Trendy vibration machines are ‘as effective as a regular work-out’ for losing weight

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March 22, 2017March 22, 2017
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  • The gadgets, which can cost £1,200, send vibrations through the entire body
  • Researchers found that the mimic the muscle strength benefits of a brisk walk
  • However, the popular machines prevent anyone from ever breaking into a sweat 

Trendy exercise machines that simply vibrate the body are just as good at burning fat as running, scientists claim.

The devices, which range from £165 to £1,200 – send vibrations throughout the entire body, mimicking traditional exercise.

They are growing increasingly popular among adults who haven’t got the time or motivation to run, cycle or visit the gym.

And the latest study on mice shows that they are on par with treadmills in helping to achieve weight loss.

Whole-body vibration devices mimic the muscle and bone boosting benefits of a brisk walk - without the sweat, scientists claim (stock)

Whole-body vibration devices mimic the muscle and bone boosting benefits of a brisk walk – without the sweat, scientists claim (stock)

Professor Meghan McGee-Lawrence, of Augusta University in Georgia, said: ‘Our study is the first to show whole-body vibration may be just as effective as exercise at combating some of the negative consequences of obesity and diabetes.

‘While WBV did not fully address the defects in bone mass of the obese mice in our study it did increase global bone formation – suggesting longer-term treatments could hold promise for preventing bone loss as well.’

Adults can sit, stand or lay down on a vibrating platform. When the machine is switched on it transmits energy to the body.

This causes the muscles to contract and relax involuntarily multiple times every second – simulating conventional exercise with no exertion.

They have become a popular new way for getting in shape for those who haven't the time - or inclination - to go running, cycling or visit the gym (stock)

They have become a popular new way for getting in shape for those who haven’t the time – or inclination – to go running, cycling or visit the gym (stock)

VIBRATE TO LOSE WEIGHT

All someone needs to do to get the most out of their workout is to add vibration, scientists revealed last year.

Adding a 30 Hertz vibration to an exercise session can boost its impact by up to 100 per cent, according to Dutch researchers.

The Eindhoven University of Technology study claimed muscles contract faster in response to the vibration.

To test their effects, researchers assigned two groups of rodents to three separate measures: the vibration devices, treadmills or no exercise.

One set of mice were deemed normal, while the others were genetically engineered to be unresponsive to the hormone leptin – which promotes feelings of fullness.

The animals were weighed every week of the three month experiment which was published in the journal Endocrinology.

The researchers found the genetically obese mice showed similar benefits from the vibrating devices and exercising on the treadmill.

Both activities also strengthened their muscles, and boosted their insulin sensitivity – protecting them from diabetes.

The researchers are now calling for trials in human patients. Professor McGee-Lawrence said: ‘These results are encouraging.

‘However – because our study was conducted in mice – this idea needs to be rigorously tested in humans to see if the results would be applicable to people.’