Posts Tagged ‘Therapy’

Vibration Training Instructors

August 10th, 2010

In my last post I reported having many new customers coming into the Vibra-Train studio where I work.  This can make my day very exciting and also challenging as I instruct these new users and put them through The Safety Program, introducing them to safe and effective Pure Vibration Training and answering any questions they have.  I like to leave them with a great impression of what training on high-force, lineal machines can do for them – increasing their fitness and toning their body, along with strength increases and maybe fat-loss and much more, depending on what the person needs. The benefits are too many to list in one sentence!

We often talk about the different machine types and brands available and the Vibra-Train difference.

I worked on Sunday, and two new customers had specific back injuries that required me to make decisions about their ability to follow the standard safety program.  I have the option of giving them fully assisted (side vibrating handlebars) squats so that their lower back, hips, knees and ankles have even more support and allowing them work through the whole program; or, if necessary, they can do only the side handlebar assisted squats, that’s if their medical condition or severity of injury suggests they will be unable to do the regular program.

I have to make the choice.  I’ve gained experience in this and I can always refer back to Lloyd Shaw, the owner of Vibra-Train if I am really unsure but he expects me to be competent in this by now.  Sometimes I wait and and then decide  from how well they handle Position 1 – The Basic Squat – getting them to use the side handlebars instead of front ones, but even before that very first first position, I’ll be thinking and deciding as they’ve filled in a questionaire and we’ll have discussed their health or injury concerns.

Confidence is the thing -  I can make the right decisions for these customers.  I can decide if they can follow a Training program or is they need to start with Vibration Therapy.  It’s really not hard to decide!  I err on the side of caution but I don’t want to send a customer away disappointed because they could have done more.

Vibra-Train Vibra MachineSo, yesterday’s customers – one had a severe lower back problem and had expected to have surgery but was declined by our national accident insurance system.  Despite her injury being the result of an accident there was an element of degenerative plus overuse issues.  She was hoping her private medical insurance would help pay for the needed surgery and told me she was currently unable to lift up and carry her 18 month old toddler.  It was quickly obvious that she was not able to work through the full program so she did a simple set of side handlebar assisted squats and will come back in few days to tell us how she felt afterwards and then we may increase what she does – She did Vibration Therapy.

The other customer with lower back and knee pain arrived later in the day.  Her injuries resulted from years of working in childcare squatting on the floor while she played with children and picking them up from the ground.  I thought she would be able to do the full Safety Program using the side handlebars for support in the squat positions.  Then as my boss walked into the studio I decided to ask his advice.  Lloyd (my boss) took over and put the customer through the program and I observed.  She did the full program – Vibration Training. I noticed she was putting her body weight onto her toes not balanced onto heels and toes.  This was what was causing her back and knee pain as it was the way she regularly squatted down when playing with young children.  Lloyd pointed this out to her and told her how much she would benefit from the Vibra-Train Safety Program; with an instructor supervising her sessions she would quickly learn to keep her heels down and take the pressure off her knees, also keeping her back neutral and relaxed.

I love it when I see Vibration Training giving such benefits that will change a young person’s life so dramatically. I’m excited to be able to watch this new customer’s progress.

More FAT people, Morbidly Obese people need help.

June 17th, 2010

Wow, I expect to get flack for even daring use this title for my article but it has to be said often so that we all take notice – In my country and in many others we have a serious obesity problem.  No, let me rephrase that – we have a seriously large number of clinically and morbidy obese people and that causes many problems – actually for those people and for us all.

It’s no good criticising a person who is obese, that solves nothing!  How they got that way isn’t the issue. We do need to look at the causes and move to prevention but for those already obese, they need help to lose fat and regain control over their lives.

Last night I watched a New Zealand TV documentary about the need to provide stomach stapling operations.  They have a high sucess rate and are life-saving for manyof the people who have them.  The program profiled some of the people who are unable to get this operation because they live in parts of New Zealand where the district health board does not provide it and no matter how much they plead neighbouring health boards will not agree to help them.  This “sucks!”; to use a local slang term. These people are not able to get the potentially life saving help they need.

