Does vibrating exercise work?

Q&A with Dr. Oz

August 07, 2011 12:01:00 AM
By Drs. Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz/King Features Syndicate

Q: I saw an ad for a “whole body vibration training” program at the gym. Does standing on a vibrating platform actually do anything for your body?

— Jen, New York

A: Ah, this brings back memories of the 1950s and those vibrating hip-slings that were supposed to jiggle pounds off your butt. Today’s version is a vibrating platform that you stand on, and there’s some scientific support for its strength-building claims. We YOU Docs use these machines occasionally, but we’re not giving up our chin-ups just yet.

Whole body vibration is a technique pioneered by the Soviets decades ago to help cosmonauts stay in space for long periods without losing so much muscle and bone that they were rag dolls when they got back to Earth. It worked. But does WBV do anything for the earthbound?

The science is mixed but promising, particularly for improving strength, power, balance and bone density. WBV also might help keep weight off once you’ve lost it. Also, it seems to target the deep belly fat (visceral fat) that’s linked to diabetes and heart disease. And in one small study, people with low-back pain who vibrated twice a week for 12 weeks got relief.

So go ahead, “shake it up, baby,” but check with your doc first. There’s not yet much known about side effects, but we don’t recommend WBV if you’re pregnant, have a pacemaker or have a history of blood clots, seizures or a recent concussion.

You might want to check with your banker, too. Vibrating machines are expensive.