The classic black Soloflex is the fitness machine which made home weightlifting socially acceptable in America.
From a meager beginning, Soloflex has become a model of business success–admired and copied in the fitness industry for its product and marketing techniques.
However, the phenomenal success of Soloflex, Inc. seemed remote in 1976, when Jerry Wilson first applied for a patent for his muscle machine.
Jerry Wilson’s idea was to create an exercise machine that would be attractive, convenient and easy to use in the privacy of one’s own home. Wilson’s commitment was to combine all the advantages of free weight lifting with the safety of machines. Over a period of one year, Jerry built 10 prototypes in his garage, doing the welding himself.
Initial Financing: Mortgage Everything
Although financial institutions were skeptical of the idea of a home weightlifting machine, the Wilsons believed in the Soloflex.
To borrow the $60,000 needed to get their fitness machine business started, the Wilsons mortgaged their house, three cars, a motorcycle and the patent on the Soloflex. Jerry quit his job as a Lear Jet charter pilot and began to concentrate full-time on the development of the L-shaped machine.
Following his invention and patent application, Soloflex, Inc., was formed in Texas, in July 1978.
One month later, the husband and wife team of Jerry and Marilyn Wilson opened the their first office in Roswell, New Mexico, to begin marketing directly to the consumer, not to health clubs as past weight machine manufacturers had.
“There were 5,000 health clubs in America and 75 million homes. We knew were we wanted to be,” said Jerry Wilson.
Manufacturing of the first Soloflex machines was on a much smaller scale than it is today. The frames were constructed in the Wilson’s garage and the wooden benches were cut in the barn. The finished machine was then painted in the driveway and packaged for delivery in the living room of the Wilson’s Roswell home. As orders reached into the hundreds, the Wilson’s hired the company’s first employee.
In March of 1979, the manufacturing of Soloflex was moved from home-based to a close Air Force base–in a rented building once used as a veterinary hospital.
First Magazine Advertising Paid Off
Their first advertising effort began in September on 1979, with a $3,300 print ad in a South West-regional edition of Playboy magazine. Orders flooded in.
Sales for the first year of operations totaled $80,000 with the sale of 228 machines. The second year, sales increased to $1.2 million.
Sales continued to grow, and in August 1980, Soloflex operations were moved moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, 20 miles outside of Portland. The move was made for several reasons, including the availability of raw materials and the need for a larger work force.
Space was first rented in the Hawthorn Farm Business Park complex, the largest industrial park in Oregon at the time. In June 1983, the corporate offices and manufacturing center moved to 570 N.E. 53rd Street in Hillsboro, Oregon.
By 1989 sales had reached all the way to $98 million.
Soloflex print ads, designed to sell America “better birthday suites,” became award winners after their appearance in such national markets as Time, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, GQ and Esquire.
The black-and-white magazine advertising, featuring hard-bodied, warmly photographed male models, made such slogans as “No Pain, No Gain” and “Body By Soloflex,” literally household phrases. Soloflex brochures included endorsements by sports luminaries such as body building great Arnold Schwarzenegger, Olympic gymnast Mitch Gaylord and football star Gale Sayers.
Soloflex Became TV’s “Infomercial” Innovator
Around 1986, Jerry and Marilyn recognized the advantages of using 30-minute sales videos in the rapidly growing cable television market. Eighty percent and more of the Soloflex advertising budget was going directly into television, taking advantage of huge blocks of surprisingly affordable cable-TV time, at a period when such “space-buying” was virtually unheard of.
This spurred an increase in sales, surpassing a quarter of a million machines sold by mid 1988.
Soloflex also was one of America’s greatest success stories in selling through “videotape brochures”, 20 to 30 minute cassette tapes mailed directly to potential cstomers who’d seen Soloflex TV commercials and dialed a 1-800 telephone number seeking more information on the machine.
In Jerry Wilson’s opinion, the video brochures demonstrate the Soloflex machine better than any salesman and can be watched repeatedly and passed on to other potential customers.
The astonishing growth of Soloflex led to Jerry and Marilyn creating the company’s own advertising firm, 53rd Street Advertising, in 1987. The firm handles all advertising and video productions, as well as media placement for Soloflex’s innovative TV advertising campaign.
