How to tell vibration machine scams from real deals

They seem to be everywhere lately, so you surely saw them in fitness expos, TV shows or online commercials: vibration machines are back in the spotlight and they seem to be here to stay. If you’re not familiar with their functioning or didn’t have the chance to try a top quality vibration machine, you might think they’re nothing more than gimmicks built by smart people that want to get rich by taking advantage of less informed ones.

I too thought that these platforms are scams, until I had the chance to test a vibration machine while visiting a relative. I was making fun of this form of training – I mean, how could some vibration machines replace strength training, when you don’t even lift anything while standing there? Well here’s the trick and this is exactly what makes these platforms work: instead of lifting, you allow the vibrations sent by the machines to move up through your body, and this mimics an increased gravity force.

Let me explain it in simpler words, for you to understand how and why this technology actually works. Then I’ll give you some tips for differentiating real deals from scams.

How a whole body vibration machine works

A high quality WBV platforms stimulates your muscles by increasing the gravitational load on your body. Energy waves sent through the body activate certain reflexes and make muscles contract and relax faster than they normally do, the effect being similar to that created by strength training. Still, when working on a vibration machine at higher frequencies and amplitudes, your body tends to lose balance, and thus the brain – who constantly monitors your position – will increase the muscle activation to stabilize the posture and prevent falls.

The intensity of energy pulses sent by the platform determines the strength of muscle contractions, which warm up quickly and are stimulated to lengthen and shorten back. These rhythmic muscle contractions not only work the fibers and strengthen the muscles, but also mobilize the joints and increase circulation, causing a warming effect both in the muscles and joints.

So what WBV platforms do is to stimulate muscles and other reflexes by increasing gravitational load, and to mobilize joints and muscles while causing them to warm up faster. The excessive movement that’s caused by the moving platform makes the brain work harder to maintain proper posture, so even if it seems that you’re only training the muscles when standing on a vibration machine, in fact you’re also improving your posture, balance and flexibility.

Common characteristic of scam vibration machines

Unfortunately, as with any other piece of fitness equipment, prices and quality for vibration machines varies a lot. You will find such platforms on the market for fees varying from a few hundred dollars, but these are surely not a good deal, because they’re not able to provide enough stimulation for your muscles.

In a vibration machine, it’s not only the frequency that matters, but also the amplitude and G-force, as these ensure an increased load on the muscles and a more effective workout. You therefore need to find the proper combination of power and feature, and to choose a machine that can provide a G-force of at least 10G’s, and a frequency of at least 20Hz. Not all machines have these features – in fact, the more affordable ones barely reach 3-4G’s, despite going up to 30Hz or so. This does ensure a faster movement of the platform, but your body doesn’t get the most of the training session, as studies have showed that reducing the G-force to 5G’s or less reduces the effectiveness of training by 70% or even more.

Now you understand why some vibration machines are nothing but massage devices, or scams, if they’re marketed as fitness tools. A vibration machine that provides only 5G’s is a good tool for massage and relaxation, but won’t train your muscles efficiently, and won’t help you achieve impressive fitness goals, simply because it doesn’t have the technical characteristics for doing so.

Make sure you choose a high quality WBV platform if you want to improve your body composition, circulation and balance with this form of training.