Public release, 8th May, 2009, by the European Association for the Study of Obesity, an association established in 1986 and now with 2500 health professionals from 29 member countries, on the results of a controlled study performed at the Artesis University College and the University of Antwerp in Belgium states: vibration exercise machines may help you lose weight and trim the particularly harmful belly fat from the organs. Participants of the study who were part of the vibration training group lost 11% of their body weight and retained their loss at 10.5% after 12 months. They lost an amazing 47 square centimeters of visceral fat maintaining that loss at the final follow up.
This is what the proponents of Vibration Training have been saying all along; that it really works!
The one proviso is that the machine used must be of medium or higher energy level, producing controlled, powerful, lineal vibration so that along with the program used it is suited to the results wanted. The effects are obvious to studio instructors who see the “before” and “after” of their customers and hear their feedback. With a pay-as-you-go structure companies like Vibra-Train would not survive if customers were not getting results. In fact, satisfied customers are the best advertising any fitness business can have as those customers bring along their friends, and they bring along their friends. Free first visits mean there’s nothing to lose, except a little pride in the case of “tough guys” who look at the vibrating machines and the simple program positions and laugh, thinking it will be very easy. It takes just 60 seconds to convince them otherwise. For the obese person their first workout shows them the possibilities and gives them hope; they realize in that short 15 minutes that there is no barrier preventing them; they can work-out! They find it no harder, no easier than the athlete on the machine beside them.
In the study noted above, physiotherapist Dirk Vissers and his colleagues studied the effects of supervised vibration training, using a PowerPlate, medium energy level lineal vibration machine along with dietary intervention on a group of 61 overweight or obese people over six months. During this intervention period participants were asked not to do aerobic exercise. They were advised to continue on with a healthy diet and exercise regime on their own for a further six months.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Di Heap
This link shows Vibration Machine categories.
Weightloss effects as experienced by participants in the study can only be expected by using a High-Medium Level Lineal Machine. Buying a lower grade machine or a pivotal therapy platform will not the same results.
2 - Rege Schilken
I love your weightloss idea. Maybe now, I can lose some of my belly fat.
3 - Lisa McKay
Di, this is an interesting article that raises more questions than it answers (which isn't a bad thing -- that's how research is supposed to work). I'd be interested in knowing a bit about baseline comparisons among the four study groups (and I'm assuming subjects were randomly assigned to groups, yes?), and also I'd like to know what kinds of statistical analyses were performed. Are the differences between groups statistically significant? Actually, is there a link somewhere to the original research paper (I'm assuming this is in a peer-reviewed journal somewhere)?
4 - Di Heap
Hi Lisa, the study is yet to be peer reviewed and published but the results were so encouraging that the European Assn for the Study of Obesity put out a positive press release
link here.
EASO is well respected with member groups in 29 countries comprising clinicians, scientists, and other health professionals. EASO aims to promote research into obesity, facilitate contact between individuals and organisations, and promote action that tackles the epidemic of obesity.
So, you can see that this is not a group with any reason to promote Vibration Training excepting that, in the study it gave the highest results unquestionably. Also of note is that the same dietary help was given to 3 of the 4 groups (the fourth received no intervention being a control group) so it can't be said that diet alone gave the results. I'm very excited about the study results showing such a large reduction in belly/visceral fat.
There were no significant differences between the groups in obesity and abdominal, or visceral, fat at the start of the study.
5 - Lisa McKay
Yes, I did read the press release from the link in your article.
I'll certainly reserve judgment until I've had a chance to see the paper in its original form, but I will say, having worked in medical/public health research for over 30 years, that putting out a press release prior to peer review and publication generally smells like yesterday's fish. I will, however, try to keep an open mind and will look forward to seeing the actual results, which is the only way to properly assess the study.
6 - Di Heap
Lisa, I would agree with you IF the study organisers had something to prove BUT I am totally suprised to see the "Vibration Training" (plus diet control) group come out with better results than the "Group Personal Training" (plus diet control) Group. Especially as the Vibratiion group was asked to do no cardio.
We get results here at Vibra-Train seeing visible toning/shape difference in customers beginning after around 10 sessions (3 weeks) and some weightloss begins. I tell people to take a walk at the weekends and other times they can fit it into their schedule, reminding them that cardio is necessary as vibration training is a form of resistance exercise and does not place much demand on the heart and lungs.
Like you I look forward to reading the published study but that will be some time away and the public needs to be told early when there are breakthrough results which I consider this to be.
Most overweight or obese people can do regular exercise, and the study used that for one group, but how many actually will? Try telling a very large person to go for a 30 minute walk (which is great advice) or use an exercycle or treadmill plus lift some weights; they are often resistant until an emergency dept visit for heart pain stops their lethargy. Vibration Training is short periods (60 seconds x 10 reps or even less) and although it's hard work anyone can do it. There's a lot less resistance to it than to conventional exercise, maybe the novelty of vibrating machines or maybe the short time needed to at least get started on an exercise program that works.
