Many people do not drink enough water on a daily basis, which can cause temporary headaches when training intensively. Also, vibration training causes the blood glucose level to drop rapidly and as we are in a nation with bad eating habits, blood glucose levels are often low before exercise begins. If levels were to drop too much, it may lead to hypoglycaemia. This is why it is strongly advised to drink a glucose drink before training. It should be noted though that this is the case with any type of intensive training - not just an occurrence related to vibration training.

Itching may occur while using the VibroGym, which is due to the large increase in circulation caused while training. This is completely normal. However, in rare cases erythemia may occur which is a severe reddening of the skin - usually on the legs. It is normally just a temporary phenomenon but if it persists we advise against continuing with your vibration training.

If you are standing on the VibroGym while it is turned off, your body will be naturally balanced. As soon as you start the vibrations, the natural balance of the body is interrupted so to recover this balance, the muscles of the body will be stimulated immediately. When performing different exercises, the muscles supporting the joints in action will stretch, which is registered by the muscle spindles. This in turn sends a message to the cortex of the brain, which then sends signals through the spinal cord to cause a reflex contraction. Therefore changes in position are countered immediately.

During exercises where the muscle is contracted, circulation usually decreases (vasoconstriction), but when training on the VibroGym, circulation in both the muscles and skin tissue is increased significantly, which is very beneficial. Furthermore, during the massage exercises circulation will improve locally, with the benefit of reducing cellulite

The contra-indications given for the VibroGym are all conditions that we would advise against using the machine. However, if you are suffering from any of those listed it does not mean you can never use the VibroGym. Vibration training has been shown to be beneficial when integrated into a treatment plan in some cases. Obviously you would have to agree this with your medical specialist prior to use and always train under strict supervision from a trained VibroGym instructor. There is currently a wealth of research being conducted into the effects of vibration training on different medical conditions so the contra-indications may change in the future.

As vibration training causes a rapid decline in blood glucose levels, it is not recommended that diabetics train this way. However, the nature of the machine means it is ideal to improve the physical condition of diabetics. Therefore we suggest you talk to you specialist about the use of vibration training and after a check up, an entire training schedule can be possible.

Blood from the lower limbs is pumped back to the heart using valves in the blood vessels, which stop the blood returning to the lower extremities. Varicose veins are caused when these valves leak. As vibration training causes a huge increase in circulation it can improve the return of blood from the lower limbs if used on a regular basis, especially when performing exercises dynamically. It should be noted that we advise you to massage around varicose veins manually before using the VibroGym for massage exercises.

Arthritis is an affection of the cartilage in the joints, which is very common among the elderly. Of people over 65 at least 25 % are suffering from some form of arthritis. It causes the quality and the amount of cartilage to slowly diminish, so that outside forces will ultimately have to be absorbed by the joint itself. In the early stages, arthritis can go unnoticed. But over time it will cause pain, swelling, stiffness and restricted movement of the joint. As a result, muscle strength will decrease as well as co-ordination and endurance. Especially if the ankle, knee or hip joints are affected, arthritis can be a severe impediment to everyday life.

So far, no effective drugs have been developed to treat arthritis. It is a progressive disease, meaning that the quality of the cartilage gradually decreases. Exercise is an important part of the treatment, as it slows down the deterioration. By doing vibration training regularly it is possible to increase flexibility, muscle strength and co-ordination. Some doctors prescribe their patients anti-inflammatory drugs and sedatives. In conjunction with vibration training this may have some negative effects. The natural warning signals of over-taxation the body gives off might be overlooked when suppressed by medication. Establishing limits to the capacity for training should be done with extreme caution for the group of patients with serious arthritic complaints.

Vibration training can lead to the reduction of complaints, as well as to a decrease in the amount of painkillers that patients need. By exercising and training on the VibroGym, the cartilage is "woken up", as it were, to maintain its function. Cartilage is a like a sponge squeezed dry under pressure, and like a double action pump then fills itself with synovial fluid. In this way the cartilage is provided with necessary

nutrients. Muscles, ligature and tendons have an important function in absorbing shocks and in providing stability in the joint, and they are trained by exercising on the VibroGym as well. The vitalising effect of the VibroGym will ensure more self-confidence in these patients. They will be more independent and less apt to end up in social isolation. This will lead to more exercise and more endurance in the long run.Our advice to people suffering from arthritis:
Any form of exercise that avoids excessive strain on the afflicted joints is recommendable. However, you should pay attention to certain aspects, such as not overextending the joints, and preventing sudden, unexpected shocks and strain. Because of the nature of the exercises performed on the VibroGym, this has proved to be an extremely suitable form of training. Exercises that are too intense will aggravate the arthritic complaints. The pain will worsen, the joints swell and feel warm to the touch and gradually become less flexible, in effect causing a lowered capacity for movement. This can be prevented if the supervisor carefully monitors the intensity of the training, and assesses the capacity of the patient accurately during the intake. The schedule will have to be built up very gradually, and the proper frequency and position during training will have to be monitored constantly. If pain and stiffness increase during and after a training session, the schedule will have to be (temporarily) altered.

