The Soloflex Story
Soloflex revolutioned the home fitness industry with the introduction of the Soloflex Muscle Machine in 1978.
Read more about Soloflex’s values, history, and plans for the future.
Exercise For Seniors
The secret to feeling better and living longer is exercise. Regular exercise can prevent diabetes and heart trouble. It can also reduce arthritis pain, anxiety and depression. It can help maintain independence.
Seniors need resistance training to build muscle and bone. Resistance training keeps the body limber and flexible. It improves balance to reduce the risk of falls.
If you are interested in feeling stronger, healthier and more vital, a strength training program is for you. Strengthening exercises increase the strength of your muscles, maintains and builds bones, improves your balance, coordination and mobility. The health benefits far outweigh the risk of injury, a concern that prevents many elderly people from adding more physical activity to their lives.
Research has shown that resistance exercises are both safe and effective for women and men of all ages, including those who are not in very good health. In fact, people with health concerns benefit from lifting weights a few times each week.
ARTHRITIS RELIEF
Tufts University recently completed a strength training program with older men and women with knee arthritis. The results showed that strength training decreased pain by 43%, increased muscle strength and general physical performance, improved symptoms of the disease and decreased disability. In the study resistance training was just as effective if not more effective than medications for easing pain. Similar effects of resistance training have been seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
RESTORATION OF BALANCE
As people age, poor balance and flexibility contribute to falls and broken bones. Resistance exercises increase flexibility and balance, which decrease the likelihood and severity of falls.
STRENGTHEN BONE
Post menopausal women can lose 1-2% of their bone mass every year. Results from studies showed that resistance training increases bone density and reduces the risk for fractures.
PROPER WEIGHT MAINTENANCE
Strength training is crucial to weight control because more muscle means a higher metabolic rate. Muscle is active tissue that consumes calories while fat uses very little energy. Strength training is extremely helpful for weight loss and long-term weight control.
BLOOD SUGAR
Studies show that resistance training has a profound impact on helping older adults manage diabetes. In a recent study, resistance training produced dramatic improvements in blood sugar that are comparable to taking medications. In addition, the men and women in the study were stronger, gained muscle, lost body fat, had less depression and felt more confident.
HEALTHY STATE OF MIND
Strength training provides similar improvements for depression as anti-depressant medications. Currently, it is not known if this is because people feel better when they are stronger or if strength training produces a helpful biochemical change in the brain. It is most likely both.
SLEEP IMPROVEMENT
People who exercise regularly fall asleep more quickly, sleep more deeply, awaken less often and sleep longer. As with depression, the sleep benefits obtained as a result of resistance training are comparable to treatment with medications but without the side effects or the expense.
HEALTHY HEART
Studies have prompted the American Heart Association to recommend resistance training as a way to reduce risk of heart disease and as therapy for patients in cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Scientific research has shown that resistance exercise can slow the aging clock. Studies have shown that lifting weights 2 or 3 times a week increases strength by building muscle mass and bone density.
One 12-month study conducted on postmenopausal women showed 1% gains in hip and spine bone density, 75% increase in strength and 13% increase in balance with just 2 days per week of strength training. The control group had losses in bone, strength and balance. Strength training can also have a profound effect on reducing falls, the number one cause of death in the elderly.
Adding Whole Body Vibration can increase these results and help you achieve them in less time.
How does Whole Body Vibration work?
NASA and the Russian Space programs started using WBV years ago to help pilot’s muscles from atrophying while in space. It worked. Soon after trainers and doctors began to see the great benefits WBV could offer professional athletes. Professional sport franchises have widely and enthusiastically embraced the concept, including the American football, ice hockey, baseball, and soccer. Not only can WBV help reduce the time a workout takes it also aids in faster muscle growth, better flexibility, better blood circulation, reduction of sore muscles, improved balance, even healing injuries. Less time, better results, easy to use, safe, aids in any routine; what more could anyone want? Vibration technology forces the muscles to react by contracting and relaxing involuntarily; causing an enormous increase in blood flow to muscles, tendons, ligaments, and tissues releasing hormones that are critical in healing damaged tissue.
About the WBV Platform
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The Soloflex WBV Platform is built to last. Made of 3” steel tubing legs, thick urethane molded foam pad over 15 ply-wood that can hold up to 1200lbs , the best quality motor and rheostat; just like the Classic Soloflex, it will last. The size of the platform is another reason to look at Soloflex. The platform is 41” long, 10” wide, and 5” high. Still small enough to fit under your bed. It weighs only 31lbs. This is much larger than almost all other units on the market. Most only measure half of that in length. The size is important to allow all exercises. Pilates, Yoga, general stretching, many resistance exercises, and movement for cardio all require the larger platform. A weight or resistance routine, as mentioned earlier, is the most important addition to your strength training. Soloflex sells the very best adjustable hand weights on the market. They have a very comfortable hand grip cover with rubber plating on the weights themselves to help with safety and sound as well as overall visual quality.
When you begin using WBV you will find the vibration levels that best suit you and your needs. The range of vibration should run between 25hz and 60hz for optimum results. Soloflex WBV does just that. The Soloflex WBV comes with an adjustable rheostat so you can find your perfect level. Over time you may up the hertz or always remain comfortable with the level you are at. It all works.
Senior Testimonials
“I will be turning 50 in February (2009), and I’m still using the same Soloflex that I bought in 1981, when I was 22. I’ve updated the weight straps and added the butterfly and leg extension over the years, but the machine itself is still the same and it’s still going strong. One of the best products I’ve ever owned. Soloflex No. 21133″
— Kean on January 27th, 2009
I believe that everyone is different and what works for some may not work for others. I also believe that I was suffering from a sedentary lifestyle. I’m a commercial driver, 52 years of age and moderately above my ideal weight. I purchased the WBV with an open mind and some limited hope. I am now one of your biggest fans. I sweat. I am both energized and relaxed. Stronger, more “vibrant.” I feel SO much better! I’ve since read some of the information available on the internet relating to WBV both pro and con. The differences seem to be consistent with the information you have provided.
I am very much pleased with the results after using your WBV platform. One word to sum it up? Improvement. Yes the difference between how I used to feel and how I feel right now. I own a Concept2 Model D Rowing machine (which is sometimes used as a “men’s valet”) your WBV platform and dumbbells. Your price is excellent, quality so far is great. My rating as of today has to be EXCELLENT. Thank you! You got it right with this product.”
— C on January 29th, 2009
I purchased this unit for my mom well over a year ago. Before your company had even put data out on it. My mom is 87 and does it every day for 15 minutes. She says she can feel a difference. She has her walker over it for balance and even does knee bends and alternately lifts legs. She is a trooper.
- Mick on February 3rd, 2009