Vibrating Excercise machines...

[robocop]

Originally Posted by Rathji

I am not an exercise guy, so take what I say with a grain of extra double chocolaty chip salt. yumm salt..

Cardio is supposed to exercise your heart by making it work harder. It does this my pumping blood to the muscles that are working extra hard.

Building muscles happens when you make tiny tears in your muscles and when it creates new tissue to heal, your muscles are bigger.

If you can think of a way that either of those 2 things happen because your body is shaking, then you might be able to think of a way that these products might do something, but even then they will only do it to the degree that those 2 things happen.

My guess is it might do a very tiny amount of something, but certainly isn't worth paying for.

by making it hurt so much that you have to move to get away is my only guess

[valo403]

Originally Posted by Nufy

I should clarify its not for me. Its for the wife...

But I am shelling out the $$$, so it bears a bit of research imo...

Sounds to me like it's something else that isn't effective

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by Nufy

I have been told they are good for muscle toning but not building.

That part makes sense to me.

Except muscle toning is a myth. Muscles either get bigger or smaller. You can't tone them.

[return to the red]

I'll chime in. My mom has one of these and it isn't a matter of simply standing on the machine. The different positions you assume will work different parts of the body. Not really a building but more of a toning idea so for women I could see it beneficial.

There are different speeds and it is NOT recommended that you just jump on and crank that sucker up to high. I stood on it on high and I felt extremely nautious after about 30 seconds.

Basically it's a lazy persons way of doing excercise without actually doing any work. For example I went into a pushup position with my hands on the platform for about five minutes and turned it on. I could feel that my arms had been working harder but I could get more results from actually doing a standard pushup if that makes any sense at all.

worth the money? I think you would be better off investing in an eliptical or treadmill.

The most important thing at the end of the day though is happy wife = happy life

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by return to the red

I'll chime in. My mom has one of these and it isn't a matter of simply standing on the machine. The different positions you assume will work different parts of the body. Not really a building but more of a toning idea so for women I could see it beneficial.

There are different speeds and it is NOT recommended that you just jump on and crank that sucker up to high. I stood on it on high and I felt extremely nautious after about 30 seconds.

Basically it's a lazy persons way of doing excercise without actually doing any work.

That is impossible. Not doing any work = not exercising.
If there was a way to exercise without doing any work there would be no such thing as fat people.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

That is impossible. Not doing any work = not exercising.
If there was a way to exercise without doing any work there would be no such thing as fat people.

Well i'm not saying there isn't ANY work involved obviously. You still are excercising your core, arms, etc. being in a pushup position. Maybe I should have said it's easier excercise then actually doing a pushup in my example. Like it's easier to walk to get the mail then it is to run and get the mail. Both are excercise but one you do less work.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by return to the red

Well i'm not saying there isn't ANY work involved obviously. You still are excercising your core, arms, etc. being in a pushup position. Maybe I should have said it's easier excercise then actually doing a pushup in my example. Like it's easier to walk to get the mail then it is to run and get the mail. Both are excercise but one you do less work.

Yes, but while both are exercises where one you do less work, it's also the case where you get worse results.

That's the problem with machines like this. People are spending money on equiment that actually produces fewer results.

Exercise really is an example of something where you get out exactly what you put in.

[IronDave]

It has alot to do with the frequency of vibration. For example sitting in your car on a bumpy road is deterimental, but doing exercises with a predetermined vibration range that has been scientifically can be benificial to certain populations, i.e the elderly. And as a variation on exercise for someone who is into fitness it can be good as any other change in stimulus. I don't have any direct evidence but this has been what I have heard in the field about this.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Yes, but while both are exercises where one you do less work, it's also the case where you get worse results.

That's the problem with machines like this. People are spending money on equiment that actually produces fewer results.

Exercise really is an example of something where you get out exactly what you put in.

Why are you being such a stubborn ass? The guy was looking for an opinion so I gave mine. Put me in the "not hardcore excercise group" but I do tend to agree that any sort of activity, no matter how low impact is better than none at all, and to me having actually used this machine if it helps a person get some sort of activity then i'm all for it.

I should mention my mom has a severe case of fibromyalgia and can't do much in terms of neck and shoulder strain. She says it's good for her so I'll accept that and am happy with it. Would I buy something like that, probably not but every person is different. Just because you think it's a waste doesn't mean everyone should.

I should mention in my original post perhaps I shouldnt have used the term lazy.

[TheSutterDynasty]

My exercise physiology professor went to town on these.

They don't work!!

As Winsor mentioned, vibrations are actually potentially very harmful for the body.

In our discussion about them, it wasn't a matter of disproving their claims, it was a matter of trying to explain physiologically how vibrations could possibly lead to any kind of fitness gain. How does vibrating stress muscle? It doesn't flex it in anyway, you aren't lifting anything. Your muscle is doing zero work just because it's vibrating. Every fitness component relies on your muscles doing work.

These things are a scam.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by return to the red

Why are you being such a stubborn ass? The guy was looking for an opinion so I gave mine. Put me in the "not hardcore excercise group" but I do tend to agree that any sort of activity, no matter how low impact is better than none at all, and to me having actually used this machine if it helps a person get some sort of activity then i'm all for it.