Soloflex has always been sold exclusively through advertising, not in stores or mail order catalogs. Consumers still can call the toll free number for a brochure of what the machines can do. Then, the consumer follows up with and order if they want to purchase. It is that simple.
By 1990, Soloflex was the home weightlifting standard by which all other machines were measured. Over half a million machines were sold.
Stay tuned for part two of the Soloflex History story. Coming soon.
Numerous studies show resistance training and Whole Body Vibration can help you age well. They improve everyday physical function, lower blood pressure, ease pain, build bones and muscle and help relieve anxiety. Doing these exercises 3 or 4 times a week will help you sleep better.
2. ”B” Good
Keep your brain healthy with vitamin B12. Recent studies found that people with low levels of B12 experienced a faster decline in cognitive function than those with higher levels. People who consume plenty of B12-rich foods are six times less likely to suffer brain shrinkage. B12 is found in seafood and poultry.
3. Be More Active
The more active you are, the longer you are likely to live. Studies link exercise to healthy aging. Exercise such as walking, gardening, golf, cleaning the house, playing with children etc, will keep you happy and healthy.
4. Be Happy
A cheery outlook may extend your life. The effect of happiness is strong. It can protect you from becoming ill. People who report being happy are more likely to enjoy good health.
5. Be Social
Socializing appears to enhance health. And it makes you happier. (See #4)
6. Be Frugal With Red Meat
Eat red meat only once or twice a week. It can clog your arteries. It may also boost cancer risk. Red meat contains high levels of iron, too much of which has been linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and alzheimer’s.
7. Be Vitamin D Savvy
Vitamin D is a major defense against many age-related diseases. Vitamin D may help protect against cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers. Dietary sources of D include fish, eggs and fortified milk. Our bodies also make D when you get sun, so get outdoors.
8. Be A Potassium Fan
Stay strong as you age by eating potassium-rich vegetables like potatoes and leafy greens – and fruit such as bananas and papayas. Studies show people 65 and older who ate a lot of these foods kept more lean muscle tissue than those who ate less. That’s important because most of us lose 4 or 5 pounds of muscle a decade after age 65, This muscle loss can lead to falls. Eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Monitor your use of salt, which reduces potassium. Read #1 again. You can gain bone and muscle by doing resistance training and whole body vibration.
9. Be A Lover Of Fish
People who eat fatty fish just 1 day a week are 50% less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older adults. Good sources include herring, salmon, tuna, trout and sardines. Strive to have 2 servings a week.
10. Be A Learner
Go back to school. Learn new things. Meet new people. Read. Watch PBS. Be curious about new things.
11. Be Good At Memory-Based Tasks
Going low-carb could be bad for your brain. Once the body breaks down carbs, they convert to glucose, the brain’s primary fuel. To stay smart, stick to healthful carbs such as whole grains.
12. Be A Water Drinker
Steer clear of sweetened drinks. Gulping too much sugar can raise you risk of diabetes and alzheimer’s. Add a splash of fruit juice or fruit slices to your water if you want a little sweet.
13. Be A Bean Eater
Following a diet big on beans could lower cholesterol. At a time when we are trying to eat more healthfully and save some grocery money, beans are the answer. Use them in soups, salads, chile or just beans. They are delicious.
14. Be A Pet’s Friend
Pets help our immune system. They make us happier and more active. Lots of dogs and cats at shelters everywhere need a good home. Give them one.
15. Be A Traveler And Explorer
Going on trips is fun, before, during and after. Seeing new things or re-visiting favorite places is invigorating. Go visit old friends or go on a hike through the forest. Stay active and involved.
16. Be Nutty
All nuts are good for you. Eat plenty of pecans, almonds, cashews, walnuts and filberts.
17. Be A Do-Gooder
Volunteer and donate your time. Help a parent with child care or take a child to something fun. Help a neighbor do repairs to their house or help them with their yard work. You can easily find someone in need.
Department of Health and Exercise Science, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 73019, United States.
