On this page...

• What is oscillating technology
• Muscle contraction as a result of linear movement
• Muscle contraction as a result of oscillatory movement
• The benefits to side-alternating platforms is obvious
• What should I look for in a vibration machine?
• Vibration Plate Pro compared with Power Plate my3, my5 and pro5

What is oscillating technology

The Vibration Plate Pro whole body vibration platform produces an oscillating motion rather then a solely vertical vibration. We call this type of machine a 'pivotal' system, and it is sometimes referred to as a side-alternating or oscillating machine and can be compared to the action of a see-saw.

The platform tilts from side to side over a central fulcrum, lifting one side of your body while at the same time displacing/dropping the other side. This pattern is switched to and fro at a frequency set on the control panel.

The other most common type of vibration platform generates a vertical vibration. What's distinct is that the vibration is equal at all points of the plate. We call this type of machine a 'linear' system.

A few machines induce a solely horizontal movement, designed to move only the feet while the user remains reclined. This is not whole-body equipment and there is only one posture to assume when using the device.

Increasingly, there are vibration machines that move in three dimensions, but ultimately this equipment is still linear even though promotional material and web copy may mention the word 'oscillate'. In fact we consider it critical that non-pivotal equipment moves in multiple dimensions as the piston-like action of a single direction of movement is acting on the body like a pneumatic drill - an action associated with conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Unless the machine has a fulcrum and an alternating pattern of movement it is effectively linear.

What all machines will have in common is that the movement will likely stimulate circulation and provide a degree of massage to the areas of the body close to the platform. But the many other benefits of vibration technology may never be attained by many lesser machines, especially those that don't really know what type they are, and ultimately don't control the plane of movement through which they effect the user.

The effect of vibration that is easiest to understand is muscle contractions. Both pivotal and linear equipment can effectively induce high frequencies of the involuntary stretch reflect. However, the sequence in which this is done differs greatly.

Muscle contraction as a result of linear movement

A vertical vibration machine simulates a jump for the user. In this scenario muscles on both sides of the body contract simultaneously. The load on the body is very high, around 600% (6x the body weight of the user). The repetition of this impact makes certain postures unsuitable, as well as limiting the suitability of this technology to people who are already quite fit. Anyone with joint issues particularly any condition of the spine typically finds this movement pattern uncomfortable and often painful.

Muscle contraction as a result of oscillatory movement

The muscles effected when using an oscillatory vibration machine are contracted alternately - the same muscles on both sides of the body are never engaged at the same time. This alternating sequence means that the load on the body from vibration training with an oscillatory type platfom is approximately +30% of your body weight. This compares with +50% induced under the condition of ordinary walking and makes oscillatory vibration training a mere fifth of the load induced with linear equipment

When we first explain this to people we are often asked about bone development... "isn't bone built under high/impacting forces?" we are asked. This line of questioning comes from a degree of flaw in understanding. External load and impact on the body is not typically beneficial. The forces applied to our bones to which the bone adapts are forces caused by the muscles - applied during every day living - not caused by external influences. This becomes clear when you picture how the muscles work as levers between the majority of our bones, and are not involved under compression stress. Thus every-day loads should maintain our skeletal health. To compensate for bone resorption / bone-matter depletion / osteoporosis, the stress on the bones has to be above the every-day level but not intense by any measure. Thus the +30% load of oscillatory training may be used to regain muscle force and stimulate the addition of new bone material.

What oscillatory vibration training cannot achieve that linear / vertical vibratory systems can is improvement in 'jump height', a well studied benefit of those systems - which explains their use by American football and basketball teams. This is unlikely to be of interest to most home users.

Off the platform, oscillatory training provides real world benefit as the alternating pattern of muscle work has been presicely demonstrated to the neurmuscular system, developing balance, proprioception and an even-form whether standing, walking or exercising.

The benefits to side-alternating platforms is obvious

As the rhythmic movement of the platform reaches the tops of your legs, the pelvis is gently mobilized rather then compacted. Then, all your pelvic and core muscles at the front and trunk of you torso are activated and developed, while the snake-like movement repeats throughout your spinal vertebrae - mobilizing, clearing stagnant fluids & inflammation, and allowing fresh oxygenated blood to enter. Just three minutes will typically alleviate back pain.

Users find oscillating platforms far more comfortable then vertical vibration platforms. In particular, the vertical vibration system easily reaches the skull and can lead to discomfort, disorientation and nausea. Conversely the side-alternating platform produces a rhythmic snake-like movement throughout the body mimicking natural gait. Both systems effectuate an involuntary stretch reflex but oscillatory vibration training offers advantages that vertical vibration training cannot achieve from a simple standing posture.

• Tensor and flexor muscles are activated alternately causing immediate activation of your core muscles, toning your abdomen.
• A natural movement pattern similar to walking encourages improved posture (walking activates alternate muscles on either side of the body, never the same muscle on right and left sides).
• Reduced head vibrations - vertical vibrations exit via the head whilst oscillatory vibrations are dampened in the core abdominal region.
• Users can adjust the amplitude simply by moving their feet closer or further apart. This would have no affect on a vertical vibration plate where the amplitude is fixed.

What should I look for in a vibration machine?

There are several important factors to review when choosing a vibration platform. A few rules of thumb are as follows:

Solid Steel frame: Cheep steel, thin tubular steel or plastic will not do.

Installation: Does the seller offer installation? Whilst assembling a vibration machine isn't rocket science you don't want to get it wrong, and more importantly if it is proper steel you don't want to give yourself an injury assembling it.

Warranty: Scrutinize the warranty. Will your seller collect or is the warranty 'return to base' only. Cheaper machines will wear out but of greater concern is that they will deteriorate first providing uneven and ever weaker performance. How will your seller respond to that?

Motor power and maximu user weight: These are your guidelines to the durability and even performance of the machine over the long term. Lower maximum weight means weaker bearings. If a machine wears down it may operate at a lower frequency then indicated, and in the case of linear vibrating machines low frequencies can be harmful.

Frequency adjustment: The greater the control the better. For any exercise, training or rehabilitation programme you want to make progress and this is best faciliated through small steps. For example, if a machine offered only two speeds, one may be too low the other too high - offering no starting point or potential for progression. Imagine a treadmill with 2 speed settings.

As a detailed guide to a machine's specification and to assist you in choosing a vibration machine we have tabulated a list of questions below, with a guide to the answer you should seek to each, alongside answers for the Vibration Plate Pro machine sold on this website.

Vibration Plate Pro compared with Power Plate my3, my5 and pro5 machines and also the Bodi Tek machine promoted on QVC, which we get asked a lot of questions about.