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Posted on 19th July 2010 by microhappen in Schwinn Atlanta
Vibration
The idea of shaking to build better blood and bones made sense with all the science and important authorities touting Vibra Phirm. The contraption arrived with a large yellow truck after being delayed from China. The neighbor who is a Delta mechanic helped, well he actually assembled what I later called a monstrosity with minimal help from anyone else. The directions were odd. A spring washer was called a spring mattress, and there was no part that looked like a mattress to anyone! The mechanic looked at the parts, and it was together in 15 minutes.
Guess, The Dog, was in the garage during this assemblage. When it was plugged in and oscillating/vibrating and resonating, she trembled and headed to the door whining. Not a usual experience for anyone in this household. So for three weeks during rain, cold, or snow, she went outside for the 10 minutes the machine vibrated or the back seat of the truck when it was too miserable for her. Could it be that she thinks there is a tsunami coming? Animals can sense earthquakes, perhaps?
The machine was returned and one person had lost seven pounds while another had gained two, so the physical results were satisfactory for the Chinese made Vibra pHirm. Then, because the Solo Flex Whole Body Vibration was much more versatile, it was ordered as the Vibra pHirm was returned. The price is more affordable, more convenient for travel, and it has the same specs for power/vibration/wattage/hertz. It doesn’t hurt that most of the parts were made in the United States. There is no assembly required, so the Delta mechanic stayed home and was not needed.
The comparison of the vibrations for The Dog were distinct. Her reaction to the Vibra pHirm were more upset than the reaction to the Solo Flex. She is eleven, and has not given me acquiescence that this is a positive change in her life, or her future personal involvement in the use of this exercise machine. Solo Flex has a cute little white dog on the cover of their manual sitting on the platform/bench/step. The Cute Big Dog who lives here will not be sitting on the Solo Flex Whole Body Vibration anytime soon. But there is not the sound of torment from The Dog’s voice compared to the Vibra pHirm. It could be that this exercise equipment is less noisy or more cushioned. As time progresses, perhaps The Dog will begin to be comfortable with the vibration. As indeed was the case. If not, she will be followed without question if there is ever a tsunami or earthquake in Atlanta.
After six months, The Dog likes being petted while I am doing yoga positions on the Solo Flex. My fingers are massaging her, which helps her arthritis and maybe her tumors.
The vibration of http://www.Petpause2000.com harp music did not change the reaction of The Dog to either exercise vibration machine. Imagine a horrible thunderstorm. The Dog will calm down with harp music during thunderstorms, but not with vibrations of a whole body vibration machine. The time limit for the machines is 10 minutes. Over time, perhaps she will become The Cute Black Dog sitting on the bench.
(c) 2008 Charlotte Fairchild
Author Bio: Born in Bethesda Naval Hospital, Charlotte Fairchild traveled as a Navy child, She is a writer and speaker of kudzu, fertility, roses, and teaches auto harp. Fertile Prayers is her first published book. Kudzu Kwestions will help find her several blogs and contact information.
Baby B
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Gym germs: why common diseases flourish in your gym and what you can do to avoid them
by Bridget Coila | Nov-Dec, 2004
Putting in time at the gym is supposed to make you healthier, but if you aren’t careful, it could cause an unexpected illness. If fungi or bacteria wanted to find the ideal place to grow, your gym might offer one of the best sites around. Fungi and bacteria thrive in warm, moist places, such as hot tubs, pools, shower stalls and sweaty clothes. According to Brian Adams, M.D., “There are a bunch of things people can pick up at their gym if they aren’t careful.”
Inside the Locker Room
One of the most common diseases lurking in gyms is tinea pedis or athlete’s foot (i.e., a fungal skin infection). Its symptoms include cracked, blistered skin along with an itching or burning sensation. Onychomycosis is another infectious fungal disease hiding on shower and locker room floors. Its symptoms include yellow, brittle toe- and fingernails. Both of these diseases can be treated with over-the-counter medications, but for persistent infections you may need to consult a dermatologist.
