Are there any contra-indications for using the VibroGym?

For a number of years now, Whole Body Vibration has been acknowledged as a valid training method by the renowned American institute NASM – National Academy of Sports Medicine. Implementing VibroGym equipment is subject to the same rules as any other training methods and fitness equipment. The general rules with regard to contra-indications for the fitness industry also apply to training on a VibroGym. Before using VibroGym devices you are required to consult the user’s manual and the training instructions. In case of a medical disorder we strongly recommend a consult with a doctor before using the VibroGym. If you feel faint or dizzy during training or if you feel any pain, stop training immediately and consult a physician.

What should you keep in mind before training on a VibroGym?

First of all, you need to be hydrated and have enough sugar in your blood. In other words, it makes sense to have a sports drink such as  Gatorade, Powerade or fruit juice before working out. If you are extremely tired, choose an easy, short program. If your muscles are still sore from a previous work out, or if you feel tired, choose an easier program than last time. If you have recovered very quickly, or did not feel any effects, you need to intensify your training program.

As mentioned earlier, if you are suffering from any medical disorder consult a doctor prior to using the VibroGym. But it is good to know that many disorders, including diabetes type II, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, a-specific lower back pains, circulation problems, disruptions in brain control, oedemia, obesity and a wide variety of injuries, can vastly improve when using Whole Body Vibration under supervision of a doctor or a physical therapist.

Which shoes should you wear on the VibroGym?

Ideally, you should wear gym shoes with a thin, pliable sole. If you want to train barefoot you should always use the rubber mat provided with the device.

How often should you train on the VibroGym?

Whole Body Vibration is extremely intense. It stimulates the central nerve system and uses up to 95% of the muscle potential; a substantial amount of muscle protein is broken down (which is necessary in order to generate training stimuli) and large amounts of lactic acid are produced. In other words, the homeostasis is significantly disturbed, creating more demanding circumstances the body will need to adapt to. 

However, the problem is that WBV training does not take a lot of time. The reflexive contraction of the muscles involved assist the body greatly, making it feel less intensive than it actually is. This is a problem with advanced and very advanced athletes in particular, as they tend to think they have to perform more exercises than prescribed because their work-out feels less intense than their usual training routine. In normal situations three fifteen minute sessions per week are sufficient to attain the desired results.

Massage and stretching exercises are much less taxing and can be subtracted from the total training time, as are the rest periods between exercises. Many programs will add up to 15 to 30 minutes, when we include rest, stretching and massage exercises.

If you train your upper and lower body on separate days you can use the VibroGym every day. This is known as a split routine. Almost all of the studies that presented a wide array of significant positive results are based on three training sessions per week, lasting an average of fifteen minutes. 

Can vibration generated by the platform cause damage to cartilage or organs?

If the VibroGym is used according to the provisions in the training and user manuals, there are only advantages. Cartilage is strengthened and the blood flow to the organs is increased. Even very vulnerable populations, e.g. very old people, people recovering from medical procedures and seriously ill people benefit from vibration training. This has been demonstrated in many scientific studies, as well as practical clinical experiences.

Why are some people in favor of vibration training while others are opposed?

People have been performing strength training by adding weight for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks used weights to increase physical strength. And every gym today still has an entire arsenal of strength equipment with changeable weights. Using vibration to influence the other factor of Newton’s second law, acceleration, is still so new that many “old school” experts simply do not want to accept it. They are so familiar with the world of weights that they are wary of this paradigm, and as a result they oppose its effectiveness. However, it is a fact that vibration devices were right at the side of the field during the last few Super Bowls, the biggest sporting event of the USA. It is also a fact that vibration training is part of the training routine of all of the Chinese participants of the Olympic Games. And it is an irrefutable fact that acceleration is an equal part of Newton’s Law compared to mass. Whether you like it or not, there is no other explanation for the laws of gravity.

Why replace traditional training with working out on a VibroGym?

First of all, traditional training and WBV can be combined perfectly; cardio training and WBV are highly compatible, for instance. WBV can also contribute to many different training methods. WBV will pre-activate the muscles, making explosive methods of training more effective and safe. It is a perfect warming up for all activities, but it is also great for cooling down thanks to the massage possibilities.

