As vibration exercise continues to gain popularity in the fitness world, more club owners are looking for ways to integrate it within their facilities. The technology was originally designed to treat bone and lean muscle mass loss in cosmonauts who spent considerable time in a weightless environment, in addition to enhancing power and strength and accelerating recovery in Russian Olympic athletes. Today, clubs can utilize vibration exercise as a standalone tool, or as a complement for other types of training to enhance member results.
How It Works
The movement of the vibration platform simulates the body’s natural ‘stretch reflex’ (Tonic Vibration Reflex), which is similar to the knee jerk reaction that occurs when the knee is tapped by a reflex hammer in a doctor’s office. This strong involuntary muscle contraction, combined with a frequency of up to 50 contractions per second, can produce up to 3,000 muscle contractions in 1 minute. This is all accomplished with minimal stress on the joints and ligaments, allowing fitness club members to have access to a safe, low-impact form of exercise.
Programming
Fitness club professionals know that simply having the latest equipment doesn’t guarantee new members or increased retention. To accomplish this, new equipment has to be used, and vibration exercise can easily be integrated into any program. For example, with baby boomers clubs are implementing programs that deal with arthritis, osteoporosis, golf conditioning, or even express fitness. Senior programs can also focus on balance and fall prevention, while sports performance programs can deal with breaking through plateaus and accelerating recovery between workouts.
Personal Training
Vibration exercise can also generate additional revenue for a fitness facility, and personal trainers can help clubs fully maximize this opportunity. Research by a number of experts has shown that vibration training is an excellent complement to regular training and can enhance fitness gains. Personal trainers can up-sell current clients to add vibration training to their workout, which can not only provide an incentive for personal trainers to bring vibration exercise to the attention of their clients, but it can also increase revenue for the club.
Reaching the 85%
A variety of research has shown significant improvements in health conditions among de-conditioned individuals who engage in vibration exercise because they are not capable of fully engaging in conventional training. There are many people with health conditions, who would benefit from an active lifestyle, but may not be able to perform certain exercises. The skills and knowledge of a personal trainer are important in implementing the proper exercises for this demographic in order to maximize their experience. If a trainer is involved, there is a greater chance of success, thereby increasing satisfaction with the facility and generating additional referrals. Therefore, vibration can be an excellent early adoption of exercise for those who need a low-impact, non-strenuous way of initiating a program. The goal for personal training sessions that begin with vibration is to gradually transition to more traditional personal training services as the client becomes stronger and healthier.
Wellness / Rehabilitation
Vibration exercise also lends itself to wellness and rehabilitation programs, and more and more clubs are beginning to offer these services. This is due partly to the increasing age of members, who are not only looking for ways to stay young, but are searching for technologies that can help take away troublesome aches and pains.
Integrating vibration therapy into the rehabilitation phase of care provides the fitness club with an efficient and effective way to accelerate recovery. Various research suggests positive benefits for fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, Multiple Sclerosis, osteoporosis and post-surgical rehabilitation. Vibration exercise provides the ability to address the needs of diverse groups, from the aging population to the performance athlete. Rehabilitation programs can be accomplished in a fraction of the time of conventional exercise, while minimizing space requirements.
As popularity grows, club owners are beginning to understand that there are many avenues to integrating vibration into the entire continuum of the fitness experience. Understanding its potential as a revenue-generating platform, in addition to its potential for attracting a diverse range of populations, positions vibration exercise as an integral piece of equipment in any fitness club setting.
Jasper Sidhu, DC, is VP of Clinical Services at WAVE Whole-Body Advanced Vibration Exercise in Toronto. For more information on how to integrate vibration exercise within a fitness facility, contact Sidhu at 866-420-7546 or jsidhu@wavexercise.com