The human papillomavirus (i.e., the virus that causes plantar warts) is another disease-causing organism commonly found in health clubs. These warts appear alone or in clusters on the bottom of the feet. Even in a seemingly immaculate gym, these organisms can dwell in unexpected places. “The most common place people pick up warts and athlete’s foot is in the locker room. It doesn’t matter if it has a carpeted or tile floor. The second place is in shower stalls. Another place most people don’t suspect is alongside indoor pools, but a lot of foot fungus is found there,” Adams says.
Being careful while changing or showering can easily prevent most of these diseases. “When I go to the gym, not for one minute does my foot hit the ground barefoot,” says Adams. “Always keep a barrier between you and the floor. Even a brisk walk between the locker and shower stall can allow foot fungus to take hold.”
The following are other ways to avoid fungi and viruses from invading your feet.
* Wear flip-flops in the shower.
* Wash and dry your feet thoroughly.
* Use antifungal powder in your shoes.
* Wear synthetic socks.
* Change your socks often, since sweaty socks are a prime breeding ground for fungi.
* Change out of your gym shoes after exercising and wash them occasionally in the hot water cycle.
Since fungal infections can spread, don’t dry sensitive areas, such as your underarms, with a towel used on your feet or dropped on the locker room floor. “Be especially careful if you have breaks in the skin,” Adams suggests. “Cuts are the perfect opportunity for microorganisms to make their way into the skin. Even microscopic cracks you can’t see can be an entry point.” If you cut yourself or otherwise cause a break in the skin while at the gym, clean the open wound with an iodine antibacterial solution and cover it securely before continuing your workout.
Outside the Locker Room
You also need to be vigilant about avoiding disease outside the locker room. The treadmill or weights you are about to use could have been infected by someone with a cold or worse.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a bacteria called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was recently found in recreational athletes. Although, MRSA is a version of the common staph bacteria, it is resistant to the methicillin antibiotic, which makes it especially hard to treat. While “normal” staphylococcus aureus is a microbial skin infection easily treated with antibiotics, MRSA is more difficult to treat and can infect the blood and bones–a potentially life threatening complication. MRSA’s antibiotic resistance also makes it more likely to spread, since the normal course of treatment does not eliminate it and the infected person remains a carrier. The CDC cites close physical contact and equipment sharing as reasons for outbreaks. Researchers have also found E. coli, strep-bacteria and the influenza virus in gyms and on athletic equipment.
The easiest way to protect yourself is by wiping equipment before use. Gyms usually provide disinfectant spray, but some people prefer to carry their own wipes. Always use a towel to cover the seat of your exercise bike and bench in the locker room. When you’re done with your workout, don’t forget to clean your water bottle in order to prevent bacterial buildup there, too.
To prevent spreading disease to others, avoid exercising at the gym when you’re sick. Although conventional wisdom says you can work out if your symptoms are above the neck, keep in mind you may expose others. Consider exercising at home when you feel under the weather and avoid having your own germs passed back when your workout partner comes to the gym sick with the cold you gave him or her.
With a little bit of care, even the worst of these diseases can be treated or avoided, allowing you to enjoy your workout without worrying about bringing anything but a healthier body home.
Bridget Coila is a biologist and freelance writer based in Seattle, Washington. She has written for a variety of publications on health and science topics.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
MoneyWatch Talkback
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 muscle strength – (especially explosive strength)
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?
By Marco R. della Cava, USA TODAY
Those Beach Boys have been right all along: Vibrations are good, good, good.
Arriving just in time for New Year’s “I gained how much?” resolutions are vibration exercise platforms that seem to promise increased body tone with very little effort.
Among the machines getting a big push: the $3,500 Power Plate (the company says Madonna bought one after she fell off a horse), the $2,000 Ironman Resolution and the $495 Soloflex Whole Body Vibration Platform. “This is the greatest discovery since the Greeks and Romans perfected barbell exercises,” says Soloflex founder Jerry Wilson.
“Experiencing vibrations during a workout isn’t the be-all and end-all, but rather a great complement to what you’re already doing,” says Jasper Sidhu, president of The WAVE (Whole Body Advanced Vibration Exercise), whose $5,000 in-home version of a commercial platform arrives in January.
For the complete article, click here.
Whole Body Vibration and One Dog