The most obvious reason to replace traditional training by WBV is saving time. Because it is so extremely intense and the white muscle fibers in particular are activated so dynamically training on a VibroGym is comparable to HIT. A training session of ten to twenty minutes is enough. Yet amazingly everyone feels that training on the VibroGym is not too strenuous, but rather pleasant and feasible.

Another obvious reason to choose WBV over traditional training is that it has a major impact on losing belly fat (adipose visceral fat) that is a considerable health hazard. One study in particular showed that the WBV group lost almost twice as much belly fat as the group on a traditional fitness schedule. It also showed that after six months without training the WBV group had maintained the lower fat percentage, whereas the traditional fitness group was back to square one, the so-called yo-yo effect.

A third, very important reason to choose WBV is that traditional methods of training are incredibly difficult or even impossible to implement for large groups of people due to all kinds of reasons. For example, people with a weak constitution, suffering from obesity, with limited mobility, people with physical problems, suffering from severe pain, neurological disorders, people with low energy levels as a result of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome etc.  For all of these people, just like anyone else, training would be very beneficial – but very often, WBV is the only training method they can actually use.

The fourth reason is that many people would rather not train at all. Nonetheless, they are aware of the necessity of physical activity and experience the consequences of an inactive life first hand. And if training on the VibroGym allows you to achieve incredible training results with less effort and in a lot less time, why not choose WBV?

Why are prices of the different vibration training devices so widely divergent?

These differences are mostly due to differences in quality. The problem with WBV equipment is that most people know little or nothing about it, and are therefore not really able to determine whether a particular device is a quality product. Everyone knows what a bicycle or a tread mill is supposed to do, making it possible to judge them. It is actually a major problem because hundreds of thousands of vibration plates have been sold, and are still being sold, that will not provide any effect at all, or even worse, may cause physical discomfort and even injury. This mainly concerns the extremely cheap plates made in Korea and China. People who buy these cheap machines then wrongfully come to the conclusion that WBV doesn’t work. A good vibration device should generate vertical vibration, an up and down movement, in order to stimulate the stretch reflexes. Movements in other directions, front to back and left to right, will stimulate your sense of balance at most. In addition, the vibration should be harmonious and clean. If they are not, they will disturb the central nerve system instead of stimulating it. The engines should also be strong enough to maintain a steady, controlled amplitude even under a heavy load. Consequently, the device should be constructed with expensive electronic components and strong electrical engines, and the platform should be rigid and strong. There are only five serious suppliers for professional use: VibroGym, Fit Vibe, Power Plate, Gallileo and Wave, and it is no coincidence that their price range is comparable. For home use those same manufacturers offer very good products, whereas DKN’s products are reasonably good. The only brands that can offer several fundamentally scientific studies are VibroGym, Gallileo and Power Plate. A number of vibration plates are compared in a test on a very interesting website: ….

What is the difference between pivotal and vertical vibration?

The major difference is that in machines using pivotal vibration, the amplitude in the middle of the platform is zero, but very large on the ends. As a result certain movements and positions are impossible, or will result in a lot more or less vibration. Exercises on one leg are very difficult, in a wide squat you will experience greater G forces than in a small stand squat, and exercises such as pushups may lead to neck problems for a lot of people because the platform pivots. Moreover, a scientific study has shown using meta-analysis that vertical vibration leads to significantly better results. On a VibroGym, the amplitude is uniform on the entire training surface, thus making it possible to perform any movement you can do on the floor and intensify your work out.

What makes VibroGym different from other suppliers?

VibroGym is the original manufacturer of the most successful vibration plate ever, resulting in an enormous proliferation of these training devices. Now that the original team behind this product has rejoined VibroGym this brand will lead once again because of the original knowledge and know how, the support, the innovation and the enthusiasm coupled with the Dutch craftsmanship of the manufacturer and the solid financial basis of the investment company controlled by Wijs & van Oostveen. Investing in a VibroGym is a healthy investment in all respects.