vibrating platforms: Scam or not?

jakeytennis · 01-10-2013, 03:41 PM

Nadal and other pros use them.

i've read that they help blood flow, strengthens fast twitch muscles, and and are good for recovery and they have so many other benefits.

then i've read, they're benefits are insignficant and some of the effects only last like a minute after using the machine.

what are your thoughts?

SystemicAnomaly · 01-10-2013, 10:45 PM

I assume that you are referring to vibrating platforms sometimes used for pilates. Supposedly they were developed for astronauts to prevent muscle atrophy, maintain bone density/strength and for toning while in a zero-G environment.

http://www.myfitclinic.com/2012/03/14/do-vibration-machines-really-work

I've seen one of the pilates vibrating platforms in a friend's upscale health club. I've not tried it myself or have hear much feedback about it. My friend says she's not tried it either or paid much attention to it. After seeing this thread, I did a bit of research on these platforms. From limited reading on the subject, i get the sense that these platforms may very well provide some benefits but probably nowhere as much as the exaggerated claims made by platform manufacturers.

http://hobby.vocaboly.com/241/vibration-exercise-equipment-%E2%80%93-is-it-a-scam

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1306598.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...721992&sc=emaf

http://www.healthmarkinc.net/vf81003.htm

charliefedererer · 01-11-2013, 12:06 AM

Mainly a scam.

ollinger · 01-11-2013, 07:28 AM

EVERYTHING claims it improves blood flow. But blood flow is generally already optimal to your tissues, and circulating volume is essentially fixed, so you can't improve blood flow to one tissue without reducing it to another. It is generally nonsense.

maggmaster · 01-11-2013, 09:26 AM

The best way to increase blood flow is to increase the stroke volume of the heart through cardiovascular exercise.

luishcorreia · 01-14-2013, 02:19 PM

Its not a scam. I sued vubraplate with a personal trainner for a while. It causes unbalance and that will make you use your muscles more.

I'm not talking about just stading in the vibraplate, but do squats, lunges with one leg on the of the vibraplate, push-ups with your hands on top of the vibraplte, abs even...

Its so different making push-ups vibra-plate.

BUT...I did this because the gym had a couple of machines. Is it worth buying one? NO WAY!

Talker · 01-15-2013, 06:58 AM

I've seen some clips of how to use them but am very wary.

I don't like how the vibrations are transmitted through the body, some gets transferred to the brain.
I don't like the rapid back and forth motion on joints, not sure how they will hold up after long term use.

Maybe the body will react favorably but seems risky to me.

01-10-2013, 03:41 PM	#1
jakeytennis New User Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: MI Posts: 88	vibrating platforms: Scam or not? Nadal and other pros use them. i've read that they help blood flow, strengthens fast twitch muscles, and and are good for recovery and they have so many other benefits. then i've read, they're benefits are insignficant and some of the effects only last like a minute after using the machine. what are your thoughts?

01-10-2013, 10:45 PM	#2
SystemicAnomaly Legend Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Stuck in the Matrix somewhere in Santa Clara CA Posts: 7,745	I assume that you are referring to vibrating platforms sometimes used for pilates. Supposedly they were developed for astronauts to prevent muscle atrophy, maintain bone density/strength and for toning while in a zero-G environment. http://www.myfitclinic.com/2012/03/14/do-vibration-machines-really-work I've seen one of the pilates vibrating platforms in a friend's upscale health club. I've not tried it myself or have hear much feedback about it. My friend says she's not tried it either or paid much attention to it. After seeing this thread, I did a bit of research on these platforms. From limited reading on the subject, i get the sense that these platforms may very well provide some benefits but probably nowhere as much as the exaggerated claims made by platform manufacturers. http://hobby.vocaboly.com/241/vibration-exercise-equipment-%E2%80%93-is-it-a-scam http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1306598.html http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...721992&sc=emaf http://www.healthmarkinc.net/vf81003.htm __________________ . Every tool is a weapon -- if you hold it right. (~Ani DiFranco)

01-11-2013, 07:28 AM	#4
ollinger Hall Of Fame Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 4,424	EVERYTHING claims it improves blood flow. But blood flow is generally already optimal to your tissues, and circulating volume is essentially fixed, so you can't improve blood flow to one tissue without reducing it to another. It is generally nonsense. __________________ Angell 105 WC Silverstring

01-14-2013, 02:19 PM	#6
luishcorreia Professional Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lisbon - Portugal Posts: 1,149	Its not a scam. I sued vubraplate with a personal trainner for a while. It causes unbalance and that will make you use your muscles more. I'm not talking about just stading in the vibraplate, but do squats, lunges with one leg on the of the vibraplate, push-ups with your hands on top of the vibraplte, abs even... Its so different making push-ups vibra-plate. BUT...I did this because the gym had a couple of machines. Is it worth buying one? NO WAY! __________________ MY BLOG ---> http://online-tennis-blog.blogspot.com

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