Plataforma Vibratoria - What Are They?
What is a Vibrating Platform?
Surprisingly you’ll find the first instance of body vibrating machines in ancient Greece. They developed a method where they sought to improve human performance by transmitting vibrations to parts of the body that were not working as well as they should. The tool they used for this was a saw, covered in cotton, the mind boggles a bit.. and one can only imagine the slave working the saw being in better shape than the athlete. Moving the timeline substantially, the next real step forward came from the former East Germany in the sixties not in the shape of saw teeth but rhythmic neuromuscular stimulation (RNS). In the old eastern block a Dr Biermann was experimenting with oscillations of a cyclical kind and their effects on the body, these findings were used with work being done by a Russian scientist Navarov who was investigating practical ways to help and improve athlete’s performance. Navarov’s results indicated the athletes enjoyed a substantial increase in strength and flexibity after using a controlled application of vibration to there workout. So the birth of the vibrating technology as we know it today had been born! (Kunnemeyer & Smidtbleicher, 1997).
Muscle Atrophy and Bone Loss
A significant advantage was had by the Russian experiments in the area of muscular stimulation or "Biomechanical Stimulation" more exactly stated, it produced resounding benefits over those of the Americans in their respective space programs. The muscle atrophy and bone loss induced from a prolonged period of weightlessness in space brought the American astronauts back home in 120 days, whilst the cosmonauts vibrated merrily onwards to a staggering 420 days.
Fortunately for us the grand scale of investigation done by the Russians in prolonged space flight and biomechanical stimulation for rehabilitation came to us with the ‘fall of the wall’. The Iron Curtain revealed its secrets and the West gained a substantial amount expertise, information and experience as a result.
The area of biomechanical stimulation and Vibration Training Systems is still very much in the foreground of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Russian Space Institute - who continue to experiment extensively using vibration stimulation directly on muscles or tendons of their astronauts.
Fortunately for us the grand scale of investigation done by the Russians in prolonged space flight and biomechanical stimulation for rehabilitation came to us with the ‘fall of the wall’. The Iron Curtain revealed its secrets and the West gained a substantial amount expertise, information and experience as a result.
The area of biomechanical stimulation and Vibration Training Systems is still very much in the foreground of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Russian Space Institute - who continue to experiment extensively using vibration stimulation directly on muscles or tendons of their astronauts.
Considerations for Use – Vibrating Platform.
Every day is a busy day, even if it’s lying on the couch, add to that, the computer, all those convenience goodies and automation you’ve got a recipe for ‘out of shape’ and ‘putting on pounds’. Good time to think about a little exercise and a healthier style of doing stuff, no? But who has got the time or inclination for regular exercise and all that moving stuff? Welcome stage right vibrating platform and its body vibration techniques – designed for people with limited time and ability to do conventional workout regimes or for those busier bees who want to compliment or accelerate an existing exercise routine, all in 10 minutes flat. Ah YeS !
Okay What's it all About?
The main function of the Vibrating Plate (& exercises) is to a produce a beneficial oscillating dynamic through regions of the body. The platform moves from left to right or up and down in a tilling action from its centre. The idea of action and reaction: like when you touch something, here in this case the users body acts as an absorbing damper a resistance to the oscillating platform .Since muscles are primarily dampening the plates force this produces a reflex in the muscle(s) and in turn contractions which exercises that region deeply and efficiently – far better than in conventional exercising. Lifting weights up and down produce contractions, using our body weight as a load against the vibrating plate produces these contractions at a much higher rate due to the oscillation rate of the plate. A full body workout might take an hour, with a vibrating plate the muscles tend to tire much faster.
Okay What's it all About?
The main function of the Vibrating Plate (& exercises) is to a produce a beneficial oscillating dynamic through regions of the body. The platform moves from left to right or up and down in a tilling action from its centre. The idea of action and reaction: like when you touch something, here in this case the users body acts as an absorbing damper a resistance to the oscillating platform .Since muscles are primarily dampening the plates force this produces a reflex in the muscle(s) and in turn contractions which exercises that region deeply and efficiently – far better than in conventional exercising. Lifting weights up and down produce contractions, using our body weight as a load against the vibrating plate produces these contractions at a much higher rate due to the oscillation rate of the plate. A full body workout might take an hour, with a vibrating plate the muscles tend to tire much faster.
The Good News
A vibration platform allows the user to cycle through a range of exercises very quickly and here is a cautionary warning in using the platform: it should not be used longer than the recommended period specified by the manufacturer and training manual.
