Shake up your fitness routine
By Cynthia Reeves / Photo by Kate Treick Photography
There’s a lot of online buzz about vibration plates, which are slightly elevated platforms that shake rapidly as you stand or work out on them.
Imagine holding onto a jackhammer and getting all shaken up from head to toe. Now you get the picture.
How do these devices work? Do they actually have any health benefits? And more importantly, do they work?
Deborah Viglione, M.D., of the Living Waters Regenerative Medicine Center in Gulf Breeze, has become a recent proponent of vibration plates. Viglione is an internal medicine physician specializing in women’s health, particularly menopausal women; she also has a fellowship in anti-aging and regenerative medicine.
In December, she attended an anti-aging medical convention in Las Vegas, where she saw many versions of vibration plates on display.
“At first, they kind of looked ridiculous,” she said. “But then, hey, why not try it?”
She came home with one, began using it and started digging into research on the health benefits. She was surprised to learn that even NASA has funded studies on the use of vibration plates to counteract the negative effects of zero gravity on bone density. According to an article by Patrick L. Barry written for NASA, “Astronauts might prevent bone loss by standing on a lightly vibrating plate for 10 to 20 minutes each day.”
Viglione found several health and fitness benefits besides the potential increase in bone density.
She believes that in as little as 10 minutes a day, a person could see: faster weight loss, improved circulation, improved lymphatic drainage, boosts to immunity, lower blood pressure, decreased muscle soreness, enhanced balance and flexibility.
She is excited about the implications for sedentary patients who typically get little or no exercise at all.
“For elderly people, balance and strength are important,” she said. “Balance is the most neglected area of fitness, and falls can lead to broken hips.”
Studies by Gabriel Pagnotti, Ph.D., at MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Integrative Medicine Center support her findings. Pagnotti found that 10- to 20-minutes sessions with the vibrating plate improved bone health in patients with certain cancers.
Viglione is encouraging her patients to step on the vibration plate in her office and give it a try. Her hope is that more people will see the potential benefits and purchase one for home use.
Some experts say these devices could eventually become an addition to a regular workout routine or a way to support the immune system. She stresses the benefits of stimulating lymphatic drainage to help “get rid of toxins,” which weaken the immune system.
Viglione also sees benefits for athletes in muscle recovery, noting that the vibration plate forces muscles to contract and relax dozens of times each second. She also believes it is beneficial for surgical recovery.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “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,” such as biking or swimming. The Mayo Clinic’s research also shows that it “may help improve muscle strength and … may help with weight loss when you also cut back on calories.”
With a whole-body vibration plate, a person stands, sits or lies on the machine. As the machine vibrates, it transmits energy to the body. You may feel like you’ve exerted a lot of energy with minimal movement.
Viglione has tried squats on the plate as well as dumbbells. She suggests using the exercises outlined in the unit’s instructions or viewing online videos.
Whole-body vibration machines are available at some gyms. They are also sold for both commercial and home use.
Although they are sold for as little as $100 online, Viglione believes you get what you pay for and wouldn’t even consider one reliable with a full range of benefits for under $1,000.
Her unit is a top-of-the-line Vibratech brand, but she notes that there are good reviews for similar products. She advises doing research before purchasing.
The Mayo Clinic warns, “Because whole-body vibration can be harmful in some situations, check with your doctor before using it, especially if you’re pregnant or have any health problems.”
The bottom line is researchers generally see a lot of “good vibrations” associated with vibration plates, so take Viglione’s advice and jump aboard and see what all the buzz is about.
