The science behind Whole Body Vibration

The technology behind Galileo was originally developed in the Soviet Union to treat Cosmonauts who experience bone and muscle wasting as a result of living in zero gravity and has since been refined to enhance the performance of Olympic athletes. This innovative and ground breaking technology has been subjected to extensive research and studies in over 30 Universities world wide and the European Space Agency.

The effects of the vibrations can be targeted to specific areas-back, quads, calf, hamstrings, pelvic floor etc. An intense workout is performed in a brief time, without muscle soreness following exercise.

• Back or neck pain
• Arm or leg pain
• Poor balance
• Difficulties with walking
• Muscular weakness
• Osteoporosis
• Diabetes-Poor Circulation of the legs & feet
• Poor muscle control
• Incontinence

• Reduce/Eliminate Pain
• Improve muscle strength
• Increase joint motion
• Increase muscle tone & muscle mass
• Increase bone density associated with osteoporosis
• Increase flexibility & co-ordination
• Improve circulation associated with Diabetes
• Strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve pelvic floor function
• Improve balance & decrease risk of falling
• Rehabilitate with CP, Parkinsons
• Improve core stability
• Decrease diastolic blood pressure

• Pregnancy
• Pacemaker
• Acute Thrombosis (blood clots)
• Malignant tumours
• Recent fractures
• Gallbladder or kidney stones
• Metal implants
• Acute inflammation/Pain
• Epilepsy

How long has Vibration training been around?

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.

Can I use the VibroGym to increase my flexibility?

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. Furthermore, adhesions are loosened by the vibrations, which also helps to increase flexibility. Additionally, the Golgi apparatus in the muscles are activated while training on the VibroGym, which causes high levels of relaxation. As the muscles are lengthened during active and functional positions while on the VibroGym, explosive muscle strength is not affected.

I don’t feel anything either during or after training on the VibroGym, am I performing the incorrectly?

If you don’t feel anything while training on the VibroGym, you will need to increase the intensity of your exercise in the ways described previously. There should always be a feeling of fatigue after each session, in order to produce a physical training effect.

I am a well-trained individual so can I start using the advanced VibroGym programme immediately?

Even the most trained of athletes will need to 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, by increasing the intensity as described previously. You must always ensure that VibroGym training is fatiguing though, to guarantee a training effect.

Should I avoid using the VibroGym with bare feet?

To ensure correct transfer of vibrations to the body, there should be as little friction as possible between the body and the VibroGym. This is most easily achieved while wearing flexible-soled shoes (while these do not have to be training shoes, they are recommended). However, if you would like to train barefoot and when you are performing exercises where other parts of the body are in contact with the machine please ensure the rubber mat supplied is used.

If I have arthritis how should I train on the VibroGym?

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 using the VibroGym 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.

Training on the VibroGym 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.

Is the ‘High’ mode more effective?

In the ‘High’ mode, the impact on the body is heavier and the extent of the movement is twice as much as the ‘Low’ mode, so the ‘High’ mode is a more effective way to train.

How is circulation affected by the VibroGym?

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.

Why should I perform some exercises dynamically?

The advantage of the VibroGym over other fixed resistance training equipment is that you can train functional movement – the movements we use in everyday life. As we are constantly using our bodies and muscles, training dynamically on the machine more closely reflects our normal functions. However, we do suggest that when you first start using the VibroGym, you perform exercises statically to ensure you have the correct techniques, with perfect posture and positioning. Once this is learnt, you can begin dynamic movement.

Will I lose weight when train on the VibroGym?

YES!

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. Training with the VibroGym has a large influence on many of the processes involved with losing weight though so you will most likely lose fat stores while training on the machine. This will depend on how fit you already are – the more fatty tissue you have in the body, the more you will lose. 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 fatty tissue.

Are there specific exercises for the stomach, thighs, buttocks and lower back?

YES!

What are the massage exercises used for?

The massage on the VibroGym enhances circulation considerably, which can be seen by the slight redness on the skin and felt by a tingly, warm sensation. This in turn increases lymphatic drainage and reinforces collagen, which together with the increases Human Growth Hormone production, contributes significantly to combating cellulite. You can use the massage exercises as part of your warm-up programme prior to a workout to warm up your muscles and you can use the VibroGym massage after your workout to help remove training’s waste products.