7 - Di Heap
Also, if any readers think this article advertises my place of work, Vibra-Train brand studios are not in USA where the majority readers would be and also another brand of machine was used in the study. I'm gobsmacked at the press release even though I know vibration training works the body in many ways. If it becomes proven that this modality helps cure obesity, then high quality machines (of varying brands) will become common place in hospitals, gyms and other public places. I'll rejoice at anything that helps get people off their tush and provides an "easy", fast workout for good health.
8 - Anomo
If you match with what is happening on the ground, with recent animal studies that produced the exact same type of visceral fat reduction, and these types of reports being released, true it is due diligence to wait for the full study, but really you are only waiting for someone to cross their Ts and dot their i's.
No research is perfect, and common sense would tell more studies need to be done on larger groups. But I would say this is a turning point in the battle to validate some genuine peoples work.
And a heavy blow to those afraid of change.
9 - Lisa McKay
I'm all in favor of anything that will encourage people to actually exercise. I disagree that peer review is simply a matter of crossing Ts and dotting Is -- it's the place where one's peers get to point out possible flaws in one's research design, analytic techniques, and conclusions. Most researchers consider it a crucial step in the process of publishing one's work.
It's true that no research is perfect, but some research is so poorly done as to be worthless. My only point is that we don't have enough information contained in this press release to know whether or not that this is the case. Claiming that a study "shows" anything without actually having seen the results of the analysis (and knowing what type of analyses were performed) is jumping the gun.
10 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Lisa,
I wouldn't bother with these pro-WBV fanatics.. Seriously, if it was a press release from the same group presenting opposite results then this crew would be up in arms about the quality of the equipment used & that their hidden agenda was supported or projected by people that are afraid of change.
11 - Phillip Winn
Yeah, given that, so far, all the peer-reviewed research has shown WBV to be useless, putting out a press release prior to submitting this "study" for peer review smells worse than yesterday's fish.
But folks with an interest are obviously happy, and they'll forget all about this "study" when peer review points out the flaws in the "research."
And life goes on.
12 - Di Heap
Come on guys, we've agreed when research is flawed. In fact people involved in this industry have been FIRST to point out the flaws.
Phillip, if you want to see results, make your next holiday a month in N.Z., Australia, or London and commit a mere 15 minutes of your time 3x week to vibration training at a studio that has training machines - even if you eat out each night I can assure you, you'll see results of toning (visible change), muscle growth, a little weight loss (balanced with fatloss, muscle gain)
13 - Di Heap
The reason I'm promoting this early press release is that the results are very good. There would have to be a lot wrong with the study controls - the whole vibration group would have to have enormous advantage in some way - for anyone to write off these results.
It appears from the press release that the Personal Training group got weightloss and visceral fat loss But did not maintain it.
I care less How obese people exercise, more that they do! If they will follow Phillip's advice and just do it! Walk, weights, that's great. What I am saying strongly is: If a person who needs to exercise (and who doesn't) refuses or is disinclined to walk and weights because they are lazy, because they have tried it before, because of the climate, because of health or injury/pain concerns; then Vibration Training is a positive alternative, that takes little time, huge effort but over small duration, costs more than walking but in most studios low cost, is fun, has personal instruction to ensure complaince to detail, and it works! Heck it's an alternative Not the only way. It's only those with Ostrich mentality that wont even try it.
14 - Anomo
Do not listen to the Anti-vibration training-fanatics Di. They are uneducated, inexperienced, and isolated from the real world. Just how all fanatics are made.
Of course most people who hate something they know nothing about have ignorance forced on them through religion or geographical isolation, but complete lack of motivation to educate yourself can do the same thing.
Until they have tested it themselves and debunked it, they lack conviction in my eyes, so will always be the lowest common denominator in this debate.
All talk no action.
What this test shows was predicted. BETTER STUDIES ON BETTER MACHINES WILL GIVE BETTER RESULTS. And while you desperately try to find small holes in the studies and even smaller arguments against this type of training, more sensible people will be worried about real issues like useless machines being used in useless studies.
For Lisa.
I myself am not looking at this study as absolute proof, even if the study ends up perfectly done it should not be seen as a stand alone. But as I said along with OTHER evidence, such as what is happening right in front of us in the real world, proper machines used strictly under supervision, it seems unlikely to vary widely from the general direction this science is taking us in. But I do hope this helps highlight how past ill conceived studies should never have taken place. If research can not be done properly it should not be done at all.
15 - Anomo
So Phillip.
Direct question. If the study comes back clean. Will you post on here you were wrong ?