Age-related changes in body composition are well-documented with a decrease in lean body mass and a redistribution of body fat generally observed. Resistance training alone has been shown to have positive effects on body composition, however, these benefits may be enhanced by the addition of a vibration stimulus. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 8 months of resistance training with and without whole-body vibration (WBV) on body composition in sedentary postmenopausal women. METHODS: Fifty-five women were assigned to resistance only (RG, n=22), vibration plus resistance (VR, n=21) or non-exercising control (CG, n=12) groups. Resistance training (3 sets 10 repetitions 80% strength) was performed using isotonic weight training equipment and whole-body vibration was done with the use of the power plate (Northbrooke, IL) vibration platform for three times per week for 8 months. Total and regional body composition was assessed from the total body DXA scans at baseline (pre) and after 8 months (post) of training. RESULTS: In the VR group, total % body fat decreased from pre- to post-time points (p<0.05), whereas, the CG group had a significant increase in total % body fat (p<0.05). Both training groups exhibited significant increases in bone free lean tissue mass for the total body, arm and trunk regions from pre to post (p<0.05). CG did not show any changes in lean tissue. CONCLUSION: In older women, resistance training alone and with whole-body vibration resulted in positive body composition changes by increasing lean tissue. However, only the combination of resistance training and whole-body vibration was effective for decreasing percent body fat.
Shriners Hospital for Children, Montreal, QC, Canada. frauch@shriners.mcgill.ca
Whole-body vibration training is a method for muscle strengthening that is increasingly used in a variety of clinical situations. Key descriptors of vibration devices include the frequency, the amplitude, and the direction of the vibration movement. In a typical vibration session, the user stands on the device in a static position or performs dynamic movements. Most authors hypothesize that vibrations stimulate muscle spindles and alpha-motoneurons, which initiate a muscle contraction. An immediate effect of a non-exhausting vibration session is an increase in muscle power. Most studies of the longer term use of vibration treatment in various disorders have pursued three therapeutic aims: increasing muscle strength, improving balance, and increasing bone mass. In a small pilot trial in children we noted improvements in standing function, lumbar spine bone mineral density, tibial bone mass, and calf muscle cross-sectional area.
Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center, Linder Höhe 1, Köln, 51147, Germany
(2)
Institute for Biomedical Research into Human Movement and Health (IRM), Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
Accepted: 13 November 2009 Published online: 12 December 2009
Communicated by Susan Ward.
Abstract Whilst exposure to vibration is traditionally regarded as perilous, recent research has focussed on potential benefits. Here, the physical principles of forced oscillations are discussed in relation to vibration as an exercise modality. Acute physiological responses to isolated tendon and muscle vibration and to whole body vibration exercise are reviewed, as well as the training effects upon the musculature, bone mineral density and posture. Possible applications in sports and medicine are discussed. Evidence suggests that acute vibration exercise seems to elicit a specific warm-up effect, and that vibration training seems to improve muscle power, although the potential benefits over traditional forms of resistive exercise are still unclear. Vibration training also seems to improve balance in sub-populations prone to fall, such as frail elderly people. Moreover, literature suggests that vibration is beneficial to reduce chronic lower back pain and other types of pain. Other future indications are perceivable.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Standing on a vibrating platform may sound like an odd way to pass the time, but a new research review suggests it may do the muscles and bones some good — particularly in older or sedentary adults.
Writing in the journal Current Sports Medicine Reports, researchers detail the evidence for and against so-called whole body vibration training. WBV involves standing on a platform that sends mild vibratory impulses through the feet and into the rest of the body.
These vibrations activate muscle fibers more efficiently, it is claimed, than conscious contraction of muscles during regular exercise. WBV is often touted as a way to improve muscle power, jump higher or sprint faster.
The tactic is also being studied for its therapeutic potential, such as increasing older women’s bone mass.
And there is some evidence to back it up, according to Dr. Dennis G.
Dolny and G. Francis Cisco Reyes of the University of Idaho in Moscow, who conducted the review.
In 1 study of 28 postmenopausal women, for example, researchers found that WBV appeared to increase bone density in the hip. The 8-month training regimen required the women to stand on a WBV platform, in a squat position, for six 1-minute cycles, 3 times per week.]
Another small study of postmenopausal women found that over one year, WBV training seemed to inhibit bone loss in the spine and hip area.
As for the usefulness of WBV in enhancing athletic prowess, studies have mixed results, according to Dolny and Reyes.
