Do Vibration Platforms Work for Fat Loss?
Do those vibration platforms commonly found at fancy health clubs actually work for fat loss? Get-Fit Guy looks at the research.
Ben Greenfield
If you’ve ever been in a fancy health club or sports performance facility, you’re probably seen vibration platforms on the gym floor. These are platforms on which you can stand, perform push-ups, squat, or do any of the other exercises I discuss in the article “How to Double Your Calorie Burn.” But do vibration platforms actually work for fat loss?
In that same article, I describe how doing an exercise like a body weight squat after you stand on a vibration platform can indeed significantly increase your metabolism—by enhancing your fat burning and muscle building results. It turns out that while doing additional research, I just came across another study that supports that finding!
In this study, researchers noted that three minutes of doing calf raises on a vibration training platform causes a 60% increase in the consumption of ATP (your body’s energy currency) as compared to doing calf raises without vibration.
Of course, if you don’t have access to a vibration platform, there are certainly alternatives to shake up your body similarly, including
- jumping on a trampoline or mini trampoline as part of your workout,
- trying Tai Chi shaking exercises in between other exercises like push-ups and squats,
- doing jumping jacks, or jumping up and down in place when you take a break from sitting at your desk, or
- using wobble boards, bosu balls, foam rollers, and other balance devices to present your body with an unstable surface, especially during your workout, such as when you’re resting between sets.
Do you have more questions about vibration platforms for fat loss? Then join the conversation over at Facebook.com/GetFitGuy!
Woman on vibration plate image courtesy of Shutterstock
About the Author
Ben Greenfield received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology; personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA); a sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN), an advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta. He has over 11 years’ experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports, and as helped hundreds of clients achieve weight loss and fitness success.