Well I have some good news for people who need help to lose fat; all who are overweight, clinically obese (as I was just a few years ago), and those who have become morbidly obese – Vibration Training can help. It’s really effective as a start to exercise and then ongoing to provide strength and fitness.  Depending on the quality and type of machine used results vary and I recommend that people try to get into a specialised studio but not every area has Vibration Training studios.  Home machines though can be great as a start if you buy the right one and there’s lots of help and information available.

Vibra-Train Vibra MachineA good place to get info is www.vibration-training-advice.com There are many articles for consumers and also more detailed ones for those in the fitness or health industries and anyone who wants to understand more. There’s also a forum where questions can be asked so that info in the articles can be explained if needed.

Of course, my website also has many simple, short articles that provide entry level information.

Vibration Training is safe and effective for overweight and obese people.  It is however essential to get the help of a trainer who works with these machines or to learn about the positions and safety before using the machine at home.  Never be afraid to ask for help and don’t just rely on the page of instructions that may come with the machine you might buy.

For upright vibration/lineal machines the Vibra-Train Safety Program is the standard.  If the program is too difficult or a simpler start is wanted, the user can do an assisted squat, holding onto whatever handlebars the machine has, and simply repeat that position a number of times. It’s all about getting started, increasing blood flow and mobility.

For pivotal/see-saw motion machines there’s no standard program; the user can simply stand on the machine, perform a slight or deeper squat or other positions that they are able to hold.

Read the websites, ask for help and get started. Some Vibration Studios even offer sponsored or subsidised sessions for people with morbid obesity or other life-threatening conditions.  The first step can be just a phone call.

Depending on the quality and type of machine used results vary and I recommend that people try to get into a specialised studio but not every area has Vibration Training studios.  Home machines though can be great as a start if you buy the right one and there’s lots of help and information available.A good place to get info is www.vibration-training-advice.com There are many articles for consumers and also more detailed ones for those in the fitness or health industries and anyone who wants to understand more. There’s also a forum where questions can be asked so that info in the articles can be explained if needed.

Of course, my website also has many simple, short articles that provide entry level information.

The Gymform Vibromax TV Advertorial

May 12th, 2010

Basic Squat on Bullet Vibra-Train MachineA year ago I wrote an article which was published firstly on blogcritics website and later on www.vibration-training-advice.com.  It was titled “An Elite Athlete Discovers Vibration Training” and followed the sucesses of Teneka, a New Zealand personal trainer who added “high energy, lineal Vibration Training” to her already extensive workout program and went on to win Body Sculpting titles.  She stated that it was the x-factor, her training at Vibra-Train that gave her the edge in strength and body shape, over her competitors.

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).

Gymform Vibromax Pivotal Vibration MachineWe 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

Disabilities and Vibration Machines in the Studio

February 18th, 2010

Some of the customers at the Vibra-Train studio where I work have disabilities.  No, I don’t just mean they don’t listen when I instruct them or forget the poses from one session to the next I mean they have real physical and/or mental disabilities and they come in two or three times a week (same as other customers) to workout on the vibration machines or to do a vibration therapy session.

One of these customers has been very regular lately, coming three times each week no matter if he’s feeling well or having a “bad” day where he can barely get out of bed.  On Wednesday he came into the studio very slowly, stooped over and saying he hadn’t come the previous day as he’d been too unwell but he didn’t want to miss his session so he’d come in today despite quite bad muscle aches from his condition.

While I can feel some empathy I didn’t dwell on his illness instead telling him firmly, “Okay, now get onto the machine and let’s do your work-out”.

Later he thanked me and said that’s the reason he’d come in despite feeling very achy.  He knew he’d get no special treatment or allowances from me but would be expected to do the Safety Program to the best of his ability.  In his case he is only able to do a Basic Squat position supported by holding onto the side handlebars of the Level 2 Vibra machine.  Because of his condition he can’t always manage the 60 seconds of the squat so we do as long as he can hold the position perfectly with three repeats.  This means he drives his car or gets someone else to drive him 20km across town for just three times 30-60 second squats.

What does this tell you?  Obviously Vibration Therapy is working for him.

