Posts Tagged ‘Provider’

Does Vibration Training really work?

March 4th, 2010

Checking the statistics for my website this is the term most searched for.  So I could simply answer, YES,  it really does work  but that doesn’t really answer the question does it?

Does Vibration Training work for _ _ _ _ ? You, the reader, need to insert the missing word here.

I’m so passionate about Vibration Training and what I see on a daily basis as an Instructor that I’m inclined to say YES, YES, whatever missing word you insert, Vibration Training works  BUT, in reality, I’m not so naiive.  I’ve even heard a lady ask if doing Vibration Training will cure her body of cancer.  She seemed to think that the vibrations might re-set her body onto a healing path.  Alas, no, while her theory sounds good there are some things that Vibration Training cannot do or if it does we are not willing to take the risks involved to find out.  Vibration Training is not recommended for people with active cancer as it improves blood circulation throughout the whole body and while that carries nutrients it also possibly increases the risk of spread of disease.

Vibration Training is also not recommended for people with pacemakers.  This is in line with keeping away from electro-magnetic currents.  I know the machines I work with at Vibra-Train have sheilded motors, nevertheless this is an industry safeguard so we simply don’t these people to use the machines.  And we don’t allow women who are pregnant to use the machines, not that we have any evidence that it’s dangerous but we simply don’t know.

So, leaving aside these known contra-indications and all the short-term reasons not to train (like influenza, recent surgery, recent broken bones) I can confidently say, Vibration Training is great, it works!

But again, it works for what?

Firstly what do you want to achieve? Is it gentle stimulation of a previously injured body part?  Is it muscle strength and power?  Is it speed or endurance to help with your next sports event? Is it general fitness and feeling good?  Do you want to bulk up yet strip off fat?  Are you a busy mother wanting to simply lose a few pounds of weight and increase your sense of well being?

Your results are determined by various factors -  including the type and quality of the machines you use and the program of positions you use on the machines.  I recommend the Vibra-Train Safety Program for use with lineal (upright) machines in studios and at home.  It can be difficult to do some of the poses if you are using a small, low to the ground home model but as far as possible you can follow the program and I am happy to help with any questions.  An essential accessory for home (and studio) machines is a rubber mat to place onto the machine platform to protect hands, elbows, and sometimes even the feet from the rough or bubbly surface that machines have and to assist with grip and placement.  To choose the right machine type or brand and when deciding to buy a home machine or to use a specific vibration studio or possibly a machine in your local gym or health studio I advise people to get all the information they can get before committing your money.  Read the relevant articles on my website and others and ask lots of questions of salespeople, then check their answers against what you already know and as trite as it sounds, use common sense.  If the claims are beyond belief, they are most likely, untrue.

Then it’s up to you – Follow the safety program three times a week or maybe twice if you already have an intensive weights program that you use.  Eat sensibly without going into excesses of dieting or supplementation.  Your results will be exciting, make sure you track them by a diary entry or a short note in a notebook.

Yes, Vibration Training works – It works very well. Making it work is up to you, the reader, by choosing the right equipment for your needs, following an excellent whole body vibration training program, and being dedicated to your workout sessions.  You can even get away with pizza for dinner occaisionally.

Links: Vibra-Train Safety Program, Vibration-Training-Advice

Lazy Women! and

December 3rd, 2009

welcome, summer!Yes, you’ve read the title right. It’s Springtime here in New Zealand and each day new customers come into the Vibra-Train Auckland City Studio for their first, free, trial session.  Some have heard about vibration training from their friends or workplace colleagues and they know what to expect.

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.

www.vibration-training-advice.com

September 28th, 2009

Remember to visit the industry’s new Vibration Training Advice Website:

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.

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!

Vibra-Train — The Vibration Training Specialists

March 21st, 2009

A few months ago I wrote about Pivotal Vibration Machines.  In the article I said, “the machines I use are lineal vibration machines in a Vibra-Train Studio”.

pic-bullet-superman-squatVibra-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)


Who Can You Trust?

February 18th, 2009

pic-strength

You can trust this guy!

The Vibration Training Industry needs to come clean.  There’s still so much misinformation, so many misleading claims for home machines.  There’s lies and more lies about brands of Studio machines, brand and geographical area rights, types and specs of machines, programs, and benefits – what the user will achieve.  So much of the “lower spec machine” marketing is simply to make “fast money”.

Lloyd Shaw is the founder of Vibra-Train and has set up the International Vibration Training Regulating Body (IVTRB).  You can trust him to tell you the truth in published articles and to give honest answers to your questions.

(above pic used with permission. Copyright to vibra-train.com)

Buying a Refrigerator (Or a Vibration Machine)

January 26th, 2009
Fridge

Fridge

I needed a new Refrigerator. I spent hours reading advertisements in newspapers and magazines. I visited at least six stores looking at fridge types and asking lots of questions. I even remembered to measure the space the new fridge had to fit into. Once I’d decided on two or three possible fridges to buy I asked more questions specific to the fridge and the freezer sections as I’d decided a dual Fridge/Freezer suited my needs best. Now, one year later, I am very happy with my new fridge and it does all I needed it to do.

Why do people buy Vibration Machines without the same amount of care ??? I keep hearing, “I bought a XYZ brand Vibration Machine and now I’m not sure how to use it”; “Is CrazyXYZ a good machine?”; “Why does my ABCFitZ machine move on the floor when it’s turned on?”; “I’m using my XFitXYZ machine every day. Why do I feel so ill?”  and similar questions.

The answer to all of these is: Do your homework before you buy! If you plan to use a Studio don’t buy a one month plan on your first visit. Trial the Studio and ask questions!

(Pic  © www.dreamstime.com)

Choosing a Vibration Studio isn’t as easy

January 18th, 2009

Choosing a Vibration Training Studio isn’t as easy as just turning up at your closest provider. It’s important to visit all the studios you can and to ask questions about the machines and the program used.  Most providers offer the first session free so you can assess it.  You will be asked to fill in a questionnaire asking your reasons and goals for Vibration Training and you need to clearly state any injuries (present or past) and medical problems you have.  From this information a proficient Instructor will tell you if you can proceed or if you need to get medical clearance first.  Also they can advise alternative positions you will use on the machines if a regular position is contraindicated.  Some people start with a Therapy program to target injured or weak areas of the body and then move onto a Training (fitness/strength) program. » Read more: Choosing a Vibration Studio isn’t as easy