Some very important tips for the coaching and training of patients with arthritis are: Avoid draft, dampness and cold; bear in mind that many people with arthritis cannot stand for extended periods of time; avoid putting strain on the joint in extreme positions and do not stimulate the joint in the full extent of its movement during the dynamic exercises. You should also allow the patient a longer rest period in between the exercises and try to convince patients to train more than once a week, obviously only if this does not cause any excessive complaints.

It is important to note that the VibroGym complies with the ISO standards for industrial use, so long as training does not exceed 2 hours a day (anyway it is useless to train any longer than 20 minutes a day). If the VibroGym is used under qualified supervision and according to our instructions, vibration training is actually much safer than any other sporting activity.

Vibration training is getting more known internationally at a very rapid pace and with this the knowledge of how to apply vibration training is also growing. This is not only in the health and beauty world but also in the medical sector. If you doctor, physiotherapist or specialist wants to know more about vibration training, please refer them to our website where they will find many links to scientific studies on the area and will be able to access testimonials from other health specialists.

Some people complain of headaches after training. If this is the case, providing you have been training correctly, then your headaches will be caused by lack of fluid intake before training. Almost 70% of the population is suffering from dehydration and as our bodies consist of over 50% water, fluid balance is vital. Vibration training causes activation of the lymphatic system, which results in a loss of body fluids so we advise to drink about 500 ml of a glucose drink, half an hour before training.

Due to the principle of reversibility, the effects of vibration training would diminish with time, if you were to stop doing it. This is the same with any type of training. If any muscle tissue in the body is not being used, the body will begin to break it down. The rate of this decline depends on many other factors though and is greatly individual.

Depending on your training aims you could miss out cardio training from a workout, if you were to have little or no rest in-between exercises and performed them all dynamically. However it will not cause changes in the heart muscle as seen with cardio training. If you are a sportsperson using vibration training as part of your regular training we suggest you do carry out cardio training as well.

It is completely up to the individual whether muscle group exercises are alternated in a session. However, it is sensible to alternate between upper body, lower body and abdominal exercises to allow each group a rest in between. After a while, this can be performed without breaks, which will keep your heart rate up throughout the whole session thus training your cardiovascular system too.

Vibration training has an immense advantage over conventional training. As the sessions are shorter and less strain is caused, there is considerably less muscle damage caused. Therfore, there is no reason why the whole body cannot be trained on the VibroGym in one session.

Even the most trained of athletes will need time to let their body get used to vibration training, so it is advised not to start immediately with an advanced programme. However, it will be possible for highly trained individuals to progress more quickly than the untrained person.

Yes. The VibroGym uses the Janda Stretch method to increase  joint mobility. In this process, the muscle contracts and relaxes and all muscles and joints that are utilised during the exercise are fully mobilised.

Any exercise or physical effort performed to cause a training effect will cause an increase in body temperature and metabolism. So if you normally sweat whilst working out you will sweat during your vibration training workout.

The principle of energy balance is such that the calories consumed during a day would have to be less than those expended to start a reduction in fat stores. Vibration training has a large influence on many of the processes involved with losing weight. Training on the Vibrogym has been shown to increase metabolism, which means you will burn more calories while exercising and the hormones produced with vibration training also have a significant influence on reducing fatting tissue. However, as with any training modality you will have to control your calorie intake to see any changes.

Due to the nature of vibration training, recovery times after training are greatly reduced when compared to conventional training. Therefore, you can train on the VibroGym every day if you have gradually increased your training intensity are comfortable to do so.

For optimal results it is best to use the VibroGym at least 3 times a week, although even using the machine once a week would be beneficial. We advise training 3 times a week, as frequent stimulation of your body will help you achieve your training goal much sooner.

To achieve a training effect you have to keep overloading the body so it adapts to withstand extra stimuli. If you only train occasionally your body will not have the need to adapt so your training will not have any effect.

