Participating in fitness fads can be fun. It can add more variety to your workout because there are so many different fads to choose from. Elite Sports Clubs can help you sort through the trends to find out what is worth it and what is a waste of time and money. Let’s take vibrating platforms and hot yoga for example.
We’ll start with vibrating platforms, which are vibrating boxes or platforms that a person stands on usually with their knees bent while the machine vibrates their whole body 20-50 times per second. These vibrations lead to muscle contractions that are believed to produce health benefits. Manufacturers say these machines can:
- Improve circulation
- Increase bone density
- Increase muscle tone
- Increase flexibility and stability
- Increase the metabolism
- Reduce weight
- Decrease cellulite
- Decrease cortisol, a stress hormone
- Elevate human growth hormones
- Increase collagen productions
- And more
So what do the scientists and researchers say? When it comes down to it, these machines can be helpful particularly for those who are unable to do traditional workouts, for those who are rehabilitating damaged muscles or for the elderly who want to increase bone density and muscle mass. Studies have been done on elderly women who have seen a slight increase in bone density and muscle mass after using similar technology (the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 2004). However, there is no evidence that this machine can provide all of the benefits that it claims to. There is also the risk that injury can occur from the shaking of one’s body. Theoretically, it could lead to back pain or even nerve damage.
What does Elite Sports Clubs say? If you have a condition in which you cannot do a traditional workout or you want to supplement your regular workouts, these machines may be helpful. Your best bet is to work with an Elite trainer to address your specific needs and goals. Traditional workouts can accomplish many of the benefits that vibration machines claim to. For the average healthy person, purchasing your own vibration machine is probably not necessary but it can be used in addition to a traditional exercise program.
Another exercise trend is hot yoga. Hot yoga is doing yoga in a heated room. Different studios use different temperatures, but the session can range from 90 – 105° F. The heated temperatures are said to have many benefits:
- Detoxification
- Increased flexibility
- Increased blood circulation
- Decreased stress
- Burn significantly more calories than traditional yoga
So is it worth bearing the approximately 100°F heat? According to yoga teacher Taj Harris, “The heat allows the body to be more supple. It increases joint lubrication as well as flexibility in muscles.” Although the high temperatures are not necessary to achieve a great workout, hot yoga classes are a highly effective option. Here at Elite Sports Clubs, we offer many types of yoga classes, and hot yoga is one of them. If you love the warmer temperatures then hot yoga may be perfect for you. We also offer many yoga classes done at room temperature that are also highly effective, such as our Hatha Yoga class. This class unites the body, mind and breath while strengthening muscles, increasing flexibility and stamina. It develops proper body alignment, improves concentration and increases energy. We also have Power Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Beginners Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Sunrise Yoga, and Senior Yoga. At Elite Sports Clubs, we offer many types of classes so that you can select the one that is right for you.
So what can we learn from fitness fads? While they can be beneficial and even fun, it is important to be skeptical and do your research. The benefits associated with fads may be over stated and they may only be helpful to certain groups of people. Rather then relying on what is trendy, rely on what works best for you. The knowledgeable staff at Elite Sports Clubs can help you determine what workouts and equipment are best for your situation and fitness goals.
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