If you’re old enough to remember Jerry Lee Lewis singing his hit song, or even to recall your older brother or sister dancing to it, then you’re old enough to be concerned about your balance and your bones. Even if neither is a problem now.

Why am I mentioning these two health issues together? Because there is one therapy that can help to prevent both of them, and in some cases, even help to reverse both diseases.  And that therapy is a form of exercise, or rather, a combination of two types of exercise: weight-bearing (also known as strengthening) – such as lifting weights – and those movements that work on the ability to balance – such as yoga, pilates, and Tai Chi. You can combine these by doing weight-bearing movements like squats or by lifting weights while you are challenging your balance – by standing on the unstable surface of a BOSU ball or on one leg. This combo of challenges to your body really works to improve your balance while putting pressure on your bones, and muscles for that matter. (See the chapter in our book on physical activity which discusses this combination of exercises.)

Now comes a new type of training that purports to challenge your balance  and strengthen your bones and muscles at the same time.  It’s called “whole body vibration” (WBV). This training works just as you would expect: you stand on an level platform which, when turned on, vibrates rapidly. You can either just stand there, and supposedly benefit your bone density, or you can add your other exercise while you are vibrating, which will help your balance and strength in addition. The vibrating machine upon which you stand is called a WBV platform.

There are a great many studies on this training, particularly in the physical and sports medicine literature since it was initially used for athletes and as therapy after injuries. Many positive effect have been seen with WBV, including enhancement of muscle strength and conditioning, improvement of blood flow, and especially rehabilitation of all types of injuries. Different frequencies and amplitudes of the vibration, and varying durations, are used for different purposes.* Therefore, one platform with its own specific vibratory frequencies and amplitudes is not good for all purposes or all people. In addition, many studies support the idea that to get the best results, training on the WBV platform should be done in a progressive manner.

Initially, the WBV platforms were huge, exorbitantly expensive, and available only in a professional setting. Recently – as happens with all types of exercise equipment that appears to have positive effects – the WBV platforms have become available in smaller, portable, and less expensive forms, especially for professional gyms and physical therapy offices. (And I’ve read that Madonna has her own, of course.)

Should you run out and buy one? I would do that only after asking a certified physical trainer their opinion about it, and then actually training on one at a gym or at a physical fitness store under a qualified person’s direction.  The portable  WBV platforms are not all alike, especially with regard to the speed of the vibrations. While some of the studies showing improvement in bodily functions, particularly in rehabbing injuries, are impressive, there should be further studies on the possibility of negative effects of vibration at that level. In addition, the WBV platforms for home use probably need to have some kinks worked out before you spend a lot of money on one.

On the other hand, do I think WBV is going to go the way of the hula hoop (which is actually good exercise!)? No. The idea and science of it makes sense. Just look at Pilates and the Reformer: previously thought by many to be a fad, both have withstood the test of time and are now a respected part of many exercise regimens.  

So, as with any new thing you are considering trying that may affect your health, research it and try it under supervision before doing it on your own.

*Albasini, A, Krause, M, and Rembitzki,I. Using Whole Body Vibration in Physical Therapyt and Sport. Elsevier, 2010.