The future of fitness rooted in the past.
I’ve currently been working vigorously on updates to several books that I can’t wait to share with you! One is Before the Change—my New York Times bestseller that dives deep into how to feel your best during perimenopause and menopause.
One component is, of course, exercise. I am a tremendous proponent of resistance or weight-training exercise because of the effect it has to prevent osteoporosis. A really fascinating option is Whole Body Vibrational Training, performed on 3G Cardio Vibration Platforms. I particularly love this because it is so adaptable for everyone—regardless of physical capability.
Today, I’m sharing with you a guest blog from Bob Thomas, the nation’s foremost authority on Acceleration and Whole Body Vibration Training. A 30-year Certified Trainer, he has created and supervised medical and physical fitness programs nationwide—and he’s my personal trainer, to boot.
Bob has created and teaches private and in-clinic seminars to educate individuals and medical practitioners in the implementation of Advanced Vibration Training. He works with clients and patients looking for the most efficient and safe way to workout (without injury) to maximize results.
Do read on to learn the ins and out of this remarkable new technology and how its beginnings are tied with the Space Program.
Origins in Outer Space
What is acceleration training? Many of us have seen the machines that “shake the fat away”. This is absolutely NOT what an acceleration (or whole body vibration) trainer is. Machines that you stand on while they shake are nothing more than “blubber wigglers”.
Whole Body Vibration training has its origins in the Soviet space program. When the US and USSR were in the “Space Race”, we actually had different objectives. The US wanted to get to the moon first. The Soviets wanted to see who could go the furthest in space. The limitation was not the rockets, but the human body.
By design, we are dependent on gravity for bone density and muscle tone. Without it, our bones lose calcium and density very quickly and our muscles and connective tissues lose tone and elasticity. In the Soviet space program Dr. Vladamir Nasarov invented a device that could simulate gravity and move within the vertical plane. When the cosmonauts used this type of device the bone density and muscle tone improved exponentially.
In addition, when the cosmonaut was exposed to space travel they maintained their tone for much longer periods of time. When they returned they used the device for recovery and were ready for another mission much, much faster. As a matter of fact, the device was so effective that the current record for an American is space is 120 consecutive days, for the Soviets it is 420!
Since the initial training, and with the communication amongst coaches, trainers and medical professionals afforded since the fall of the iron curtain, more than 400 peer review and published studies have been done proving out the diverse benefits of Advanced Vibration Training.
As a 30-year veteran trainer and exercise therapist I was originally turned off to the idea of a passive exercise machine, as muscles need to move, stretch and contract. In my journey into the discovery of what acceleration training actually is and the science behind it I was extremely well pleased to find out my understanding of exercise was right…sort of.
That is to say, yes muscles need to move, stretch and contract but not in just the way most of us understand.
Let me explain. Isaac Newton’s second law is Force = Mass x Acceleration. All traditional exercise works with the Mass side of the equation. We move weight (body weight or otherwise) through space AGAINST gravity and that’s what we consider Force. The more weight the more time, the more exercise. Right?
Acceleration training is exactly the opposite. True acceleration training done with the right machine where the movement of the platforms natural motion of gravity, (not the side to side, tilting or pivotal movement of the $299.00 fat shaker at the home show or fair etc.), is done by working with gravity to “move the earth away, or take away downward gravitational load”.
This is where the body’s natural brain based response or “reflex” comes in. An example would be if you have ever been carrying something large and could not see where you were going. You step off a small ledge or curb and “catch” yourself. The earth was “missing” and our proprioceptors (this is the brains natural gyroscope which let’s the body know where it is in space) kicks in and sends a “CLEAN” signal to the legs, back and arms to contract so you don’t fall down.
This reaction give the WHOLE muscle bundle the command “contract”. The body cannot “adapt” to this, in other words you can never outgrow this type of contraction and exercise.
I currently use this type of training using the 3G Cardio Advanced Vibration Trainers with all of my clients. Clients range from deep brain based and genetic defect patients who cannot walk by themselves, to Olympic caliber athletes who want to be faster, stronger and more flexible.
