Whole body vibration is a great option for cross training.  There are many benefits and it is a fast, effective alternative to resistance training that enhances muscular strength and power in both sedentary and athletic populations. Because of the low-impact nature of the exercise and the relatively low exertion required make whole body vibration an attractive exercise mode when working with obese and elderly clients. Additionally, it can be a good cross-training option for athletes wishing to minimize the amount of repetitive joint loading on their bodies.

Whole-body vibration training has been shown to increase muscular strength, explosive power and anabolic hormone levels when performed for as little as 4 minutes three times a week (Bosco et al. 2000; Torvinen et al. 2002). It requires relatively little exertion compared with traditional forms of exercise; yet studies comparing this training method to traditional strength training have found similar gains in strength and, in some cases, more gains in explosive power (Delecluse, Roelants & Verschueren 2003; Roelants et al. 2004).

Benefits of Cross Training

• ·          Reduces exercise boredom
• ·          Allows you to be flexible about you training needs and plans 
• ·          Produces a higher level of all around conditioning
• ·          Conditions the entire body, not just specific muscle groups
• ·          Reduces the risk of injury
• ·          Work some muscles while others rest and recover
• ·          Can continue to train while injured
• ·          Improves your skill, agility and balance

 It is always recommended that an individual should consult with their family physician who understands their medical history before embarking on any new exercise or rehabilitation protocol.  Exercise can strengthen the cardiovascular system, bones, muscles, joints, reduce body fat and improve flexibility, balance and coordination. But if you want to see all of these benefits, you’ll need to start cross training. What better time to start than now with whole body vibration?

One such technique that has garnered some success is Whole Body Vibration. This is a very passive treatment that is easy to do and seems to actually help. The patient only needs to stand on a platform that proceeds to shake or vibrate the body both up and down.

A recent participant study tested the effects of Whole Body Vibration. The aim was to determine if it had any bearing in pain relief. To determine this, the medical team tested three sets of participants. One set took part in traditional exercises, such as stretching and aerobics. The second group did this plus WBV. The results showed that the group that saw the most benefit participated in traditional exercises followed by Whole Body Vibration. Evidence is pointing to the fact that exercise alone is not enough to produce pain relief for sufferers. These patients also noted less fatigue as well. There is enough supportive evidence for patients to see Whole Body Vibration as an option for fatigue and pain relief therapy.

Whole Body Vibration is a low impact way to work out the body. In fact, in some cases, movement by the patient is not required. The patient must simply be on a plate. Any position is acceptable. Sitting, standing, it does not matter. Once on the plate, the machine launches vibrations through the patient’s body. They occur anywhere from 20 to 50 times a second. The frequency setting is up to the user. The thought behind this therapy is that the vibrations make the muscles contract or work. The muscle contractions happen very quickly and are very hard to replicate using other methods.

The vibrations work the muscles out in a very creative way. As they shoot through the patient, the body begins to feel like it is unstable. To correct this, it begins to contract. Its natural instinct is to counterbalance the vibration. This counterbalancing reflex is what produces the results. Whole Body Vibration is good for anybody. Users range from professional athletes to patients who must be helped due to physical limitations. Because this therapy is low impact, patients with bad joints can participate without the negative repercussions they would normally expect when working out.

It can even help with pain, fatigue, stiffness and stress. Some patients have had the extra benefits of happier moods and a calmer state of relaxation.

Read more here.

Here is a 5 minute Yoga Standing Practice that will strengthen muscles and realign your body, particularly when combined with WBV

•Keep the weight balanced through the whole bottom of your feet.

•Now engage your big toes. You’ll feel an arch forming

•Knees should not be locked, rather barely bent.

•Roll your upper thighs inward slightly

•Lift your lower Belly while relaxing your Lower Back.

•Release your chest

•Raise the top of your head towards the ceiling

•Relax your jaw with teeth touching but not clenched. Place the tip of the tongue to the roof of the mouth.

•Check of your body’s alignment, making sure that your ears are over your shoulders, shoulders over hips, and hips over the ankles.

•Now pick a spot in the distance, or on the wall, and focus on that spot.

 Try standing for about 2-3 minutes a day to begin with, and increase the time as you see fit.

At first, it may seem as if you are not working that hard, but you are, because you are using muscles that are not being used much anymore.

The benefits of lymphatic drainage are very important in today’s environment where pollution, stress and deficient immune systems make many people susceptible to contagious disease and viral infections.  The lymphatic system plays a vital role in the body by regulating the immune system. When the lymphatic system becomes blocked, lymphatic fluid builds up and stagnates causing the entire system to become toxic.

