| Gustav Zander (1835 - 1920), a gymnast, physician, and | | | | were done on a variety of effects on the body, such |
| inventor from Sweden, developed never-before-seen | | | | as WBV and Osteoporosis, Developing muscle mass, |
| apparatus in the 1800's that used springs, weights, and | | | | Improving balance and Circulation, Rehabilitation for |
| pulley systems to create over 70 machines that were | | | | injuries, Weight loss, and the like. |
| used for therapeutic exercise. Many of his machines | | | | Fast forward to the 2000's. The technology behind |
| utilized vibration. Zander popularized his exercise | | | | WBV was proven and had been accepted in Europe |
| machines by traveling to World Fairs and by founding | | | | for years. The 2000's are when I began to see |
| early forms of modern day health clubs. | | | | several WBV manufacturers attempt to penetrate the |
| In 1895, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (yes- the one with the | | | | mainstream U.S. market. They were primarily targeting |
| Corn Flakes) was the next inventor to utilize vibration | | | | fitness institutions and professional sports teams with |
| technology for health and wellness. Aside from coming | | | | big machines that were priced in excess of $10,000. |
| up with Corn Flakes, Dr. Kellogg claimed his | | | | These companies were starting to get a small |
| Michigan-made vibrating chair was a magic pill that | | | | following but struggled to establish a significant |
| cured any ailment you can imagine. | | | | marketplace because very few Americans knew |
| The Germans picked up on the health and wellness | | | | about WBV or what it was used for. Millions of dollars |
| benefits that vibration technology offered in the 1960's | | | | were spent on advertising, but they pitched it mainly as |
| by developing an exercise technique called rhythmic | | | | an exercise and weight loss solution. |
| neuromuscular stimulation. | | | | It seemed peculiar that these companies were only |
| Then the Russians moved vibration technology | | | | focusing on such a small piece of what the machines |
| forward for good in the 1960's. The space race | | | | were capable of doing. WBV has such a wide range |
| between the Russians from Eastern Europe and the | | | | of applications and is capable of doing so much, why |
| United States from the west fueled research and | | | | shortchange it like that? And why charge $10,000- |
| development of all kinds of new products. The Soviets | | | | $15,000 for this great equipment? I knew that at those |
| quickly realized that being exposed to 0 gravity | | | | prices the average consumer could never afford |
| conditions in outer space caused severe deterioration | | | | access to this great technology. Additionally, since |
| of bone mineral density and muscle tissue. The | | | | many of these larger units were developed to help |
| concept of humans living with the constant force of | | | | professional athletes, many of these large units proved |
| Earth's gravity is where the theory behind WBV | | | | too powerful for the average user. |
| originated. | | | | More and more people were becoming aware of the |
| The Russian space program used Whole Body | | | | technology but were not able to spend big bucks to |
| Vibration as a way to simulate weight bearing loads | | | | get their hands on it until now. Many WBV companies |
| for their cosmonauts while training and rehabbing | | | | have popped up in the U.S. market over the last few |
| before, during, and after trips in outer space. Introducing | | | | years but consumers must be cautious. |
| WBV in 0 gravity conditions was something that | | | | Not all WBV companies are the same. Not all WBV |
| worked to simulate the forces of gravity when there | | | | equipment is built the same. I encourage curious |
| wasn't any. Cosmonauts used WBV machines to | | | | consumers to do their homework and learn about the |
| maintain bone mineral density and muscle strength. | | | | various forms of WBV technology and find out what |
| Instead of being too weak to walk upon returning from | | | | makes sense for them. |
| orbit, the Russian cosmonauts were returning from | | | | I believe that Whole Body Vibration is a safe, fast, |
| space in almost the same condition as when they left. | | | | effective, and affordable way for overwhelmed |
| Ever wonder why the Russians were so dominant in | | | | people can work out in less time. Take the time to talk |
| the Olympics during the 1980's. You guessed it...their | | | | with the people at different companies if you're |
| athletes were using WBV regularly in training and | | | | considering investing in a unit. Once you do choose to |
| rehabilitation programs. | | | | incorporate WBV into your life, I'm sure you'll be glad |
| German Universities continued their own research on | | | | you did! |
| the effects of WBV. An enormous amount of studies | | | | |