Stop it, Deb! Don't even go there, I mean it!!!
Oh, all right. Go there.
All right, now that we've all gotten that out of our systems, let's talk about the fitness benefits of vibration machines. According to the VibraDepot website (www.vibradepot.com):
Muscles will get stronger with proper vibration training. As a result of the muscle contractions required in response to the vibration stimulation
No, it can't be done, can it??
* * * * *
Okay, I actually tried out one of these total body vibration gismos at IHRSA. Yes, right there in public, as people watched. I was not enamored of it. I tried doing single leg balances on it. I tried squats. It just seemed silly. I did not feel that it improved my proprioception or increased my flexibility, and as for the claim that
10 minutes of vibration training ... produce[s] the same training effect as completing 150 leg presses or half squats with loads of three times body mass twice a week for five weeks
well, what do you think?
In fairness I should note that my friend and colleague Jesse, who tends to have tight hamstrings, was able to touch his toes more easily after 30 seconds on the vibration machine, so there may be something to the notion that it improves flexibility and range of motion. But so do lots of things, most of which cost a good bit less than $2,999.00, which IIRC is the asking price of the unit we tried out.
Sadly, I could see this machine being very popular at the gym where I train, simply because it claims to give you all the benefits of a workout without actually requiring you to DO anything. Though no doubt some folks would prefer a recumbent version.