Using Whole Body Vibration stimulates the lymphatic system.  It causes immune response in the lymph nodes, giving the body better defenses against illnesses.  It causes the lymph system to drain more efficiently, getting trapped fats and biological intruders on their way out of the body through the circulatory systems filters.  In short, the vibrations of the WBV cause dozing lymph nodes to wake up and do the work they are intended to do, especially in the aging body where lymph health is even more vital to overall health.

Having excess belly fat puts you at higher risk of:

• Type 2 diabetes

• High blood pressure

• Coronary artery disease

• High cholesterol and triglycerides

• Many other health conditions

In general, you’re in risky territory if your waistline measures more than: 40 inches for a man or 35 inches for a woman.

Hitting the floor for a flat-ab routine may sound like a fix. Crunches and sit-ups will give you stronger core muscles. But, they won’t cause you to lose abdominal fat any faster. Instead, plan for a slow, steady and overall weight loss. About ½ to 2 pounds a week is a safe and realistic goal for most people.

The most successful approach includes:

Regular aerobic exercise and strength training

Nutritious foods in reasonable portions

A support system, such as family and friends

Did you know?…Whole Body Vibration has been shown to be effective at increasing lean body mass, which improves resting metabolic rate and increases caloric expenditure, resulting in lower levels of body fat when combined with a reduced-calorie diet. Whole body vibration enhanced exercise training improves the flow of blood and oxygen to the tissues which enhances cell metabolism function. It balances hormone levels like cortisol or insulin resistance.

With WBV training, you can get a full body workout in just 10 minutes a day, 3‐5 days a week.

Susanne Bennett
“There are many different steps in planning your goal of weight loss…”

1. Keep goals short-term… lose one to two pounds a week.
2. Write down your goal… and be specific.

One pound equates to 3,500 calories a day. To drop a pound in a week, cut out about 500 calories a day.

Susanne Bennett
“What is one pound of fat? It’s actually 3,500 calories. That means 35 divided by 7 — which is seven days a week — means 500-calories you’ve got to reduce a day. 500 calories would be… let’s say… a soda pop. Replace it with purified water and you start hydrating your cells with water. You’re going to lose weight.”

If you’re looking into supplements, Susanne recommends a soluble fiber formula, taken about 15-minutes before the largest meal, to fill you up and cut down on your absorption of calories.

She also recommends green tea with EGCG.

Susanne Bennett
“What is does is increases your metabolism. Our cells will burn more calories because it will increase in the metabolic rate.”

Susanne wants you to remember that weight loss takes time.

Susanne Bennett
“I personally like it when you lose about five pounds a month which means if you want to lose 20-pounds that’s going to take 4-months Give yourself a break. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

Check out the interview here .  Learn more about Dr. Susanne Bennett at drsusannebennett.com

It’s so easy to get started. All you need to do is to step on the whole body vibration machine, turn it on and have a ride. WBV gets your body moving, unleashing the numerous benefits of exercising- better circulation, lymphatic drainage-the whole system gets stimulated! You actually will enjoy working out with WBV! Getting moving has never been easier. Spending up to ten minutes a day on a WBV machine has shown to deliver extraordinary results. Fitness finally has becomes fun, in less time!

This is not a passing fad. Initially developed 50 years ago by Russian scientists to counteract muscle degeneration of the cosmonauts caused by living in zero gravity for long periods of time, the technology is now widely accepted by athletes and doctors alike.
At PowerVibeUSA, we believe that the consumer needs to know some basics about this technology as purchasing a WBV unit is an investment into your Health and Well-being! Unfortunately, there are widespread false and misleading statements abound on the Internet.

We want you to be an informed buyer and have compiled some “Buyers Tips” to help you make the right decision as to which type of unit to buy!

1. Check the quality of material used to make the machine. Make sure mechanical parts are made of quality steel. You may come across machines that are made of plastic parts. Plastic is fine for aesthetic items like covers & handles. Make sure the weight-bearing structures are steel as this will affect durability.

2. Make sure that the machine is sold by authorized dealers. Many people are not authorized sellers and are selling low quality machines. When in doubt check with the Main Distributor or call other dealers to check.

