While exercisers and health club managers eagerly seek “the next best thing” in cardio and strength workout options, the unique and highly effective vibration technology jumps in to literally shaking things up.
Although vibration technology began in the 1970s in Russia as a way to boost the strength, endurance, power and flexibility of athletes and military personnel, it is new to the United States and steadily gaining interest and popularity as exercisers continually seek ways to get more results in less time.
And even better, for the first time ever, vibration stimulation can now be applied throughout the entire body while performing total body cardio or during strength training like traditional arm curls. Now vibration is available in two unique formats: total-body vertical climbers and steppers, and “selectorized” weight stacks. Unlike the traditional stationary vibrating platforms that you just stand on, incorporating vibration into active exercise machines results in a wealth of advantages beyond anything available today.
Simple but Incredibly Effective
Russian research shows that vibration stimulation:
• Requires muscle fibers to do more work,
• Subjects muscles to valuable plyometric stimulation,
• Stretches muscles farther for greater flexibility,
• Drives additional blood flow to muscles and organs.
In addition, a number of published scientific research studies have proven that vibration technology indeed offers more tremendous benefits such as:
• Increased strength, power, and agility,
• Reduced blood pressure,
• Decreased chronic lower back pain,
• Improved hipbone density in postmenopausal women and osteoporosis sufferers,
• Greater natural growth hormones.
Boosting the Value of Vibration
Until now, vibration stimulation has been offered statically only in stationary platforms, in which the user simply stands still and receives the maximum vibration level at the feet, with reduced amplitude and effectiveness as it travels upward throughout the body. Also, flat platforms do not require any significant muscle movement on the part of the user.
Because research shows vibration is most effective during muscle movement, cardiovascular equipment that demands muscular work and includes vibration creates an ideal combination. Therefore, total-body climbers and lower-body steppers offer optimal vibration levels, on the pedals, hand grips, seat and handrails, delivering unmatched workouts with even, total-body distribution of vibration stimulation plus a valuable arm and feet range of motion of up to 18 inches.
“Selectorized” weight stack machines are now sold with patent-pending vibratory stimulation to further enhance strengthtraining exercise motions producing unbeatable results. Delivering 30 plyometric impulses per second to the muscles results in many more muscle contractions per repetition with no extra work required of exercisers. For instance, in a bicep curl that takes two seconds up in a concentric contraction and two seconds down in an eccentric contraction, exercisers experience 120 total muscular contractions in just one repetition.
Clearly, total-body vertical trainers and strength training machines with vibration provide tremendous benefits, including:
• Faster, more efficient cardiovascular workouts that boost strength and enhance flexibility all at the same time,
• Increased strength gains-up to 25 percent greater-with no more effort required on the part of exercisers,
• Concentric, eccentric and plyometric muscle fiber stimulation,
• Quicker warm-ups and better flexibility,
• Comfortable, enjoyable workouts, because vibration feels like a massage and reduces stress,
• Improved agility, balance, circulation and bone density for adults over age 50,
• More time efficient exercise sessions. More for Less
Even more, total body vertical climbers and steppers provide unparalleled versatility, enabling exercisers to position themselves differently according to comfort and goals. For instance, users can choose among total-body climbing, lower-body-only stepping, seated exercise for the lower- or upper-body only and a stationary isometric full-body stretch.
Vertical climbers and steppers with vibration deliver better results much faster for your members, and they are space efficient and cost effective. Shake-up your member’s stale workouts with a new and more effective form of cardiovascular and strength training enhanced by vibration.
Brett Collins is the Sales and Marketing Manager of VersaClimber. He can be contacted at 800.237.2271, or by email at bcollins@heartrateinc.com.