Dear LPG,

I found myself up at three in the morning one day not so long ago and, for want of something else to do, having made a cup of something and trying to get back to sleep, I put the television on only to find one of those sales channels explaining the benefits of WBV. 

I only know what it means because they enlightened me.  They were talking about Whole Body Vibration therapy; those vibration platforms that have become popular again lately and, as usual, there were three young ladies, dressed in serious sports gear, going through the motions.  I have to say that whenever you see a demonstration, they always use young people which helps when it comes to thinking that all these things are built for the young, fit and healthy.    

I have to admit to being one of those people that sees it, buys it and thinks about it afterwards sometimes, and about ten years ago I bought one.   I used it for a month or two but, like so many other bits of exercise equipment I have tried over the years, it ended up in a cupboard and forgotten.   When I saw the TV program, I thought about getting it out again, but my knees are not so good these days and jiggling them about seems like something that might make things worse.

But the television sales pitch, and the fact that I really was not in a sleeping mood at the time, got me taking a look on my tablet and I was quite surprised to find that research is now suggesting that a bit of vibration therapy might be a good thing. 

Apparently it can have positive effects on old bones and muscles as well as, for those young people who are looking to lose weight, and that may well be one of the benefits for us oldies too.  There are now so many different ones available and they are not a cheap exercise option, but apparently quite a bit of research has been carried out which looks at the benefits for older people and some of it is surprisingly positive.   I have read that, for some, it can reduce joint pain, strengthen muscles and bones, and trick the body into doing a lot more exercise without the brain realising just how much effort is involved.

I have had a chat with my doctor about his thoughts on my age and having another go and he suggested that I do.  So I am doing just that, and just in case it might be the answer for any of my fellow LPG readers I thought I might share some of that day’s early morning internet discoveries with you.

AH, Ladywell.

  Readers must be fed up of hearing this LPG message but we would like to again mention the importance of checking with your doctor before having a go at any new exercise…

AH offers us some information and research results…

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… and some idea of the exercises that can be done by older people on a WBV platform…

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