Vertical Vibration That Actually Works

Vibration training is having a moment again—but the best coaches never stopped using it. The difference between a plate that actually works and one that just “shakes” you comes down to fundamentals: the direction of the vibration, the quality of the platform, and whether the stimulus produces a measurable muscular response. Here’s how VibePlate stacks up, drawing on insights from performance coach Henk Kraaijenhof (a student of the late Prof. Carmelo Bosco, a pioneer of vertical whole-body vibration). (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

The Origin Story: Vertical WBV—Not a Fad, a Proven Method

In 1998, Prof. Carmelo Bosco introduced vertical whole-body vibration (WBV) to European sport. His early work with the Nemes platform showed robust carryover for explosive strength, and later practice associated vertical WBV with improvements in range of motion, bone density (including in osteoporosis and astronauts), and peripheral circulation. These aren’t marketing bullets—they’re the foundational reasons coaches sought out true vertical systems in the first place. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

Why Many Plates Disappoint (or Mislead)

When vertical WBV proved effective, the market flooded with look-alikes. Many were built cheaply, sold with exaggerated promises, and pushed as “do-everything, as long as you want” machines. According to Kraaijenhof, this hype led to misuse and even damage—not because WBV is inherently risky, but because bad hardware and bad guidance are. The result? A crash in confidence, despite the underlying method remaining sound. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

What “Working” Actually Means: EMG Doesn’t Lie

A quick litmus test for a legitimate platform is EMG activity (muscle electrical activity). If you stand in a squat on a non-working plate, you’ll see some baseline EMG. Turn the machine on: if the platform is doing its job, EMG jumps—your muscles are being meaningfully stimulated. Many budget platforms show little to no increase when switched on. That’s the difference between training and just vibrating. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

Where VibePlate fits: Kraaijenhof reports testing a U.S.-based platform that actually drove the EMG response—and he names it: VibePlate. Simple. Robust. It works. That’s the standard we build to and stand behind. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

Safe, Smart WBV: Train the Body the Way It’s Built

  • Load the legs, not the pelvis. Your legs are phenomenal shock absorbers (foot–ankle–knee–hip). Your pelvis and internal organs are not—don’t “sit and shake.” Train on your feet with solid positions and progressions. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

  • Be careful with hands/wrists. The upper limbs aren’t designed to absorb high repetitive shock the way the legs are. If you want arm involvement, use appropriate strategies (e.g., accessories with milder parameters) rather than parking your hands on a vibrating deck. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

  • Follow proven protocols. When you use the right exercises at optimal frequencies, vertical WBV’s effects are hard to match. The old Nemes units are still running decades later—proof that sound engineering plus sound protocols endure. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

Us vs. Them: The Short List

Factor VibePlate (Us) Typical “Them”
Motion Vertical (linear)—clean up/down load Pivotal or multi-directional “wobble”
Measured effect Clear EMG increase when on Often no meaningful EMG change
Platform design Open, low-profile, metal Plastic-heavy, cramped, handle-cluttered
Use & guidance Feet-on, fundamentals, progression “Do anything, as long as you want” hype
Longevity Commercial duty; built to last Strains under load; short duty cycle

How to Use VibePlate for Real Results

  1. Start with stances that matter. Squats (quarter to half), split stance, step-up holds, calf work, light hinges.

  2. Short sets, clean positions. 30–60 seconds per position, 2–4 sets, quality over volume.

  3. Progress one variable at a time. Increase time or vibration speed, not both together.

  4. Pair with simple strength. Goblet squats, light RDLs, push-ups with feet on the floor and hands off the plate if wrists are sensitive.

  5. Recover well. Mobility flows and gentle holds post-training to capitalize on circulation benefits.
    (Always follow your clinician’s advice if you’re rehabbing.)

Why This Matters for You

  • Athletes & coaches: Vertical WBV is a proven primer for power and position—use it to enhance what you already do in the weight room and on the field. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

  • Clinics: Reliable neuromuscular activation and circulation support without the gadget noise. Protocols stay simple; outcomes stay trackable. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

  • At-home users & seniors: A stable, open platform that encourages feet-on training and safe, incremental progress—no circus acts required. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

The Bottom Line

Vertical WBV never “left.” The hype did. What remains is a method with decades of practical success—when the platform is engineered right and used right. VibePlate was tested by a world-class coach for the only metric that matters—does muscular activation actually increase?—and it passed. That’s the difference between equipment and a gimmick. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)

Source credited and paraphrased from Henk Kraaijenhof’s “Vibration training is back… but it never really left anyway…,” published May 19, 2025. For context on Bosco’s vertical WBV, Nemes, and EMG-based validation, see the original post. (helpingthebesttogetbetter.com)