3. Does the fitness machine offer the full range of frequency required to get the health and fitness results you desire?

4. Check the warranty of the unit you are looking to buy. A 2 year warranty is offered by most reputable products.

5. Make sure the unit does not make strange or excessive noise when you first use it.

6. Make sure all the accessories are present at delivery.

7. How easily can the unit be serviced if needed?

8. If you are buying the unit as home exercise equipment, make sure that you have sufficient room for it.

9. Make sure that the machine fulfills your need. Do not buy something with more or fewer features than you’ll require.

10. Do not use price as a gauge of quality. Make your purchase a worthwhile investment.

PowerVibeUSA hopes that the information above is helpful in making your buying decision. When evaluating WBV equipment we are confident you will come to that conclusion that we offer the best products and service at the best pricing.

We sincerely hope to be your Exercise and Wellness partner for a long time to come!

In Health,

Dr. Christian Reichardt

President,

www.PowerVibeUSA.com

(VANCOUVER-January 17, 2011)—Although there’s been tremendous coverage of Boomers turning 65, the fact remains that many millions of people are also turning 50. Those individuals are entering the active-aging market with needs and desires that will help shape the industry, starting now.

“We’re looking at a huge market that, in effect, embraces people ages 50 to 100 and beyond,” says Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (www.icaa.cc), who is among those turning 50 in 2011. “While there’s bound to be some segmentation, certain values, principles, and social-economic forces are converging to the point where we can make some predictions for the market as a whole.”

1. More wellness programs. Wellness is exploding. The field has grown exponentially in the past five years and is projected to continue doing so. More than three quarters (77%) of respondents to a recent ICAA survey said they plan to expand their wellness activities. Wellness programs for older adults are growing in number. Among the 65% who have a formal wellness program, 46% of programs have been in place for 1-5 years.¹  

2. More wellness professionals. Among organizations and communities with wellness programs, 27% plan to add more staff.¹  “We’ll see more exercise physiologists, sports medicine professionals, chiropractors, orthopedists, naturopaths, and physical therapists on staff,” says Milner.  However, personal training, along with other fitness jobs, is expected to grow much faster than average in the U.S., driven mainly by the needs and desires of Boomers.²

3. Convergence of rehabilitation and wellness. “After the common cold, sports injuries are the number-two reason Boomers visit their doctors. Therefore, as Boomers work to stay fit, many of them will also be working with rehab professionals,” Milner notes. “The convergence is also being driven by a focus on function. Preventing functional decline is a purview of wellness; returning people to optimal function is the purview of rehabilitation.”

4. Rejection of stereotypes of aging. “We’ll see greater diversity in portrayals of aging and greater achievements by older adults,” Milner says. “Because of sheer numbers alone, companies will be focusing more on this demographic. To be successful, they will have to change their perceptions of what ‘aging’ means and what older adults want.’”

5. Increase in energy-boosting solutions. According to a Natural Marketing Institute survey, 82% of older adults want to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure they have energy as they age. “This opens the door to an array of programs aimed at boosting energy, from exercise to chronic health issue support services,” Milner says. “The industry will focus on overcoming the paradox identified by researchers a few years back: 69% of older adults exercise to increase their energy level, yet lack of energy is consistently put forth as a barrier to exercise.” ³

6. Redefinition of “retirement.” Workers over 55 are expected to account for 93% of the U.S. labor force’s growth through 2016, and many of these workers say they’re staying on the job not for the money, but because they want to continue feeling useful and productive.⁴ This trend means organizations will have more opportunities to provide health management, fitness, and wellness programs to help keep older adults as productive as possible for as long as possible.
7.  Technology, technology, technology. “Moving beyond the Wii, we’ll see everything from immersive games for lifelong learning and participation in social causes to more sophisticated ‘brain games’ and assistive devices that extend function into and through the later years of life,” says Milner. “We’ll also see more innovative technologies in support of aging in place, including e-health technologies and social media.”

8. Reengineering of industries to accommodate a healthier older adult market. The global wellness market is estimated at nearly $2 trillion dollars.⁵ “We’ll see an upsurge in wellness centers, housing, parks and recreation projects that will require new approaches by architects, developers, builders, suppliers and program-management professionals,” Milner observes.

9. Growth of “green exercise” and green communities. Hiking, trail walks, meditation gardens, labyrinths, cycling paths, gardening, and eco tourism will flourish going forward, according to Milner. Research has shown that five minutes of exercise in a park, working in garden, or in another green space benefits self esteem and mood.⁶ What’s more, “Boomers are fueling a new era of social responsibility and environmental stewardship, and are active participants in organizational ‘green teams.’”

10. More age-friendly cities. What began as an initiative by the World Health Organization  in 2007⁷ has now trickled down to cities across the US, Canada, Europe, Latin America, and beyond. In its push for the continued creation of environments that foster social inclusion and social participation, WHO stresses that “Active ageing is a lifelong process, …[therefore] an age-friendly city is not just ‘elderly friendly.’” Says Milner, “if we view active aging as a process that begins at birth and continues throughout the lifespan, then this initiative can only continue to grow.”

