The Fitness Regime From Outer Space Has Landed!

"The Fitness Regime From Outer Space Has Landed!","

From the current commercially available machines a basic vibration platform can cost as little as £100 while the so-called professional editions will set you back as much as £9000.
   The type of material used and the quality of construction are undoubtedly important factors for machine performance and durability, however aspects such as choice of colour and sleek design are factors that are unlikely to benefit neither your training results nor your bank balance.
  The higher these characteristics are the greater the mechanical vibration stimulus.
  Collectively, the operating range of commercially available machines is around 15Hz to 60Hz.
 Commonly, the amplitude of vibration is a factor that can also be user-determined.
5mm to 12mm (peak to peak displacement) depending on the specific machine.


Most research has centred on 25- 40Hz, but the optimal frequencies for specific training are yet to be determined.
  Research activity from our department (Mileva et al.
  For whole-body vibration training however, to prevent hitting the resonant frequencies of internal body organs it is advisable that frequencies lower than 20Hz are avoided (Mester et al.
  Although machine dimensions are important from a convenience perspective, when choosing a machine it is important to check that the platform area is large enough for performing the type of exercise you require.
  However, machines are available that deliver rotational vibration based on a pivot-system platform.
, 2007) although both types of vibration have been shown to have beneficial effects for training (see for example Cochrane and Stannard, 2005 and Delecluse et al.


User operation -

Some machines come with pre-programmed training regimes with limited flexibility for the user to set their own training programme.
  Some machines have a limited duration of vibration exposure, so if longer bouts of continuous vibration training are required then the machine capabilities again need to be checked.


Medical Device Directive certification -

There are a couple of vibration machines on the current market that have Medical CE Approval.


The Extras -

There are many extras that come along with the more costly platforms such as virtual trainer software, connections for peripheral equipment, and even platforms with inbuilt games consoles.


Hopefully this short-guide to vibration platform basics has provided enough information for you to choose your machine.
  Good luck!