The acceleration training method is the safest exercise for seniors and anyone who is dealing with musculoskeletal injury or compromise, as it is not load bearing. For osteoporosis prevention and treatment, it can be as simple as standing on these platforms with the knees and hips slightly bent. It allows someone to exercise as easy or as intense as they want without the risk of injury.
Remarkably, one study showed that those who used Whole Body Vibration training actually reversed bone loss, increasing hipbone density by 1.5 percent.
As the motion and signal is perfectly synced, acceleration training on a 3G Vibration platform is extremely effective for injury rehabilitation, prevention, flexibility, weight loss, cellulite reduction, increasing bone density, increasing strength, balance, core, restoring gait and many other applications. As a practitioner and spine patient myself, I have not only seen and experienced the results, but the science and studies support these as well.
Advanced Vibration training truly is the future of fitness. All of the benefits of traditional movement preparation, strength, core, balance and massage therapy and training without the injuries and it is entirely more effective for those of use who are no longer 20 years old but still want to be active and enjoy all that life has to offer.
If you’d like to ask Bob any questions, do contact him at (855) 777-8423 or at www.3gvibration.com.
For ALG fans 3G Vibration is offering special discounts on top of their sale prices!
For seniors, choose the AVT 3.0 Whole Body Vibration Machine. Take $100 off using the code ANNLOUISE3 at checkout.
For exercisers, choose the AVT 5.0 Deluxe Whole Body Vibration Machine. Take $250 off using the code ANNLOUISE5 at checkout.
For professionals or heavy duty exercisers, choose the AVT 6.0 Professional Whole Body Vibration Machine. Take $350 off using the code ANNLOUISE6 at checkout.
This is fascinating. Thanks for sharing this information and the difference it can make!
Have you ever heard of vibrational yoga? There is s yoga studio near my home that offers this. It’s a 15 min session that equal 1-1 1/2 hours of work out.
Hi, Anne. I love your books, nutrients, blogs etc. As an old rocket scientist, please update your space stats.
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-astronaut-scott-kelly-returns-safely-to-earth-after-one-year-mission
Hi Sue Easterling: We will pass your info on to Bob Thomas who was the guest blogger for ALG.
Hi Sue,
Thanks for the update. Yes you are correct, interestily, NASA has been using the vibration machines for a while now to condition OUR Astronauts!!
That statsitic is pre NASA usage:)
I bought one, and it caused my knees to hurt so badly that I was in pain 24/7. I could not sleep at night without pain meds.
Which exact machine did you buy as there are many inferior copy-cats on the market. Bob Thomas, who has had major spinal issues, and is a highly skilled trainer only endorses the brand mentioned in the blog.
Are you kidding me?!!! Did you check out the prices?!!! Sounds like just another money making gimmick! How many people will end up just using it to drape their clothes on? All the exercises (which by the way, the videos never worked!) are those that can be done without a machine! Don’t see where the term, “vibration” comes in! And it hasn’t been explained either (the “vibration”). The term itself indicates a certain motion!
Linda: While you are certainly entitled to your opinion, this guest blog post was written by a highly credentialed trainer who references 400 documented studies. You can google “power plates” which is a more common term to find lesser quality and less expensive machines on the market. The oscillating movement – which is what is meant by “vibration” – is well explained in this article. But, the bottom line is ALG would never promote anything that was just a “money making scam.” You should also feel free to contact Bob at the number in the blog to voice your concerns.
Dear Bloggers,
I am not one to sensationanize or exploit results, but there are undeniable sucess stories going on everyday. As a passionate trainer (and a dad) this is one of many that I see that truly warms my heart as I nstruct MD’s, Chiropractors, Nutritionists and Physical Therapists nationwide on the the effects of Acceleration Training.
https://powerplate.com/news-and-media/videos/testimonials/children-with-cerebral-palsy-learn-to-walk
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