What's the best vibration trainer? Do they really work?
Also known as a power plates, this is a relatively new development in fitness technology and still yet to prove itself. There have been a number of studies into their effectiveness at treating injuries that have shown they can benefit an athlete in rehabilitation.
However, most people buy them to tone up and lose fat. All evidence here is purely anecdotal at present although many users swear by them.
A vibration trainer may be your choice of equipment if:-
- You're prepared to spend over £750
- You have limited space at home
- You want to tone up but have little time to train
- You're recovering from an injury
- You want to work your core muscles
- You want to improve your posture
Advantages:
Takes up very little space.
Ten minutes use equals one hours exercise.
Requires little time to train.
Great for toning and increasing strength.
Great for rehab from injury.
You can gradually build up training intensity.
|
Disadvantages:
Can be very costly - need to spend over £750 to get a decent model.
Doesn't improve cardio-vascular fitness.
Equipment can be heavy and not portable.
Some may find the training dull.
|
|
What's The Best Vibration Trainer?
The vibration trainer was initially developed by NASA to help prevent astronaut's muscles wasting away in zero gravity. The idea is that the tiny vibrations cause muscles to contract and release at a fast rate thus emulating vigorous exercise in a short period. Ten minutes use is the equivalent of one hours exercise.
However, it does sound too good to be true and for some of the budget models this is the problem. Not all trainers are made equal.
The best vibration trainers use a different kind of vibration which requires more complex motors to deliver. These cost at the very least £750 but even then many consider only the top models costing many thousands of pounds are worth it.
As this sort of machine is becoming more popular the cost is coming down but it's probably worth avoiding the cheaper models as the benefits are limited.
Most models come with an exercise programme containing many different positions to hold whilst the plate vibrates underneath you. These positions help to work different muscle sets whilst altering the rate of vibration (hertz) helps to intensify your workout.
The top models usually come with a DVD and many trainers use straps so you can work both the upper and lower body simultaneously.
The Best vibration Trainers in our view are:-
Top of the range - VibroGym Professional - price around £5,795.
Mid-priced models - Power Plate MY3 and Globus MY Power - prices start from £970.
Budget treadmills - Horizon Merit v1000 - priced £595.
For more help find the best vibration trainer at our vibration trainer review site.
|
