Wedneday's Workout - Vibration Machine

TurboSonic Vibration Machine

Standing on this contraption for 10 minutes was my only exercise Wednesday.

The rest of the day was spent resting and recuperating from a night in the emergency room - my son was in a motorcycle accident. He is okay. Road rash, swelling, bruising, tweaked thumb. Alive!!!

It took me about 6 hours on Sunday to recover from an Internation Distance Triathlon that took place in the heat. It took me about 24 hours to recover from my son's accident.

I think the TurboSonic Vibration Machine helped.

Some people are skeptical of its touted health properties.

I stood on the TurboSonic Vibration machine for 10 minutes. It says it provides enhanced power training to principal muscle groups in less time and it improves physical strength, dexterity and endurance. I didn't run the 5-miles that was on my training plan, but just reading the benefits of the vibrating machine makes me feel better.

After standing on the vibrating machine for 10 minutes I did feel that my sense of well-being was enhanced and that I had peace of mind. If it can do that and smoothe out wrinkles, well, I want to stand on it 10 minutes everyday.

It states that people who use the TurboSonic Vibration Trainer for 10 minutes, three times a week, loss significantly more fat than those who engage in aerobic activity for one hour three times a week!

Okay, okay, I know there are some nay-sayers out there.

So I went online to get the real scoop. First up Vibration Professor.

http://vibrationprofessor.com/compare-vibration-machines.html

Look, I don't make this stuff up.

The Vibration Professor said: "The machine helps your body improve itself in many ways including increasing blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system is a complex system of ducts and conduits that take away toxins from muscles and at the same time bring new germ fighting materials to the muscles. Unlike the blood system which has a pump (the heart), the lymph system does not have a pumping system, it relies solely on muscular contractions and releases to move the fluids....

The whole body vibration machine stimulates the muscle system to increase this lymphatic drainage. Have you ever noticed that fit people seem to get fewer colds than sedentary people do? It’s because the fit active person has better immunity because of better lymphatic drainage arising from continual muscle actions. Bed ridden people with very little muscle action are prone to catching all types of bugs because their immune system is held back by way of poor lymphatic drainage.....

This is where the whole body vibration machines really differ from all other exercises, they focus almost all energy used through the use of the fast twitch reflex muscles. Their gentle and short movements are designed for response by the fast twitch muscles. When you use the machines you do not have to think about the workout, your muscles are moving in reflex response in opposing directions to the movements created by the moving platform. What seems at first to be a very easy workout is in fact extremely hard for the body as your body will work out very hard to keep your balance, it will burn a great deal of calories and at the same time it is burning up fat deposits and not making you hungry. This is the key fundamental aspect to the whole body vibration machines that make them so efficient for people looking to lose weight or shed inches off the waistline...

When you realize the effectiveness of whole body vibration machines, you will also believe that everyone should use them everyday. I believe that in the very near future whole body vibration machines will become as commonplace as the ubiquitous treadmill."

Well, that is one person's opinion. Here's another:

John Porcari of the American College of Sports Medicine, says, "There's no question that your muscles, through the contraction provided by the vibration, will get stronger. If you can lift 100 pounds easily, doing so while standing on this machine will soon get you to lift 110."

Uhm, I didn't lift anything while I stood vibrating. I just stood there with my eyes closed feeling my body vibrate at different speeds - some made my lips tingle, and some felt as if I was standing on the Andreas Fault line during a major earthquake.

Galttech.com, an independent online guide said this about vibrating machines: "it can be a great complement to your fitness routine and a good balanced diet, but it is not going to replace traditional exercise as the best way to condition your muscles and help you lose weight. Science has demonstrated that vibration machines work muscle groups in the body by what is known as the stretch reflex. Muscles contract in the same way as if one was using free weights or traditional exercise equipment. The difference is that instead of you doing the work, these vibration machines work your muscles for you. They increase blood flow, drain lymphs, and strengthen bone tissue. Vibration machines decrease workout time by as much as 1/3 while also offering a more complete workout. Vibration machines also put much less stress on the body than other exercise methods, making vibration machines perfect for people with arthritis, seniors, and others who can't engage in traditional workouts

What about people with injuries? Dan Hamner, a rehab and sports medicine expert, says, "I usually come from the 'no pain, no gain' camp. But I've been amazed how this painless device has managed to help those people who didn't want to do anything."

Then I went to livestrong.com to see if there were any articles about vibration machines there.

http://www.livestrong.com/article/392689-vibration-exercise-machines-do-they-work/

This from the livestrong article by Carolyn Williams, dated June 14, 2011: Vibration exercise machines may appear to be a gimmick, but for certain conditions they can be very effective. While there's debate as to the correct use of the vibration, vibration exercise machines do work. However, they don't work on their own. You must combine the use of a vibration machine with a regular exercise plan and a healthy diet for best results.

The article goes on to state: vibration exercise assists those who have trouble with balance, although the mechanism by which this occurs isn't entirely clear. In a March 2007 study of 67 senior patients, with an average age of 72, published in "The Keio Journal of Medicine," the group that included four minutes of whole body vibration onced a week in their exercise regimen had significantly improved balance and muscle strength. The constant vibration helps elderly women in particular. This  can be especially useful as the elderly population is sometimes at risk for falls due to poor balance. It is also effective in building muscle in those affected with knee osteoarthritis, which can further aid balance.

I may be 51, but I am not elderly. Still if the vibration machine can improve balance and muscle strength in elderly people, I don't see why it couldn't do the same for me.

And the last bit of information from the Mayo Clinic.

With Mayo Clinic physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist

Edward R. Laskowski, M.D

Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.

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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/whole-body-vibration/AN01598

You can read the entire article, but basically Dr. Laskowski answered the question, "Is whole body vibration a good way to lose weight and improve fitness?" with the answer, "Whole body vibration can offer some fitness and health benefits, but it's not clear if it's as good for you as regular exercise."

Dr. Laskowski goes on to say that while advocates say that as little as 15 minutes a day of whole body vibration three times a week can aid weight loss, burn fat, improve flexibility, enhance blood flow, build strength and decrease the stress hormone cortisol, comprehensive research about whole body vibration is lacking. "It's not yet clear if whole body vibration provides the same range of health benefits as exercise you actively engage in, such as walking, biking or swimming. Some research does show that whole body vibration may help improve muscle strength and that it may help with weight loss when you also cut back on calories. Whole body vibration also may have a role beyond sports and fitness." He also says it can reduce back pain, improve balance in older adults and reduce bone loss.

Here's what I think:The vibration machine can't hurt. And hey, it may help! Anyway, standing on it for 10 minutes while my younger son was in with the chiropractor erased any guilt I may have had for skipping out on a day of training.

Today I was back on schedule - 5 mile run and a spin class.