s beneficial simply isn’t enough when a person lacks real motivation but if they understand that exercise of any sort and especially resistance exercise can help balance their hormones and help relieve the associated problems it’s hard to find a reason not to start.

So how does the hormonal system reach balance?  There’s a lot involved in this from the simplicity of improved blood circulation so that nutrients are carried efficiently, to the release of fat from fat cells for use as fuel, producing weightloss and building muscle if high energy machines are used.

The changes in chemicals in the brain, increased seretonin which can improve mood and also help encourage good sleep, increases in human growth hormone and testosterone which together encourage elevated mood, muscle growth, bone density increase, improved skin texture and tone and higher energy levels.  Other chemical changes also occur in the brain and body and all together these help bring balance plus women tell us they have improved energy levels so they do more of other activities and eat better and soon they find their hormonal conditions improving.

is a system of glands that involve the release of extracellular signaling molecules known as hormones

The Cost of Training

July 19th, 2009

The media tells us we are in the midst of a ressession.  The supermarket tell us that a loaf of bread now costs 10 cents more than last week and the price of fresh fruit has gone “sky high”.

So what about the cost of exercise; dreamstimefree_1074407

the cost of being in a sports team, the cost of the gym, of the vibration training studio?  When I worked in a gym and the membership price was increased a significant number of people cancelled their membership.  So now, when everyone is affected by higher prices but with little or no wage increases, or their own business isn’t making as much money, what to do about the cost of exercise?

Firstly, the decision needs to be made – to continue or not?  Weighing up the health and fitness benefits of exercise with the costs involved and also time management; finding the time to exercise on a regular basis.  Once that decision is made and a person has committed to some form of regular exercise it’s important to look at the cost.

Vibration Training in a studio format is generally low cost and very time efficient. It’s hard work and demanding on the body but  only for a very short time period of around 15 minutes and the benefits are huge.

Prices vary somewhat and can depend on what services are offered but many studios offer one-on-one or small group training with an instructor for just $7-10 U.S.  This represents very good value and when training two or three times a week it’s much less than working out with a Personal Trainer at the gym.  In New Zealand the price for a Vibra-Train studio session is just $10 with concession cards and a weekly access fee system available to make the price even less.  The customer is in full control of their spend as we have no memberships and operate on the basis of just turning up at the studio as the quick time frame and multiple machines mean there’s rarely, if ever, a wait.

Another option I saw recently in a local advertising brochure is a Hire Machine  (it was BodyGreen brand in this advert) for N.Z.$40,  (U.S.$26), per week.  I quickly saw that at three times a week (and you can’t train more often than this on a regular basis without detriment) this is $10 higher than the highest price for studio based training with an Instructor. Add in more charges for delivery and later for pickup,

I know which option I’d choose!

Balancing Hormones 3 – Libido

July 14th, 2009

I was asked if Vibration Training could lift a woman’s libido.

It’s a good question and the simple answer is Yes but of course there’s so much more involved.  There are so many reasons that women avoid sexual involvement and some of these reasons will not be solved by a simple “shake-up” on a vibration machine a few times each week.  It would be every man’s dream come true if it were so and I’m sure we ladies could easily get our partners to pay for our Vibration Training costs as they would benefit greatly.

Leaving aside emotional and psychological reasons for loss of libido, we have physical and mental tiredness which has many causes.  Even just “life”, the ongoing daily demands that can bring on fatigue and loss of energy, can cause loss of interest in sexual activity especially if it is seen as another “chore” at the end of a busy day rather than a time of mutual pleasure and refreshment.  This is where exercise and taking time out for oneself can help.

dreamstimefree_407008I’ve only had one woman tell me she has increased libido since she came to Vibra-Train but it’s not exactly a topic of regular conversation in the studio in the mornings, unlike the afternoons when there is a  male instructor and the conversation is often about libidinous, sensual desires.  » Read more: Balancing Hormones 3 – Libido

Balancing Hormones 2 – Growing Younger

July 12th, 2009

Vibration Training on high energy machines give many benefits; among them is “Growing Younger”.  No, its not a magic elixir of youth but the hormonal changes that take place cause changes in the body that are consistent with being a younger age.

Increased muscle mass, as measured on the hospital grade Body Composition Analyser Machine we have in the studio, supports the bones and along with the increased blood flow that occurs with training, we see a reduction in the amount of bone mass loss that occurs naturally with increased age.

dreamstimefree_1520860Also as the hormonal system regulates and balances to normal we see amazing results for women who are perimenopausal; a time when ovarian hormone production is fluctuating and declining.  These woman often report that their hormonal cycle has once again settled into a monthly pattern with return of regular menstruation.  This can be embarrasing for them to mention to a trainer but they want to know if vibration training is the reason.

We tell them, Yes, it is; and before they run for the hills, annoyed that the dreaded “curse” has returned apon them, we tell them that they can’t grow younger without the return of a younger hormonal cycle and that they should not be concerned as it will all settle.  In fact they will feel better with less hot flushes and probably an improvement from the sudden mood swings that can accompany menopause.

I’m not going to try to explain how these changes take place, simply I will say, it’s all about hormonal balance.  I have experienced it myself and have several women customers who have talked to me about this.

Balancing Hormones 1 – Pregnant at Last!

July 10th, 2009

bullet basic squatOne of the benefits that vibration training providers talk about is that it balances out your hormones.  They talk about increased serotonin (gives a happy, satisfied feeling after training and can aid with restful sleep), increases in Human Growth Hormone and more.  This all sounds wonderful, maybe; really most people have no idea what the salesperson is going on about and are reticent to ask.  You can try asking but unless you are talking to someone who is there to do more than just sell you a machine you’ll just get more sales talk with figures or percentages thrown at you.