The oscillating plates are not just for workouts, they are designed to work in many different ways that are aligned with therapeutic needs. Low oscillatory speeds which give a gentle backwards and forwards action can be great to add to balance and stability, the body acts against the plate but doesn’t fire-up a reflex, increasing the oscillation frequency a smidgen higher will in turn give a relaxing massage and do wonders for the circulation and aid in some rehabilitation from injuries.
So there are many uses and benefits of vibration plates + the exercise techniques that make it a valuable addition to the home, your studio or a practice. It would be difficult to match the vibration plate for its versatility over other conventional types of training machines and devices.
The oscillating plates are not just for workouts, they are designed to work in many different ways that are aligned with therapeutic needs. Low oscillatory speeds which give a gentle backwards and forwards action can be great to add to balance and stability, the body acts against the plate but doesn’t fire-up a reflex, increasing the oscillation frequency a smidgen higher will in turn give a relaxing massage and do wonders for the circulation and aid in some rehabilitation from injuries.
So there are many uses and benefits of vibration plates + the exercise techniques that make it a valuable addition to the home, your studio or a practice. It would be difficult to match the vibration plate for its versatility over other conventional types of training machines and devices.
Some users of the Vibrating Platforms
- Madonna (Musician)
- Jessica Alba
- Prince Albert of Monaco
- Sean "Diddy" Combs(Musician)
- Shaquille O'Neal (Miami Heat)
- Lance Armstrong (Cyclist)
- Sir Anthony Hopkins (Actor)
- Clint Eastwood (Actor)
- Colin Montgomery (Pro Golfer)
- Craig T. Nelson (Actor)
- Daren Holmes (Atlanta Braves)
- David Cone (NY Mets)
- Gwen Stefani (Musician)
- Heidi Klum (Supermodel)
- Ivana Trump (Socialite)
- J.D. Drew (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Jane Fonda (Actor)
- Julie Andrews (Actor)
- Karl Lagerfeld (Fashion Designer)
- King of Saudi Arabia
- Larry Nelson (Pro Golfer)
- LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
- Don Johnson (Actor)
- Eric Karros (Chicago Cubs)
Back to How Vibrating Platforms Help
Against Osteoporosis and Bone Loss
One of the prominent health problems especially in the third age and being female relates to bone decalcification. All of us know someone who is well into the third age who has taken a small tumble and ended up breaking something when they fall - bone decalcification; the typical and unfortunate breaks are hip related . Osteoporosis often starts with a reduction in movement, muscles weakening and the onset of falling blood circulation. On top of that due to the aging process, the body manufactures an excess of hormones such as testosterone, oestrogen. Ironically these hormones play an important part in maintaining strong bones
Builds Muscle Strength
Muscle strength may increase up to half as much in as little as three weeks! The many positioned exercises on the platform pulse through the body giving beneficial reflexive response from top to bottom. The overall effect of expansion and contraction of muscles develop a physical sense of well being, more pliable getup and go capabilities and more importantly and increase in blood flow. Sporting injuries get better faster using vibration plate exercises, medical, neurological or physical condition notwithstanding. Tiredness and lack of movement are shown the door with platform training, guaranteeing a better quality of life for all in particular those in the third age.
Eases Joint Pain
Back and joint pain can really be reduced. Mainly due to an increased circulation to the creaking joint -they are actually non-impact type traction and weight bearing exercises. An additional benefit is the release natural lubricants into your joints by newly stimulated glands.
Burns Fat and Cellulite
Plate training burns fat, tightens and tones the skin while raising your metabolic rate. Vibration training helps to develop improved body tone and leaner muscle tissue while a blend of increased blood circulation and lymphatic drainage promotes notable reduction in fat. Using vibration training studies have reported that 10 minutes per day, three times per week, compares to and even surpasses 60 minutes of conventional training with weights in a fitness facility.
More benefits
Instead of vigorous impact exercisesvibrating plate exercises offers more comprehensive alternative namely: with vibration the muscles systematically become stronger and regain their tone; circulation gets better because blood vessels in the legs are widened due to the ‘agitation’; at the same time the oscillation gives a direct stimulus to bone tissue, which in turn stimulates the production of new bone tissue. Scientific research shows that vibration training can help against osteoporosis.
- Increase your Human Growth Hormone (HGH) output by up to 460%.
- Build bone density and fight osteoporosis.
- Boost your body's natural collagen production while decreasing the appearance of cellulite.
- Increase your basal metabolic rate.
- Reduce your back and joint pain.
- Decrease blood pressure and cortisol levels.
- Elevate your serotonin and neutrophine levels for better mood and sense of well being.
- Improve both blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.
- Decrease your recovery time after workouts.
- Increase your muscle strength up to 50% in as little as three weeks!
- Dramatically increase your flexibility.
- Heighten your sense of balance and improve coordination.
- Tone and tighten skin