As long as there is trained supervision, children as young as 14 can do vibration training as young people can also benefit from vibration training. As for the other end of the scale, we have had people up to 75 years old training easily on the VibroGym, with enormous benefits to conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis.
Due to the nature of the machine, the elderly can activate their muscles in a simple, safe way without extra strain on the joints and ligaments.

Vibration training can increase isometric (static) and isotonic (dynamic) muscle strength, increase flexibility and mobility, improve co-ordination and improve core stability.

The only training effect that regular training may elicit that vibration training cannot is to increase the size of the heart muscle. It really depends on your personal aims but in most cases, vibration training is a great replacement for an entire fitness program.

With the onset of space travel in the 20th century, it was found that the bone density of astronauts declined significantly while in space. Vibration therapy was developed as a way to re-build bone density on their return. From this, the link was made to the elderly, who lose bone density as they age and scientific studies showed that vibration training actually increased bone density significantly. Further scientific research discovered that vibrations caused a stretch-reflex in the muscles producing continuous muscle contractions. The former Soviet Union began using the principle to improve performance in sporting events and during the 1970's, Russian Scientists continued the research into vibration training, finding significant improvements in muscle strength and flexibility and decreases in recovery times after exercise. It was only after the Iron Curtain was pulled down that the western world caught onto the training method, when scientists from Italy and Israel began their own research into the field. It is now widely acknowledged as an exercise tool, with further applications in rehabilitation and pain relief.

It’s simple: Take a classic exercise – let’s say a press-up! This exercise will work your pectoral muscles and triceps. If you perform these press-ups on a vibration platform – ideally on an exactly vertically-vibrating platform that vibrates permanently up and down (up to 2.2 mm, 30 times per second, generating acceleration forces of up to 10G) – you will experience the following: Your muscles will constantly and involuntarily try to balance out the movements caused by the vibrations, and thus strongly intensify the occurring muscle contraction. After a few exercises you will already be able to see first results! Feel the difference with VibroGym!

The question is: How long do you “have to” work out with VibroGym! The average workout will be just 20 minutes, only twice a week! 100% vertical vibration at 30 Hz will intensely stimulate your muscle. Contrary to conventional workout methods, vibration training exercises all muscles in your body at the same time – not only single muscle groups – 200% faster than workouts without vibration.

Since there has been VibroGym - The Original! In 1999, VibroGym manufactured the first commercially used vertically-vibrating platform worldwide, thus starting the success story of vibration training.

Rotary vibrations

Attention: This kind of vibration should be avoided! At worst, it can be harmful to your health! For rotary vibrations are motions in horizontal plane – also referred to as off-centre motions – arising when the rotation surface’s axis is not situated right in the centre; that is why their vibration rotation is described as rotary or horizontal. The axis’ position also determines the amplitude or the so-called vibration amplitude. Rotary vibrations, for instance, can be used for local massages. However, they do not serve as a method for muscle strengthening, for rotary vibrations will only cause a minimal workout effect. Devices generating rotary vibrations are usually offered in a low price segment.

Seesaw motions
A seesaw movement is given when the platform is “seesawing” back and forth. If one side of the platform moves up, the other side of the platform will move down. During this movement, the largest deflection or amplitude can be measured at the platform’s ends. In the middle of the platform, the amplitude goes to “zero”. But the seesaw concept has great disadvantages. On devices generating only these kinds of motions, some exercises can only be performed uncomfortably or even incorrectly.

3D vibration or "acceleration training“
Technically, it is easier to generate vibrations that move into all directions, i.e. horizontally and vertically – a so-called 3D vibration – than to achieve a targeted vertical movement. But watch out: these vibrations will not have the desired effect on your body! Vibrations should be precisely vertical, since horizontal oscillations put too much strain on cartilage and joints. Moreover, uncontrolled vibrations in a horizontal direction do not cause any muscle reflexes and should be avoided. Many vibration devices just ignore these simple rules. Positioned incorrectly, their motors and plastic plates engender the fact that the vibration will only reach the targeted 30 Hz in the centre of the platform, going down to 22 Hz at the edges. Round platforms also result in such varying vibration frequencies. In addition, poorly damped platforms can send out 3D vibrations.

Vertical vibration
In the case of vertical vibrations, the platform moves evenly in no other direction than up and down. Due to rotating counter balances that are built into the motors, these movements release acceleration forces; the resulting centrifugal force lets the platform vibrate in a vertical direction. For optimal vibrations, it is essential that the platform itself is symmetrically formed. Evidently, VibroGym  is a supplier of vibration training devices that offers this kind of platform. You will find the test results of a test on our VibroGym Evolution model – the most precise vertically-vibrating vibration platform – at www.vibrationtrainingdevice.com