A few small studies, for example, have found that performing squats on a WBV platform is slightly more effective than standard squats in boosting muscle power and jump height.
However, other research questions the added benefits of WBV in young, fit people, according to Dolny and Reyes. And it’s unlikely, they note, that WBV alone, with no “external load” to exert the muscles, would do much good.
On the other hand, WBV might hold promise as an exercise therapy for older adults, the researchers say.
“In sedentary and elderly subjects, there is greater likelihood for WBV to improve muscle performance to at least the same if not greater extent (as) traditional training methods,” Dolny and Reyes write.
However, they add, more research is needed. People with conditions such as heart disease or high blood pressure should avoid WBV until safety concerns are better addressed.
SOURCE: Current Sports Medicine Reports, May/June 2008.
Whole Body Vibration Does Your Bones and Muscles Good
Whole Body Vibration, standing on a vibrating platform can be beneficial for muscles and bones, particularly in older or sedentary adults.
Whole body vibration, or WBV, involves standing on a platform that sends mild vibratory impulses through the feet and into the rest of the body. It is claimed that the vibrations activate muscle fibers more efficiently than the conscious contraction of muscles during regular exercise.
Some studies have found that WBV increases bone density in the hip, and inhibit bone loss in the spine and hip areas.
Sources:
Reuters June 12, 2008
Current Sports Medicine Reports May-June 2008
Dr. Mercola”s Comments
Is a Vibration Platform Right for You?
The vibration platforms originate from research conducted during the 1960s space race. They work on the principle that if muscles are exercised while being shaken, they activate neighboring muscle fibers, hence building mass faster.
I first encountered this whole body vibration (WBV) technology in 2006, at which time I contacted one of the top personal trainers in the Chicago area, Tony Bruno — an expert on muscle activation techniques – for his input on this approach.
Tony felt the technology was great and had been proven to improve proprioception, strength and balance, and decrease sway in the elderly, and found it especially beneficial in rehab to increase circulation.
A vibration platform has also been proven useful for athletes, improving speed and vertical jump height, and cutting your warm-up time by half. However, he indicated that because the platform does cause a temporary decrease in joint stability, you shouldn’t use it before an event, as you’ll need to be in top form. But it would be an excellent addition to the training phase of your program.
WBV training has also been shown to improve and maintain bone mineral density in postmenopausal women and the tactic is being studied for its therapeutic potential, such as increasing older women’s bone mass – a far better alternative than the dangerous osteoporosis drugs currently on the market, for sure.
However, the authors of the study above warn that if you have certain health conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure, you may want to avoid WBV until safety concerns have been addressed more fully.
Remarkable Benefits for the Elderly
WBV training has demonstrated significant gains in most measures of muscle performance in sedentary and elderly individuals.
But one study, performed by the University of Liege in Belgium, investigated the effects of controlled whole body vibrations exercises on overall health in elderly patients and found that after 6 weeks (performing 4 one-minute sessions, 3 times a week), the participants experienced:
* 143 percent improvement in physical function
* 77 percent improvement in equilibrium
* 60 percent improvement in vitality
* 57 percent improvement in the quality of walking
* 41 percent reduction in pain
* 23 percent improvement in general health
Not bad for 12 minutes a week!
How Does Whole Body Vibration Training Benefit Your Body?
As Dr. Keith DeOrio, M.D. explains in another article, your entire body musculature, as well as your internal organs and glands, are affected by WBV stimulation.
Your muscle spindles fire secondary to the mechanical stimulation produced by the vibrating plate, and this rapid firing of the muscle spindle causes a neuromuscular response that leads to physiological changes in your brain as well as your entire body.
Traumas and injuries can leave cellular memories in your brain or body tissue that impede normal body movement or function, even after they’re healed. Using WBV stimulation allows your body and brain to rapidly de-imprint these old cell traumas, re-imprinting with positive, healthy information. This allows for better and more efficient rehabilitation of injuries from sports or surgery than traditional methods of therapy.
According to Dr. DeOrio, studies have shown that a mere 12 minutes of training on a WBV plate is equal to a 1.5-hour workout with weights. And since it’s accomplished with little amount of stress to your joints, tendons and ligaments, it can be a very good therapy regimen if you’ve suffered injuries, if you’re elderly, or have disease conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis, which would normally limit your fitness program.