So let’s see if we can do better here and get a little understanding of  what “Balancing your Hormones” means.

Firstly a qualifier; you must be using a high quality platform to get the benefits that are so readily touted by marketers of vibration machines.  Please refer to my other articles to read about finding a quality Studio or Buying a machine for home use.

It might be that the title of this article caught your attention and you’ve read this far without any mention of pregnancy so here it is:

Becoming pregnant when otherwise it hasn’t happened is not a benefit that marketers will tell you about.  For one thing it might scare people away!  Can you imagine the local health authorities insisting that machines be labelled, “Ensure adequate contraceptive measures are taken when using machines”.

All laughter aside, there have been a number of reports of women becoming pregnant within weeks of starting vibration training.  What’s so amazing about this is that the women who report this tell us they have been trying for years and some have had other interventions that haven’t worked.  It seems that the vibrations act as an “unblocker”, possibly clearing blocked fallopian tubes which allows for greater egg mobility.  Thinking about it the vibrations might also encourage maturity and release of the egg from the sac on the surface of the ovary.  An interesting unrelated point is that photography has recently shown that the release of the egg isn’t instantaneous as was thought but it takes around 15 minutes to emerge from it’s fluid filled sac.

For now it’s just conjecture on how vibration training aids the possibilty of pregnancy.  Customers of Vibra-Train and other HyperVibe attest that it does!

It’s cold today and still the customers come in

July 9th, 2009

It’s very cold today and even in the studio I’m finding it hard to stay warm. Customers seem to arrive in groups with quiet times inbetween and today, I’m rather unmotivated in the quieter periods although I have cleaned the studio. The small amount of cold air that comes under the glass doors keeps chilling me and I’m looking forward to taking a walk in the sunshine after lunch.

The cold has not stopped regular customers from coming in though and even the elderly priest who comes in twice a week has driven across town to do his Vibra-Train session. I’ve noticed a big improvement in his abilities over the past three months. Not only is holding better position when using the Vibra-Train machine, his mental capacity has improved and he’s brighter, and now remembers the order of the program. I make sure he’s in perfect position for each of the 60 second poses and then at the end of the program he holds a 3 minute “ski-the-slopes” position. The wall chart states 2 minutes for this final position and many people only manage 1 minute but our infamous studio priest puts many of the younger, stronger customers to shame by holding excellent position throughout a whole 180 seconds.

Father D. is a man of average to solid build, in his 80’s and he’s an inspiration to other studio customers. At an age when some would be resting all day he still attends to parish duties and keeps fit with regular vibration training sessions. He’s also proof that vibration training on high energy lineal machines is effective for all ages. He never misses his sessions.

Cardio as part of a fat-loss program

July 3rd, 2009

We now have a treadmill and an exercycle at the Vibra-Train studio where I work.  This is available to customers after their vibration training session.  The treadmill is set for incline walking and customers can use it for 20 minutes of easy walking to aid their fitness and fat-loss.

dreamstime_8066223Of course this increases the time that customers need to spend in the studio so it wont suit those who rush in to train on their way to work but it’s great for those who have more time available.

It’s wintertime in New Zealand so the treadmill looks set to get a lot of use.  I’d much rather take my walk along the harbourside looking out at the yachts and enjoying the fresh air and health benefits of being outdoors but not if I’m going to get rained on so I’m also using the treadmill a few times a week.  I plan to up that to 5 or 6 times as I’ve stopped my outdoor walking program and I’ve noticed my weight has increased with less exercise taking place so I’m going to do the same program we’re giving to customers; vibration training plus cardio, 20 minutes on the treadmill, three times a week.  Working in the studio I’ll also be able to use the treadmill two or three extra times each week.

Vibration Training alone gives great toning benefits and fat-loss but for cardiac fitness walking, biking (outdoors or on an exercycle), swimming, or playing with the children are all good choices.

Vibration Training for people with disabilities

June 23rd, 2009

A mother and her adult son are frequent visitors to the vibration training studio where I work.

For the mother it’s a chance to have just a little time-out while doing her work-out as I work with her son.  Mother gains all the benefits of vibration training on the level 2 high force platform named the Bullet while her son uses the platform that has side handlebars.

It’s a slow process as Jack (name changed to protect identity) walks across the room taking in his suroundings.  He’s very tall and sometimes walks with a slight stoop.  An obsession with spaceships and travel makes for interesting, if sometimes a little incoherant, conversation.  When he reaches the machine he steps up very slowly and deliberately and gets into position to do an assisted squat; assisted as he uses the side handlebars to help support his weight, taking some of the pressure of his hips and legs, and also helping him stay in position as his disabilities make him less able.

Jack is easy to work with and is able to do about half of the regular program.  He tries to get into each position correctly and I take care to be slow and careful with him, talking to him as I know he understands me even though he babbles on about other things some days.  He likes to look over at the reception desk and is interested in the computer screen.

When he finishes his workout on the lineal vibration machine including as many repeats of the assisted squat as he is able and willing to do, some times three or four, Jack walks back across the room, this time holding his head up high and his body more upright, and he then stands on a small pivotal platform for 5-10 minutes.  This also helps with his posture and walking ability and his mother told me that the program overall is helping deter nocturnal enuresis.

Vibration Training and Therapy is very helpful for Jack.