And yesterday he thanked me for pushing him so hard, for expecting him to put in his best effort and for not dwelling on what he can’t do but on what he can.  He’s come to understand that he will feel discomfort during the squats on the machines but that this is no different to what every customer feels.  In many ways he’s simply a regular customer. And the bonus of expecting his best effort yesterday, he asked for and was able to do a fourth squat position instead of the three he normally does.  He left feeling fatigued but mentally enlivened, knowing he’d have to rest for a few hours but would feel more flexible and alert the next day.  This is the benefit for him, not a cure but a way to strengthen weakened muscles and a path to improved overall fitness physically and mentally.

Monkey Business

October 1st, 2009

monkeyIt’s been said that a monkey could be trained to be a Vibration Training Instructor.  So does that mean instructors don’t ever have to think?

Not at all!  The statement that a monkey could be taught to instruct reflects the simplicity of the 1-2-3-4 steps that are necessary to get into each position on the machine.

Push Up:

  1. Kneel in front of unit.
  2. Place hands on outside edge of mat.
  3. Drop pelvis so a straight line is made between knees and shoulders.
  4. When machine starts, drop body halfway towards plate.  Make sure hands are in line with chest, not shoulders.
  5. Look down towards knees (very important) as looking up even for a second can cause stress to neck area.
  6. Hold pose and relax for duration of exercise.

The Instructor’s job begins before the customer ever gets near the machine.  For a newcomer there’s the pre-training health screen to be filled in and discussed, then a quick introduction to vibration training before the customer begins their session.  Regular customers get a greeting and a quick catch up if they haven’t been in for a while.

It’s very important that customers tell the instructor of any injuries or health concerns they have so the instructor can be vigilant in watching over them in poses that might impact on those areas; if necessary correcting them or even moving them to an alternate version of the position, or to another machine.   An example of this is using a machine with side handle bars for support when a customer has a knee injury; when using the Safety Program the position, known as “Ski the Slopes” (the position resembles a skier going downhill) replaces the regular “Super Squat”.  Using side handle bars allows the customer with knee injury to maintain perfect position and get full benefit from training.  With a perfect 110° vibration training squat they are helping their knees to heal and their core to strengthen.

So could a trained monkey work as a vibration training instructor? Just to assist most customers into correct position, the answer would have to be, yes!

One big difference between a trained monkey and a good instructor is the ability to ensure customers with special needs get the attention they need and so get all the benefits of vibration training or therapy without risk.  I doubt a monkey is able to do this.  In the future will we see studios with just one human instructor and a staff of intelligent androids?

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.

What’s wrong with this pose?

February 9th, 2009
Girl on Vibration Machine

Girl on Vibration Machine

Type Vibration Training into Google to read articles about Machines, Training and Therapy, what a vibration training program looks like, weightloss, and more.  The site invites questions and discussion.

You’ll soon learn how to evaluate a machine for your specific needs and also a lot about vibration exercise programs.

So what’s wrong with the picture at right?  I don’t know the machine brand so I wont comment on that except to say that Straps are basically a waste of time.  You pull on the straps while the platform vibrates and that works out your arms – well that’s the reasoning but you wont be pulling the straps evenly so each arm will be getting a different force plus you will tire and lessen your pull so that’s even less force. My suggestion is to use the straps with the machine turned off.

How long will it be before manufacturers design machines with side handle bars and do away with straps?

» Read more: What’s wrong with this pose?

I was a test dummy and I’m so excited!

January 25th, 2009

dreamstime_968714A few days ago I was privileged to try out a test machine,

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)

Pivotal Vibration Therapy that works!

January 25th, 2009

My friends know how much I hate pivotal vibration machines.  You know the ones,  “As seen on TV”  crazyfit, crazyhorse, crazyvibe and just plain crazy in my opinion.  The first machine I tried was one of these and quite a good quality one.  I was impressed and saw the possibilities but I hated the sensation. It vibrated through my head – the frequency used was way too high.  It hurt my shoulders when I knelt on the floor and put my arms on the machine is a semi-pushup position.

Pulse Trainer

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

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