5 Health Benefits of Whole Body Vibration

If you want to stay fit and healthy with little effort, whole body vibration (WBV) may be the answer! This fascinating exercise method has been gaining traction in recent years and has now found its way into gyms, homes, and medical settings around the globe. 

WBV was originally developed in the 1960s for Soviet cosmonauts to prevent muscle and bone loss during space flights, according to a blog on Sunny Health & Fitness. It is now available to all and easy to do. 

Simply stand, sit, or exercise on a platform that vibrates. Your body will react to the movement by automatically adapting to the oscillations, according to MedicalNewsToday. In turn, muscles contract and relax multiple times per second. Here are five incredible benefits of WBV.

Good for the gut
A study on rodents in the International Journal of Medical Sciences showed that 20 minutes of WBV a day for four weeks increased a bacterium that lowers gut inflammation. In fact, this experiment revealed a 17-time increase in Alistipes, a bacterium that helps improve metabolism and ferments food in the gut, according to Medical News Today. This same study also showed that WBV exercise increased immune cells that restrain inflammation.

May help maintain bone mass
For those with rheumatoid arthritis, intermittent WBV may help reduce the loss of bone mass, according to Science Direct. As it is also shown to decrease fatigue, WBV is an ideal therapy option.  

Not only does it assist in maintaining bone mass, this passive type of workout is ideal for those who cannot do weight-bearing exercises. As a result, WBV may be ideal for the elderly as it is safe and easy. 

Boosts circulation
One of the most immediate effects of WBV is improved circulation, according to Sunny Health & Fitness. WBV is shown to increase peripheral blood flow, which is circulation to the lower and upper limbs. As a result, more oxygen and nutrients are delivered to muscles and tissues. 

WBV may also help those with diabetes who have neurovascular complications. Other good news for those with Type 1 or 2 diabetes is that wound healing may be improved as a result of doing WBV. 

Enhances muscle strength and power
Professional athletes, including Olympians and NFL players, have incorporated WBV into their training regimens to maximize strength. This is because WBV increases muscular strength and power more than strength training alone, according to Sunny Health & Fitness. This is because the unstable surface created by the vibrating platform forces muscles to contract more intensely, leading to greater strength improvements. 

Optimizes recovery and reduces muscle soreness
After a tough workout, WBV may be your best friend. Percussion therapy, another term for vibration therapy, has been shown to effectively reduce muscle soreness and improve joint range of motion post-exercise, reports Sunny Health & Fitness. 

This may be due to increased blood flow, reduced pain perception, and enhanced relaxation brought on by the vibrations. After a workout, choose relaxing WBV for a warm-up or cool-down exercise to let your body recover.