Vibration Trainers
A 2009 study by the University of Antwerp in Belgium and Artesis University College seems to show that vibration plates do work. In the study, obese women who followed a healthy diet and exercised using vibration plates lost more weight long-term, including more hard-to-lose belly fat, than women who followed a healthy diet and conventional exercise.
They followed this program for 6 months. The group using vibration plates lost an average of 11% of their body weight, compared with a 7% body weight loss for the group using conventional exercise methods. The group using vibration plates also lost the most belly fat. Additionally, the group using vibration plates maintained their weight loss 6 months after the initial 6-month study ended.
Supervision Needed
After reading these results, you may be ready to try out vibration plates. However, one of the researchers Dirk Vissers, cautions that for maximum effectiveness, the vibration plate machines must be used properly. “If it’s easy, you’re not doing it correctly,” he says.
Lesson: if you decide to use vibration plates, work with a trainer in the beginning so that you can utilize proper techniques.
Vibration Plates: Not a Sure Bet?
Despite the 2009 study results, not all researchers are sold on vibration plate machines. Injuries ranging from back pain and cartilage damage to possible brain damage from the shaking have been reported and warned of. Some scientists feel that more research is necessary before the machines can be safely recommended.
Additionally, vibration plates aren’t a panacea. You still need to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly in order to achieve and maintain weight loss, regardless of the exercise method you choose.
Discuss using vibration plates with your trainer and/or physician so you can make an informed decision. Regardless of whether or not you decide to use vibration plates, continue to eat well and exercise, and you won’t go wrong.
