Shake up dem bones

Lloyd Shaw on one of his vibration-training machines. Picture / Carolyn Robertson

Lloyd Shaw is a bundle of energy, despite spending half the night with two dead bodies. He can't remember the first time he saw a cadaver, but the dead have been a part of his life since he was a child.

With a dad as a funeral director and a 15-year career as a mortician, Shaw, 37, has seen people "inside and out". Researching some of the illnesses that have killed his clients has long been a hobby for Shaw, who looks to find how death can be prevented.

Four years ago, three elderly women who died from advanced osteoporosis arrived on his mortuary table on the same day. It prompted him to start looking for ways to reverse osteoporosis.

He came across data about vibration training, technology originally developed by Nasa for its astronaut programme. Shaw discovered the training could increase bone density by 1.5 per cent every six months, a real benefit for osteoporosis sufferers.

After three years of further research, he opened the first Vibra-Train studio next to central Auckland's Les Mills gym.

There are now seven Vibra-Train studios from Orewa to Hamilton and the training has become the newest fitness fad. Celebrities including fashion designer Trelise Cooper and former TV presenter April Ieremia are converts.

Vibration training involves participants performing physiotherapy poses while connecting with a rapidly vibrating platform. As well as its its rehabilitation properties, vibration training can help with weight loss and increased muscle strength and tone. Shaw says the machines vary depending on whether the need is for physiotherapy or a good workout.

Her has the Australasian licence for vibra-training equipment, which he imports from the Netherlands. The Vibra-Gym is his introductory machine and it is only after his clients have mastered the basics that they move on to a more strenuous piece of equipment - the Body Shaker. Shaw is also introducing new models to target clients' particular needs, be it losing weight or body-building.

Even though you aren't putting your muscles through the motions yourself, don't be fooled into thinking vibration training is easy. Just staying still while being shaken to the core is exhausting.

"People often can't stand up straight away if they've had a particularly vigorous session. It can be like running a marathon," Shaw says.

Vibration training is not for pregnant women, people with pacemakers or those who have had recent surgery. You need to be eating a balanced diet, but don't need any special gear - just comfortable clothes and soft-soled shoes.

No appointments or memberships are required. Sessions take between 10 to 15 minutes and are priced at $10 for a basic session, or $15 for deep tissue massage to target conditions such as cellulite. All activity on the machines is closely supervised by Vibra-Train staff.

Shaw is so concerned about vibration training being done safely he has turned down many offers to buy the $15,000 machines for private use.

Shaw continues to research how vibration training can help alleviate illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, motor-neuron disease, muscular dystrophy, depression and strokes. He provides treatment free to certain groups, with direction from their doctors.

"Vibra training isn't a fad. I want us as Kiwis to take this to the world."

For more information visit www.vibra-train.co.nz