About the International Council on Active Aging

The International Council on Active Aging® is the professional association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry. ICAA supports professionals who develop wellness organizations, programs and services for adults over 50. The association is focused on active aging—an approach to aging that helps older adults live as fully as possible within all dimensions of wellness—and provides its members with education, information, resources and tools. As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies, including the US Administration on Aging, the National Institute on Aging (one of the US National Institutes of Health), the US Department of Health and Human Services, Canada’s Special Senate Committee on Aging, and the British Columbia ministries of Health, and Healthy Living and Sport.

1. ICAA Active Aging Industry Development Survey 2010.

2. ICAA Active Aging Industry Development Survey 2010. And, the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fitness workers. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. Updated December 17, 2009).

3. The Natural Marketing Institute. (2006). Energy. The Boomer/Healthy Aging Database.. And, Age and Ageing 2004;33: 287-292.

4. Pew Research Center, September 2009.

5. Global Spa Summit

6. Environmental Science and Technology 2010;44:3847-3955.

7. http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2007/9789241547307_eng.pdf

(Vancouver-December 27, 2010) What’s the difference between the day before your birthday and the day after? “Practically speaking, nothing at all,” declares Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (www.icaa.cc), a membership organization that brings together professionals in the independent and assisted living, fitness, rehabilitation and wellness fields to dispel society’s myths about aging..

“Whether you’re turning 30, 40, 50, 65, or 90, there’s no reason to assume you’re doomed to decline after a certain age—especially if you’re doing everything you can to stay healthy and active.”

Milner offers the following “E-tips” to help you extend a healthy life, or embark on one if you haven’t yet done so (citations available on request):

1. Expectations: If  you’ve been following a healthy lifestyle up ’til now, simply keep going; if you need to make changes, anticipate succeeding, not failing—and don’t let age be a barrier. Research has shown that thinking positively about getting older can extend your life by as much as 7.5 years.
2. Enthusiasm: Few people are thrilled with every aspect of their lives, but many have at least one area—family, friends, work, avocation—they feel good about. Identify an activity or connection that sparks your enthusiasm and make it your lifeline; try to extend that enthusiasm to other areas of your life.
3. Energy: Having the energy and motivation you need to age well are hallmarks of healthy living. If you’re fatigued all the time, don’t let apathy and lethargy drag you down; get a checkup to try to determine the cause—and the solution.
4. Eating: Eating a balanced diet and attaining/maintaining a normal weight are keys to physical and mental health; if you need to lose weight or make changes in your diet, keep your expectations high—you can do it.
5. Exercise: Staying physically active fuels the body and mind. If you’re already exercising regularly, keep it up; if you’re getting started, know your skill level, set goals, progress at your own pace, and be consistent.
6. Engagement: Volunteers have higher levels of well-being and life satisfaction than those who don’t volunteer; volunteering and other forms of civic and social engagement can play an important role in maintaining good health in later life. “Get involved,” Milner urges.
7. Emotions: Everyone feels down at times, but full-blown depression is a major cause of disability. If you’re feeling out of sorts for two weeks or more, talk with your doctor or take an online screening test at www.mentalhealthscreening.org/. In many instances, simply exercising and eating right can change your mood.
8. 8.      Education: Life-long learning is important to living an independent and fulfilling life. Start now to learn a new area of knowledge or physical activity. It’s good for the brain.
9. 9.      Effort: Changing expectations and embarking on new behaviors take energy and effort, but the results are well worth it.
10. 10.   Enjoyment: A healthy life generally is a joyous one. “Savor the process of being or becoming active, engaged, and truly alive,” Milner enthuses.

“The new year is a great time to take stock and ask yourself, ‘where do I want to go from here?,’” Milner says. “Emphasize the positive and don’t let your age, or anyone else, deter you.”

***

About the International Council on Active Aging

The International Council on Active Aging® is the professional association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry. ICAA supports professionals who develop wellness facilities, programs and services for adults over 50. The association is focused on active aging—an approach to aging that helps older adults live as fully as possible within all dimensions of wellness—and provides its members with education, information, resources and tools. As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies, including the US Administration on Aging, the National Institute on Aging (one of the US National Institutes of Health), the US Department of Health and Human Services, Canada’s Special Senate Committee on Aging, and the British Columbia ministries of Health, and Healthy Living and Sport.