14 Jul Underrated gym equipment: Vibration trainers

This is the third in a series on underrated equipment in the gym. Today, we feature vibration trainers.

An old training method re-introduced to the mainstream is blowing the doors off expectations a rapidly growing number of people have for fitness in a new category called vibration trainers.
Accelerated Vibration Training (AVT) stimulates the body’s automatic muscle reflexes to help a person reach their fitness and health potential like never before. Whereas people use as little as 20 percent of their muscle fibers in traditional strength training they can use up to 95 percent with AVT. The vibrations cause the muscles to contract 25-50 times per second.
When we are young, we run and jump and roll all over the place. As a result, the muscles are stimulated to a high level. However, as people age a series of factors limit our ability to achieve those types of movements and the result is a gradual loss in muscle and even bone density, especially after age 40.
When it comes to strength training, many people lift free weights or use a functional trainer. They do improve muscle and strength and can reclaim some of the vigor of youth.
Factors such as improper form, lack of flexibility, injuries, lack of an available workout partner and-or lack of time and desire can limit strength training.
Arguably the biggest benefit to the 3G Cardio 5.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate and 3G Cardio 6.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate is that it allows the body to experience stress with much more ease than it would traditional weightlifting with dumbbells and barbells, for example.
The basic physics for “Force” were defined by Sir Isaac Newton’s equation: F= m*a (Force equals mass times acceleration). Instead of the mass being “loaded up with weights” in the case of 3G Cardio AVT Plate the acceleration is powered up. This increase in acceleration can produce the same or even better results than upping the weights.
Pierre Dufresne, a fitness consultant and former trainer who manages At Home Fitness’ Gilbert, Ariz., store said he has sold vibration trainers to people ranging from elite athletes to senior citizens.
“Everyone finds their own value in vibration training,” said Dufresne, who personally trains on the machine, and recently came back twice as fast as expected from a severe ankle sprain after rehabbing on it. “From tennis champion Rafael Nadal, who has said he regularly uses (vibration training), to average every day people, to those who need it for health reasons, vibration training is a great way to attain better health and fitness.
“I call it a ‘catalyst.’ It’s probably the best catalyst for fitness there’s ever been. You can use it to facilitate all aspects of fitness.”
The concept has actually been around since the 1960s to help Russian cosmonauts combat bone and muscle loss while in space for prolonged periods of time, but was only introduced to the mainstream in the last decade-or-so.
The 3G Cardio 5.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate and 3G Cardio 6.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate are two of the best vibration trainers on the market.
They can help improve strength, flexibility, circulation, weight loss, build bone density and even reduce body pain.

How does vibration training work?
The high-powered motor in the 3G Cardio Accelerated Vibration Training Plate causes the platform you stand on to vibrate up and down. The accelerated vibration training platform stimulates the body’s reflexes to result in alternating muscle contractions and relaxations.
As a person holds varying static exercise positions – such as squat, bent over row, lunge and shoulder press, stretches and massage poses – the acceleration will send vibrations into the activated muscle groups. If you move from a static to dynamic movement, such as actually performing a squat or pushup, the results will be even greater.
In addition to fast-twitch muscle fibers being stimulated using the innovative 3G Cardio 5.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate and 3G Cardio 6.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate, weight loss can be achieved, cardio health and circulation improved, bone health increased, anabolic hormones secreted and reflex pathways awakened.
The science behind 3G Cardio’s accelerated vibration training makes it easier and more effective than ever for people to get a total body workout.
In today’s fast-paced world, few people have hours to spend in a gym working out. And even for people who do get to the gym regularly, oftentimes they are missing something from their program.
They are not pushing themselves even close to the optimum level to stimulate their fast-twitch muscles. Arguably the biggest benefit to the 3G Cardio 5.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate and 3G Cardio 6.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate is that it allows the body to experience stress with much more ease than it would traditional weightlifting with dumbbells and barbells, for example.
For as little as 30 minutes a day, three times a week you can achieve impressive benefits from Accelerated Vibration Training.
This is not to say the 3G Cardio 5.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate and 3G Cardio 6.0 Accelerated Vibration Training Plate are the end-all, be-all to fitness or strength training. It works best if people continue to cross-train with other methods, but they won’t have to do as much “other” stuff.
Some people do use the accelerated vibration training as their exclusive gym activity because of the vast number of exercises you can do on it. However, many other people find it to be a great way to cross train to complement other fitness activities
“’How do you use it?’” Dufresne said many people ask him. “Any way you can without creating injury,” he said. “The possibilities are really just about endless.
“You can put your feet on an exercise ball and do a pushup on the vibration plate, incorporate stretch bands or grab a pair of power blocks and use them while exercising on the vibration plate.”

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com