People are always looking for new and creative ways to work out and get fit. If those new ways involve less work than running, lifting weights, or swimming, all the better! After all, who doesn’t want the “get fit quick” methods that actually work?

Whole body vibration is one of the latest fitness trends and one that many people around the country are taking up because of the promise/hope that it will help tone their muscles with less work. But does it actually work? Is whole body vibration actually effective or is it a waste of time and money?

What is Whole Body Vibration?

Whole body vibration involves sitting, lying, or standing on a machine that has a vibrating platform. When you turn on the machine, the vibrations transmit energy to your body, and your muscles have to tighten and release hundreds of times a minute. Think of it like an instability platform where you have to consciously use your muscles to stay upright or in position, but the vibration repeats the muscle contractions and relaxations dozens of times every second.

When the machine is vibrating, it may make your muscles feel like they’re clenched all the time, similar to how your core muscles work when you’re doing Push-Ups. You can feel your whole body tense up, and at the end of your vibration session, you may feel like you’ve just done a complete workout.

The Pros of Whole Body Vibration

The main benefit, obviously, is that you don’t have to lift, squat, jump, or run to get the muscle toning. The vibrating platform is going to do all the work of moving your body, and the only work you do is clenching your muscles to stay in position. It’s called a “passive” exercise because your muscles are working without your needing to move.

Proponents of whole body vibration claim that the workout can help you:

• Lose weight
• Burn fat
• Tighten your muscles
• Improve your range of motion
• Strengthen your core
• Increase flexibility
• Increase bone density
• Reduce stress levels
• Elevate HGH levels
• Improve lymphatic flow
• Reduce cellulite
• Stimulate the production of collagen
• Tone your muscles even with conditions like Parkinson’s, MS, and arthritis

Pretty awesome, right?

The Cons of Whole Body Vibration

Now comes the big question: does it actually work? The answer, sadly, is not as much as you’d wish.

WebMD posted a statement by an expert that said, “I don't think it can help you lose weight or impact cellulite. There is really no solid medical evidence backing up these or other health claims." Other experts agree that the only evidence backing up the claims that these machines work is anecdotal at best.

The good news, though, is that experts agree that whole body vibration training can help to improve bone density and stimulate better circulation and muscle activity, especially for those with limited mobility.

However, for the average person looking to get fit, it’s better to avoid passive exercise — it just doesn’t work as well as active training. You’re better off hitting the gym, running track, or the swimming pool to get in a proper workout!

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