Posts Tagged ‘Weight-loss’

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Vibration Training – not just about looking good

January 29th, 2010

Want to know more about me?Fern Frond - strength

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One morning I was explaining to a customer how Vibration Training helps with fat-loss and she remarked (with a grin) that maybe it wasn’t working so well for me. Then the next day I read a forum comment about an Instructor who looked like they ate too many “pies and gravy”. While this wasn’t directed at me I began to think about what Vibration Training really does for weight-loss and what it had already done for me. I’ve experienced life changing results so I’m not fazed by these comments but I want people to know the truth …

Will Vibration Training help you lose weight? What can you really expect?

vibration-training—not-just-about-looking-good

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New Year – Back to Vibration Training Part 2

January 19th, 2010

Who are our Customers?

Happy People JumpingOver the Christmas weeks the Vibra-Train studio where I work remained open each day with  short hours in the morning and afternoon so customers were able to continue their training  sessions.  Many took advantage of this and have continued through into the New Year.  Others went on holiday or had time off their training to be with family.  This group included many mothers as Christmas/New Year coincides with 5-6 weeks of junior school holidays in New Zealand.  Some of these moms have returned to the studio now; some bringing their children along and I’ve found them all to be very well behaved; the children that is, the moms don’t always do as they are told!

Most of our customers who work in local businesses and come to train in their lunchhour have returned along with those who train before or after work and students who come on  their way to university.  I’ve heard many grumbles that “it’s hard” but the grumbles are usually accompanied with laughter as customers know the first few sessions back show some de-training after only two or three weeks off.

New customers this year already include just about every age group and sector of society.  I’ve noticed an increase in athletes and sports people who have chosen Vibration Training as one of their training methods.  Some new customers are not new to Vibration Training but have moved house and now live in our area.  Most are familiar with our safety program as they’ve been regular at other Vibra-Train studios or studios that follow the Vibra-Train program.

Just a few customers from other vibration studios have needed extra instruction to learn the Vibra-Train Safety Program.  These customers find their body and minds at first rejecting the new ways but they always have opportunity to ask questions, to learn why we do the positions as we do and it takes only two visits before they start seeing the benefits.  One older couple who are very fit and were experienced with vibration training are now so happy, almost ecstatic with the benefits they’re getting from a slight change to the program they’d beeen using.

All customers are being thoroughly watched over this month.  Even though training is always supervised long-term, regular customers can get slightly out of position as they strive to workout harder while their body responds by trying to cheat and make it easier to hold the positions.  Little tweaks to get back into perfect position mean better results.

It’s been a fun start to what’s going to be an amazing year.

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Posted in Benefits, Studio, Vibra-Train, Vibration Training

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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.

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Posted in Benefits, Marketing, Vibration Training, Women, health

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It’s Just Not Working!

November 20th, 2009

It’s just not working anymore!  This is what a regular customer told me last week when she came in for her vibration training session.

Starting six months ago, soon after I began working for Vibra-Train, this customer initially had exciting results.  She had a specific goal; fat-loss and toning, with increased overall strength and she found that vibration training, specifically using Vibra-Train lineal machines, really worked for her.  I looked forward to her studio visits and helping her train hard.

We’d chat about nutrition somedays and I often had to encourage her to eat more, not less, and help her understand that weightloss would not occur in a starvation situation, there being a huge difference in how the human body copes with calorie deficit compared with real calorie deficiency which was what she was doing and so causing her body to protect itself  by laying down fat stores rather than releasing fat to be used as part of her workout energy source.  All too often her energy “batteries” were empty.  But as we progressed this customer, who I’ll call Sue, gained strength, lost fat and a few dress sizes.  She told me how she was wearing designer jeans that she’d kept due to their cost but hadn’t been able to fit for three years.

A vacation with lots of eating-out and the long, hard winter in New Zealand bumped up Sue’s weight a little and she was expecting vibration training, which she’d kept on with three times a week except during her vacation time, to deal with it and get her back on-track and slimmed down for summer.  She wanted a body that would look amazing on the beach and she’d was working well toward it, restricting her calorie intake and occaisionally taking a walk.

dreamstimefree_10053288_questionSo what was going wrong ???

Sue had progressed so well in her ability to do the program that she did it alone while I instructed less able or newer customers.  She was supervised though, as are all our customers, and I corrected her positions occaisionally.  I also noticed that she’d dropped down to the level 2 machines whereas

» Read more: It’s Just Not Working!

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Eggcel – 100% Pure Egg Whites

September 21st, 2009

Eggcel_Web_logoI am now stocking EggcelTM 100% Pure Pasteurised Egg Protein at Vibra-Train’s City Studio, 7/192 Victoria St West, Auckland City.

This is an amazing product, so versatile for making a smoothie after your vibration training or other exercise session.  Fast and easy to use by simply mixing 3/4 cup or Eggcel with 1/4 cup of chocolate milk or mixing a cupful of EggcelTM with just one scoop of your regular after exercise protein powder and a tablespoon of milk (gives it that smooth milkshake texture we all enjoy), shake it up and enjoy!