16 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
They are uneducated, inexperienced, and isolated from the real world.
LMAO! Because I don't use an over-priced, unproven method to train that means I'm ignorant. I wonder how the people who took Hydroxycut feel?! Hey Buddy, you can insult people all you want,but, what it boils down to is that your precious technology doesn't have real peer-reviewed science to back up these "Snake Oil" claims. So, I have no idea where this evidence you speak of comes from and I'm pretty sure that this study will end up with similar holes like Swiss cheese.
17 - Di Heap
*laughs* Keep hoping Brian.
We have a problem - USA is a big place - you do have some good vibration machines but probably not on your local street corner. It's easier for people here to access this technology. BUT If you ever take a trip to London please tell us, or take a holiday in Auckland.
This is the problem we all face - I could change your mind in 60 seconds. That's all it would take to convince you that vibra-training gives a hard-out workout. Some like it, some don't But no one ever leaves saying "It can't work!"
18 - Di Heap
Brian, yesterday we had one of our TV stations filming in the city studio as part of a fashion program. The two guys who were filmed on the machines had never done it before. They were fun loving, solidly built, tough guys. They were put on Level 2 -beginners machines for the session and both laughed, moaned, cried and failed to hold position for the 60 seconds, over and over. They found it hard-work rather than fashion.
We're not going away. I would have given up long ago if this wasn't a serious workout technology. I was such a skeptic at first, with so many questions. Now I work in this industry, helping others work-out hard and get the benefits I've gained. This job isn't making me rich, I can earn much more elsewhere, the payback is in seeing lives changed, watching my customers gain fitness and for some really change their lives. One day Brian, you will be forced to admit I'm for real.
19 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Di, I have no problems admitting when I'm wrong,but, I'm not gonna go away just because Anomo gets upset because there is still no real science to back up a lot of these claims. Furthermore, If people enjoy using those machines then good for them. As for me, right now, I don't feel the need to include a supposed training method that has the potential of showing no gain/results.
20 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Secondly, I'm sorry, but, I still think that this "technology" is an attempt to take advantage of people by using their guilt & lack of motivation to sell a product.
21 - Anomo
Brian.
"Because I don't use an over-priced, unproven method to train that means I'm ignorant"
You are correct. But because you will not try a machine for FREE JUST ONCE you are willfully ignorant, which is the worst kind.
"I still think that this "technology" is an attempt to take advantage of people by using their guilt & lack of motivation to sell a product."
I would say you are correct in regards to about 95% of companies involved in selling machines. But I do not think you understand how much your point of view on this is shared by some people involved in developing this technology. They are fighting hard for your right not to be misled, it is a shame you do not appreciate the effort.
22 - Di Heap
Brian, the above post is correct that many people involved in selling machines are in the business simply to make as much money as they can, with little regard to the quality of the product they are selling or any care If it actually works or not
That's not really any different to many other products BUT it doesn't mean it's true of all
I've seen a lot of the vibration training industry in New Zealand. Some companies and individuals fit into the above category while others give an enormous amount of time to others. I've seen machines given away to healthcare and sports groups (in places where there will never be any financial return). I've seen Lloyd Shaw give lots of time, driving right across town to repair another company's machine, also going into homes to help people learn to use their home machines (remember his company does NOT sell machines). He takes phone calls from all over the world (often in the middle of the night here) and advises people. Many people are sponsored by him, that means they use his brand machines in the studios for free. There's a full page in the recent Disability Magazine offering completely free sessions to people who fit various criteria.
23 - Anomo
Di Heap.
It may be true that not everyone is a scammer but I get the impression Brian and his ilk finds it easier to lump everyone together, that way he can always focus on the bad element or useless studies etc. and by doing so justify his opinion and lack of motivation to experience something new.
It means never having to say you were wrong and is the pattern of most prejudices.
24 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Look Anomo & Di... Good will,guilt trips,insults,etc; does not make up for the lack of scientific evidence or give good enough reason for the cost of these "quality" machines.
25 - Anomo
What do you mean lack of evidence? This is the first specific obesity study done and it came up positive. This is on top of other studies that show it helps with Type 2 Diabetes, mobility and can be used as a substitute for weight training.
If you are trying to say that because OTHER studies looking for COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EFFECTS like certain athletic performance, done on random machines by clueless researchers came up wishy washy, then all vibration training is useless, then I would say you really have NO idea about how things are developed. Wish I lived in your fantasy world were everything just appeared like magic, must be nice in la la land.
Price? No one here has tried to sell you a machine but I think you have been encouraged to try one for FREE somewhere. You also finding that one a bit hard to get your head around, so here goes my attempt to break it down for you.
IT GOOD TO TRY NEW THINGS.
IT FREE TO TRY THIS THING.
Go help me have patience.