I should mention my mom has a severe case of fibromyalgia and can't do much in terms of neck and shoulder strain. She says it's good for her so I'll accept that and am happy with it. Would I buy something like that, probably not but every person is different. Just because you think it's a waste doesn't mean everyone should.

I should mention in my original post perhaps I shouldnt have used the term lazy.

I'm not trying to be an ass I'm giving my opinion.
Rule of thumb, if an exercise machine makes a claim that you can get the same results with less effort, they are flat out lying. That's why I quoted your original post. Your comment about working out without any effort is just wrong, and the type of comment people use to sell crappy equipment that doesn't do anything. A more true statement would have been "Its a way to feel like you're working out because you're standing on something, but it's about as effective as standing on something"

Sure if you're buying this as a motiviation tool so that you do SOMETHING, then yeah it'll have some benefit becaue it'll get you doing something instead of nothing. But I think most people would be better off finding some other motivational method than spending a couple grand on a machine that makes your workout less effective. Spend the money on a personal trainer. You still get the "I spent the money, I might as well go" motivation, and you see way better results for your money.

The OP wanted to know our opinions on this type of machine, and I've given mine by stating it outright, and by discussing it with you.

Bottom line, if his wife is healthy and just wants to get this because she thinks it'll motivate her to do something, there is a good chance that a) The motivation factor will wear off as it so often does with any piece of exercise equipment, or b) she could have spent the money in a way that provides much better results.

That's the problem (or strength) with the exercise equipment industry, they sell usless equipment to people who think there is an easy way to work out. The only way to actually work out is to work hard and get sweaty.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

That's some good scieince you've got there.

Just my opinion, do all replies need to contain science? I don't see any in yours.
But if you bother doing some research, there's plenty of "science" people looking into the effects of machines like this and potential damage to the brain and other areas of the body.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by Nufy

I should clarify its not for me. Its for the wife...

But I am shelling out the $$$, so it bears a bit of research imo...

It won't work, but it will still be worth it.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I'm not trying to be an ass I'm giving my opinion.
Rule of thumb, if an exercise machine makes a claim that you can get the same results with less effort, they are flat out lying. That's why I quoted your original post. Your comment about working out without any effort is just wrong, and the type of comment people use to sell crappy equipment that doesn't do anything. A more true statement would have been "Its a way to feel like you're working out because you're standing on something, but it's about as effective as standing on something"

Sure if you're buying this as a motiviation tool so that you do SOMETHING, then yeah it'll have some benefit becaue it'll get you doing something instead of nothing. But I think most people would be better off finding some other motivational method than spending a couple grand on a machine that makes your workout less effective. Spend the money on a personal trainer. You still get the "I spent the money, I might as well go" motivation, and you see way better results for your money.

The OP wanted to know our opinions on this type of machine, and I've given mine by stating it outright, and by discussing it with you.

Bottom line, if his wife is healthy and just wants to get this because she thinks it'll motivate her to do something, there is a good chance that a) The motivation factor will wear off as it so often does with any piece of exercise equipment, or b) she could have spent the money in a way that provides much better results.

That's the problem (or strength) with the exercise equipment industry, they sell usless equipment to people who think there is an easy way to work out. The only way to actually work out is to work hard and get sweaty.

I think we have a disagreement here between exercising and working out. In no way do I think this vibration machine is a form of "working out" in the traditional sense. I can see the point that you are trying to make and agree with it entirely but i'm also suggesting that just because an 80 year old women, for example isn't breaking a sweat and gettin all crazy doesn't mean she couldn't find a use (low impact at that) for a machine like this.

It's important to note as well that these machines aren't the same as you saw in the 70's and 80's with the strap around the back the jiggled you. You actually stand on a platform that tips back and forth at varying speeds.

disclaimer: RTTR by no means would ever by one of these machines, i'm just trying to help myself comprehend and justify why my mother would

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by return to the red

disclaimer: RTTR by no means would ever by one of these machines, i'm just trying to help myself comprehend and justify why my mother would

I think we all know why a woman would like a big vibrating machine....

[Swarly]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I think we all know why a woman would like a big vibrating machine....

ya, it better be to wash my damn laundry

NSFW!

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Nufy

What do you know about them,

Are they beneficial or just another hoax.....

Similar to this;

http://shop.fitnessdepot.ca/Power-Vi...late-P294.aspx

What is your instinct?

Hopefully its this is BS.

Exercise is simply exerting more energy than you intake.

[DownhillGoat]

If standing on a vibrating platform offered real health benefits, subway riders would be the healthiest lot on the planet. If vibrations were the key to being fit, you’d never see a fat jackhammer operator.

Full article can be found here:
http://blogcritics.org/scitech/artic...donna-and-the/

[GGG]

I can see this working some of the stabilizer muscles in your body as they would be activating rapidly to keep you balanced while the plate is vibrating.

Beyond that I can't see any large muscles being activated. It might stimulate blood flow as well to the area as well.

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

Y
Exercise really is an example of something where you get out exactly what you put in.

Not at all actually. The harder you work does not necessarily translate into better results.