The benefits of whole body vibration training include:
Increased hormone secretion: IGF-1, testosterone, and HGH (human growth hormone)
Enhanced bone and muscle building
Increased lymphatic drainage
Increased flexibility and mobility
Cellulite reduction
Increased circulation
Decreased Cortisol levels
Pain reduction
Increased secretion of serotonin and norepinephrine,
What Should You Look For in a Vibration Exercise Machine?
Overall, WBV seems like a good adjunct to a comprehensive exercise strategy for some people. The downside is that some of the pieces of equipment can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000. Soloflex does make one for under $500.
I am not convinced that there are sufficient benefits to incorporate into my own exercise regimen. I really see this device as a niche for seriously competitive athletes or as physical therapy aid to those recovering from certain health conditions.
If you want to purchase one of these devices I’d recommend you do your homework before investing in a machine of your own. The Vibration Exercise Machine Buyers Guide and Reviews offers great tips on what to look for in a quality product, and warnings on what NOT to buy.
For example, here are just a few of the important features you should look for when choosing your equipment:
1. Solid Steel and Construction
2. Reputable Company: If you’ve never heard of the company, check them out first. How long have they been in business?
3. Warranty
4. Maximum user weight: Make sure the machine can handle your body weight. Cheap machines can wear down and operate at a lower frequency than indicated, and in the case of lineal vibrating machines, low frequencies can be harmful.
5. Features and Noise: Does the vibration machine have at least 15 speeds? Does it have automated programs? How noisy is it? (Be aware that many machines are quite loud, even expensive ones.)
6. Manuals and Videos: Does the company provide you with a positions guide and user manual? Do they have videos you can watch of the machine in action and demonstrations of the different exercise positions?
Fat Tuesday’s here! This is a day to let go and binge on sugary cocktails, beer and some very fattening traditional ‘Fat Tuesday’ treats like Paczki and Jambalaya.
It’s ok to indulge yourself a few days a year as long as you are thinking of the big picture, because that’s what it takes to keep you toned and trim even when you give into temptation. Here are some fun facts to remember that make days like ‘Fat Tuesday’, no big deal.
Muscle burns 50′x more calories than fat. When you replace 5 pounds of fat for muscle, you’re burning an extra 250 calories a day at rest, or 1,750 a week, or 7,000 a month, or 84,000 calories a year! Some quick math… that translates into 24 lbs. Just imagine if you replaced 10 lbs of fat with muscle, you would be burning nearly 50 lbs of fat worth of calories a year.
Dr. Oz is the chief medical consultant on Discovery Health, has produced more than 400 publications (including the best selling YOU series) and is vice-chair and professor at Columbia University.
The classic black Soloflex is the fitness machine which made home weightlifting socially acceptable in America.
Numerous studies show resistance training and Whole Body Vibration can help you age well. They improve everyday physical function, lower blood pressure, ease pain, build bones and muscle and help relieve anxiety. Doing these exercises 3 or 4 times a week will help you sleep better.
A cheery outlook may extend your life. The effect of happiness is strong. It can protect you from becoming ill. People who report being happy are more likely to enjoy good health.
Stay strong as you age by eating potassium-rich vegetables like potatoes and leafy greens – and fruit such as bananas and papayas. Studies show people 65 and older who ate a lot of these foods kept more lean muscle tissue than those who ate less. That’s important because most of us lose 4 or 5 pounds of muscle a decade after age 65, This muscle loss can lead to falls. Eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Monitor your use of salt, which reduces potassium. Read #1 again. You can gain bone and muscle by doing resistance training and whole body vibration.
People who eat fatty fish just 1 day a week are 50% less likely to develop age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in older adults. Good sources include herring, salmon, tuna, trout and sardines. Strive to have 2 servings a week.
Pets help our immune system. They make us happier and more active. Lots of dogs and cats at shelters everywhere need a good home. Give them one.
All nuts are good for you. Eat plenty of pecans, almonds, cashews, walnuts and filberts.
Shriners Hospital for Children, Montreal, QC, Canada. frauch@shriners.mcgill.ca
