29 May Yes, vibration machine training is really as beneficial as you’ve heard

So by now you’ve probably heard of vibration training and some of its benefits. If you haven’t, it’s time to get in the know.
Either way, read on to learn more about the fitness industry’s fastest growing new product line since the elliptical machine was introduced about 15 years ago.
Manufacturers such as 3G Cardio – producers of the 3G Cardio AVT 5.0 Vibration Machine ($3,599, $400 off MRSP) and 3G Cardio AVT 6.0 Vibration Machine ($4,499, $500 off MSRP) that have both earned “Best Buy” awards – are helping to grow the vibration training phenomenon more and more each day.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of vibration training:
* Whole Body Vibration Training (WBV), also known as Accelerated Vibration Training (AVT), stimulates the body’s reflexes to result in alternating muscle contractions and relaxations.
* Depending on the settings and way your body contacts the machine, a vibration machine can be used for stretching, improving balance, core exercises, strength training and even massage therapy.
* Vibration training has been found to be safer on joints and ligaments and to provide much greater results than traditional methods for people of all different ages and fitness backgrounds.
* Everyone from rehab patients, to people battling diseases, to elite athletes and the average couple next door are taking advantage of these machines.
Here’s how vibration training works:
* The vibration plate motors send vibrations that you can adjust (usually between 30-50 Hertz), which travel into the activated muscle groups.
The vibrations create instability, which the body senses and reflexively contracts muscles involuntarily to stabilize and react to.
* The muscles contract in response to the plate vibration and movement, resulting in rapid contractions and accelerated results.
You hear this and you’re still skeptical. It sounds too good to be true, you can’t get in shape just by standing on a vibrating platform, rubbing a magic cream on, drinking a special shake, or using a late-night TV ab-cizer you.
Here’s where you’re wrong.
Vibration training is as good as it sounds, but, no, you don’t just stand on the machine and shake fat off and build muscle.
Here’s the key to the vibration training machine:
* Alternating muscle contractions and relaxations results in a user’s muscle tissues activating and reacting up to 50 times per second. Studies have found up to 97 percent of the muscle fibers may be activated instantaneously, compared to as little as 20 percent with traditional methods.
* Because of this uniquely efficient way of training, users can see major benefits by working out on their vibration machine for as little as three times a week for 30 minutes.
* It takes more than just standing on the machine to get the best results as a person will feel their muscles fatigue while they hold positions such as a squat, calf raise, or push-up. However, you can also adjust the Hertz settings to massage for a more relaxing experience.
* Vibration machines allow a person to work their muscles to fatigue much more safely and efficiently than traditional method because it puts very little if any strain on ligaments and joints.
These machines have also been found to benefit people of all different ages and health levels and have even been popular in hospital and nursing homes because they allows people to safely exercise.
Consult with a doctor if you have health concerns before making any kind of workout changes.
Also, remember there are no easy ways to get totally fit, but combined with a good diet and healthy lifestyle vibration machines are one of the best ways to train out there.
Having used a vibration training machine to complement my own workout routine, I can attest to the fact that they are a great way to improve strength, flexibility and balance.

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