BubblePopProductions

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Leeds
I am currently in my final year of foundation Degree Digital Media at Leeds college of art, and I specialize in story-telling using a range of mediums including interactive based content. I would say I am inspired by cartoons and comics, but also the little things that most people don't notice or maybe are not bothered about, like this strange women on the train the other day, I imagined her whole life in 2 minutes! or the way a silverfish freezes up when it feels vibrations in the hope it won't be noticed! OK so I admit I have an overactive imagination, always have, but that is what I like about me and I feel this only helps me in my line of work. My strength as a digital designer definitely lies in my passion for creating a narrative and a mood, I am interested in the visual construction between image and sound and I like to animate using 2D software and my own hand drawings. I want to bring "my world" to life using digital media.....

Monday, 9 March 2009

Whole Body Vibration Technology

WBV? I was looking at this a few weeks ago, hearing that it tones you up, improves cellulite, aids weight loss, makes you feel good by releasing certain chemicals in your body and brain, increases muscle, circulation, strength, and one study even claimed that it reduces the signs of aging! 
We have them in my gym, the power plate pro which are the leading UK brand in this technology at the moment, the commercial plates they manufacture cost around £6,000! they also do home versions for a little less, promising to bring the same benefits for you in the home.
how does it work? well apparently the Vibrations cause all of the muscles in your body to contract using 6 times your body weight as resistance, (something to do with the intensity setting you put it on) and apparently giving you an hours workout at the gym in 10 minutes!
It was first developed and used by the Russians who used it as an exercise tool for astronauts to use in deep space to help protect them from muscle and bone mass loss, (gravitational force in space is minimal therefore muscles and bones are not loaded as they are on earth) 

There are different types of plate, tri-plainer which basically stays in a static position moving up and down thus vibrating all of your body at the same time, and there is oscillating which moves in a see-saw like motion lifting one side of your body at a time, which is alleged to be safer as there is less impact on your spine, I don't think this is true however, I think it is just a gimmick to get you to buy the oscillating type as these are usually the cheaper imported "mass-produced" versions that are sold to individual companies who then slap their logo onto it and sell off as their own for their own set price, (I have seen hundreds like this on e bay and amazon!)
I would say it is a matter of personal comfort, I tried the tri-plainer version in the gym and didn't like the head vibrations I was getting, and have been having headaches ever since so I would go for the oscillating platform, however if i buy one it will have to be heavy duty and expensive!
But after much research I have decided that maybe they don't really work? I think they are a bit of a gimmick, especially with sales pitches like: "If madonna has one you can have on!" blah blah blah! 
I guess they work in conjunction with exercise and diet but not as they are being marketed as some miracle machine.

power-plate.jpg

1 comment:

connie wilson said...

Hi, Your questions are good ones. Whole Body Vibration does just what it claims to do. Only 10-15 minutes per day will give you the traditional 1 hour workout. The vibrations are forcing your muscles to contract and relax without you even moving. Add stretching and you will be able to stretch deeper. Add weights and you will achieve fast gains. I work for Soloflex,Inc. and we sell a WBV Platform that is larger than almost all on the market and is one of the most affordable at only $445. We run omni directional which avoids the jerking back and forth. Our vibration motor is very smooth and comfortable. All vibration therapy works no matter which type you choose. You will really love how it works and I suggest you try it out. No matter who you choose you will be happy. Thank you for asking the questions and reading my answers.