Eggcel can also be mixed with juice or fruit (banana and pineapple or berries are my favorites) and milk.  Add it to your pancake mix or omelette/scrambled egg recipe to increase the bio-available protein for muscle growth and repair.

I’m proud to be stocking this Eggcel-ent, New Zealand made product and invite everyone; Vibra-Train customers, Club Physical and Les Mills customers and well, just everyone to come in to try and buy.  Product available in 1 litre bottles or as 1kg powder.  Powder Acai Blast (500g Powder) is also available on request.

-  No Artificial Additives or Preservatives

-  High in Protein – a Complete Essential Amino Acid

-  Extremely Low in Carbohydrates, Low Calories, No Fat!

- Heat Pasteurized – “Liquid” Not Raw

- Tasteless – Quick – Convenient – Simple to Use


Websites to visit for more information: Vibra-Train ;  Eggcel

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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

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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

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I haven’t lost weight.. but

June 17th, 2009

Many of the women who come into the Vibra-Train studio where I work mornings list weightloss as one of their goals.

dreamstimefree_49575011For some it’s the first question they ask me, “Will I lose weight?” I explain, yes, but I think what they really want to lose is fat.  It’s very important to explain that they might not actually lose weight in the first few weeks of their vibration training sessions.  I tell them they will lose some fat and gain some muscle so weighing themself is not an accurate measure of what’s happening.  It is even possible that by working-out hard they might even gain a little weight at first which can be a bit off-putting unless they understand what is really happening.

Lloyd Shaw, owner of Vibra-Train, tells customers to look in the mirror without clothes on, first thing in the morning.  Morning is important as any swelling, fluid retention and hormonal issues will have settled overnight.  Then in three weeks time (about 10 – 12 vibration training sessions) they should look in the mirror again and they will see some shape change.  I think they don’t even need to look again to know they’ve lost fat as they tell me their jeans have become loose or their belt has had to be tightened.  Women also tend to lose size from their bust which is a very good excuse for a fun shopping afternoon with girlfriends.

Some customers get concerned that the scales are still saying they weigh exactly the same as when they started or so little loss as to be inconsequential but when they do look into the mirror again they see how their body has toned up.  They notice the areas fat has gone from, often their belly and their buttocks.  Sometimes they notice increased muscle definition but most women aren’t really interested in this.

A few customers have said they’ve changed their diet and cut out “bad” foods and they attribute their changed shape to this but it can’t be true when they haven’t lost weight?  Eating healthier foods or changing one’s diet is important but it’s my opinion that it’s better to leave diet alone and increase exercise for at least the first two weeks of any weightloss/fatloss program.  Exercise increases metabolism (the rate of calorie burn) and that’s enough.  In fact severely reducing calorie intake is counterproductive as the body reacts to this starvation by holding onto fat and even by storing more fat around the internal organs.

After a few weeks of exercise weightloss usually begins.  This is the time to look at diet.  One visit to a qualified dietician can be helpful or simply following a balanced eating plan.  I don’t personally like restrictive diets so I avoid discussion about them, instead telling customers to eat protein after exercise.  This helps with healing and muscle repair and of course if one has eaten protein they are less likely to crave sweet foods and carbohydrate treats.

I’ve seen some good changes in customers who have come in seeking weightloss and toning.  It’s a prvilege to be a small part in their success.

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Posted in Benefits, Vibration Training, Women, health

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Does Vibration Training really work for women?

June 15th, 2009

Wow, what a loaded question! 

I answer with, what results do you want to see?

It’s all to easy to answer such a generalised question with: Of course it works! You’ll lose weight and get stronger in no time at all.

One of the lessons I learnt when I first worked in a Fitness Facility was, never, ever guess what results a person wants or expects from their program.  Never look at a person who’s overweight and assume that’s the area they want results.  It might be that they are okay with their size and really want to improve their core stability or just get rid of back pain.  A common answer to the question, “what are your goals and what results do you want to see?” is “I just want to feel better, not so tired all the time”.  Telling that person that they need to lose weight would offend and they’d probably never come back.

Vibration Training on high force, high quality platforms offers so many benefits and that’s the reason I am so passionate about it.  I don’t have to hype up an answer to any question I am asked; there’s so much I can honestly say.

Slim girl in big size jeansWhen asked about weight-loss I prefer to say that vibration training has great toning effects.  It’s intense though short sessions cause the body to use up large amounts of energy.  It definitely feels like exercise and leaves the user tired but with a great, after-exercise “buzz”.  After about 3 weeks (maybe 10 sessions) women see results; the bathroom mirror becomes a friend rather than enemy as a sideways glance shows shape changes.  I’ve had customers complain that their expensive designer jeans no longer fit well yet the scales aren’t showing any major weightloss yet.  For me, that’s the most exciting time; being able to say that a customer has gained muscle and so has gained strength, improved their overall fitness, looks brighter, feels better and the list goes on.

Did I say they are also maintaining or gently improving their bone density and ridding their body of toxins due to the increased blood supply and all that vibration thinning out and squeezing some fluid from cells where it’s been lying stagnant for who know how long.  And balancing out their homones; but that will keep for another blog.

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