In your opinion is this real science, or hocus-pocus?

[my opinion]
If weight loss or muscle gain were easy, there would be a larger population of people who were not overweight and had muscular bodies.

Without going too far down the rabbit hole the vibration plate reminds me of the old fat jigglers or shake weights. They sound easy and sort of seem to make sense, but when practically used result in minimal if any results.
[/my opinion]

I got This one from Costco awhile back when they had it on sale.

I’m not sure how much of a “workout” it provides, but it has definitely helped my stability after having one knee replaced and the other scoped for torn meniscus.

I'm mainly asking to see if it would be worth it for balance and knee stiffness.

The vibration aspect is a gimmick.

You can build strength and stability with (non-vibrating) balance pads/boards/balls, which is what they use during knee physical therapy.

I'd recommend consulting with a Physical Therapist for a session, who can get you set up you with some basic resistance band exercises for your knee/leg muscles and point you towards some inexpensive balance trainer equipment that isn't an overpriced gimmick.

After knee-replacement had a stiff knee. 35 minutes a day 5 or 6 days a week of a light bicycle ride gets rid of knee, hip and ankle stiffness.

I bought the Amazon Basic round balance board in January, and now balance on it for ~5 minutes in the AM&PM. At first had to use a counter top to to hold on to for balance, then moved on to barely gliding my finger tops along the counter until able to free stand. Also best to use on carpet vs slick floor.

Amazon Basic Balance Board

Wider stance is easier than a narrow stance
Wooden Wobble Board for Adults

Peruvian baby alpaca yarn compression bundle, made in USA

quote:

shake weights

See a physical therapist. Sometimes physician referral is needed.

I had something like that as part of PT for an Achilles tendon injury. As best as I recall it, they had me stand on a platform, most of my weight on the bum foot with my arms braced against a railing, and set the platform to vibrating.

quote:

Originally posted by vinnybass:
I'm mainly asking to see if it would be worth it for balance and knee stiffness.

Helped my balance, my knees are really only stiff after I’ve been sitting for awhile or when I first get up in the morning.

A warning here. My wife was working out at a gym with vibraplates in Maui. Her trainer had her head near the plate, and she developed acute vertigo from the vibration knocking the little stones out of place in the vestibular system.
Personally, I think it's hocus pocus.

I bought on second hand for $10. I use it maybe once a week. I don't think it has any real benefits but think of it as a warm up or cool down during workouts. I would not pay more than $20 for one.

Thanks, y'all.