Is whole-body vibration an effective workout? (2024)

Is whole-body vibration a good way to lose weight and improve fitness?

Answer From Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.

Whole-body vibration can offer some fitness and health benefits, but it's not clear if it's as good for you as regular exercise.

With whole-body vibration, you stand, sit or lie on a machine with a vibrating platform. As the machine vibrates, it transmits energy to your body, forcing your muscles to contract and relax dozens of times each second. The activity may cause you to feel as if you're exerting yourself.

You may find a whole-body vibration machine at a local gym, or you can buy one for home use.

Advocates say that as little as 15 minutes a day of whole-body vibration three times a week may aid weight loss, burn fat, improve flexibility, enhance blood flow, reduce muscle soreness after exercise, build strength and decrease the stress hormone cortisol.

But comprehensive research about whole-body vibration is lacking. It's not yet clear if whole-body vibration provides the same range of health benefits as exercise you actively engage in, such as walking, biking or swimming.

Some research does show that whole-body vibration may help improve muscle strength and that it may help with weight loss when you also cut back on calories.

Whole-body vibration may also have a role beyond sports and fitness. Some research shows that whole-body vibration, when performed correctly and under medical supervision when needed, can:

  • Reduce back pain
  • Improve strength and balance in older adults
  • Reduce bone loss

Still, if you want to lose weight and improve fitness, enjoy a healthy diet and include physical activity in your daily routine. If you choose whole-body vibration, remember to do aerobic and strength training activities as well.

And because whole-body vibration can be harmful in some situations, check with your doctor before using it, especially if you're pregnant or have any health problems.

With

Edward R. Laskowski, M.D.

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  • Isometric exercise

Jan. 19, 2024

  1. Rosenberger A, et al. Changes in motor unit activity and respiratory oxygen uptake during 6 weeks of progressive whole-body vibration combined with progressive, high intensity resistance training. Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions. 2019; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31186386. Accessed March 8, 2020.
  2. Karatrantou K, et al. Effects of whole-body vibration training frequency on neuromuscular performance: A randomized controlled study. Biology of Sport. 2019; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6786327/. Accessed March 18, 2020.
  3. Camacho-Cardenosa M, et al. Effects of whole-body vibration training combined with cyclic hypoxia on bone mineral density in elderly people. Frontiers in Physiology. 2019; doi:10.3389/fphys.2019.01122.
  4. Zago M, et al. Whole-body vibration training in obese subjects: A systematic review. PLoS One. 2018; doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0202866.
  5. Pamukoff DN, et al. Whole-body and local muscle vibration immediately improve quadriceps function in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2016; doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2016.01.021.
  6. AskMayoExpert. Osteoarthritis of the hand or wrist. Mayo Clinic; 2019.
  7. Fischer M, et al. Long-term effects of whole-body vibration on human gait: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology. 2019; doi:10.3389/fneur.2019.00627.
  8. Zeng Y-L, et al. Whole-body vibration exercise for low back pain. A meta-analysis protocol of randomized controlled trial. Medicine. 2018; doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000012534.
  9. Pregnancy. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/staying-healthy-and-safe. Accessed March 30, 2020.

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  7. Exercise: How much do I need?
  8. Exercise intensity
  9. Interval Training
  10. Walking and trackers
  11. Walking for fitness

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Is whole-body vibration an effective workout? (2024)

FAQs

Is whole-body vibration an effective workout? ›

Some research does show that whole-body vibration may help improve muscle strength and that it may help with weight loss when you also cut back on calories. Whole-body vibration may also have a role beyond sports and fitness.

Do vibration plates help lose belly fat? ›

Vibration plate exercises are a great way to eliminate belly fat and build muscle simultaneously. Vibration plates create rapid vibrations, which causes your muscles to contract and relax rapidly. This creates an intense workout that burns calories and strengthens your core muscles as no other exercise can.

What are three disadvantages of vibration? ›

Exposure to vibration could have a negative effect on the health of your employees. It could damage joints, muscles, circulation and sensory nerves.

Do vibration plates work if you just stand on them? ›

Do vibration plates work if you just stand on them? Yes, even just standing on a vibration plate can provide benefits. The vibrations activate muscle fibers and stimulate blood circulation.

What are the benefits of 10 minutes on a vibration plate? ›

10 minutes a day of whole-body vibration several times a week may help with weight loss, muscle toning, burning fat, improving flexibility, enhancing blood flow and lymphatic drainage, reducing muscle soreness after exercise, building strength and decreasing the stress hormone cortisol (WebMD).

Does vibration really break down fat? ›

Recent studies on mice show that whole-body vibration training can mimic many of the metabolic effects of more rigorous exercise, particularly treadmill workouts. Daily sessions of whole-body vibration or treadmill workouts for three months led to shrunken fat cells, reduced weight, and decreased insulin resistance.

Who should not use whole-body vibration? ›

Whole body vibration side effects can be problematic, especially for people with osteoporosis, compression fractures, joint replacements, and eye issues. Individuals who use high intensity vibration plates need to be aware of the dangers of vibration machines.

What are the risks of whole-body vibration? ›

Exposure to such vibration can also cause fatigue or a lowering of motor performance capacity. Mechanical shock is an especially damaging form of whole-body vibration, since the mechanical energy is distributed over a range of frequencies.

What are the hazards of whole body vibrations? ›

Working in a cold environment increases the risk for these conditions. Whole-body vibrations may ● impair the senses and may lead to balance disorders, kinetoses or visual disturbances, impair fine motor skills or reduce performance, cause stomach troubles or ● affect the spine.

Is a vibration plate better than walking? ›

It's not yet clear if whole-body vibration provides the same range of health benefits as exercise you actively engage in, such as walking, biking or swimming. Some research does show that whole-body vibration may help improve muscle strength and that it may help with weight loss when you also cut back on calories.

Is it better to sit or stand on a vibration plate? ›

Some fitness professionals recommend sitting on a vibrating plate to aid in weight reduction and as a convenient method to get a brief workout in; in addition, the increased blood flow stimulated by the plate's movement can help keep you in good health.

How long does it take to see results using a vibration plate? ›

How Long Does It Take To See Results From a Vibration Plate? Like any workout, it's going to take two weeks to two months before you start to see some results. However, it also depends on other factors like your diet and lifestyle habits.

Does a vibration machine tone legs? ›

#5 Vibration Plate Benefits for Toning Muscles

Even just standing on a vibration plate with your knees slightly bent is an efficient way of toning the muscles in your legs and your core.

Do vibration plates help lymphatic drainage? ›

The most advanced vibration plates can help burn calories more efficiently, improve circulation throughout the body, increase bone density, and of course, facilitate lymphatic drainage.

Can you do the vibration plate every day? ›

Daily Use: Limit your daily use of the vibration plate to 30 minutes. For most people, workout sessions between 15 and 25 minutes per day are the best amount of time.

What does vibration do to your stomach? ›

Abdominal vibration stimulation has been reported to increase motility of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, to reduce colon transit time, and to reduce constipation in older patients.

How long should you exercise on a vibration plate? ›

The recommended length for how long you should stay on a vibration machine is 15 to 30 minutes at a time on 3 to 4 occasions each week. 30-minute sessions 2-3 times per week can offer a wonderful set of advantages and will allow you to push hard at the same time.

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