Oklahomans Experience Whole Body Vibration

Whole Body Vibration, a program once used to train Russian cosmonauts, is cropping up in centers across the United States including here in Oklahoma.

GOGA Studios is one of them. It's located at 821 S.W. 119th Street in Oklahoma City. GOGA stands for "go on, get active." It's and is a health and wellness studio that features the whole-body vibration (WBV) machines.

Juanita Andrews was curious about the so-called 10 minute workout, which is all the time it took to hook her.

"This is the first place that I really wanted to try that I actually get up the next day and think I want to go back," Andrews said.

Janet Roten opened the studio because she herself benefited from the program following a thyroid crash. She said it helped her drop four dress sizes.

"In 10 minutes, it does 4,000 to 6,000 involuntary muscle contractions," Roten said. "It throws your body off balance a bit and your body is constantly working to keep itself on the machine."

The WBV machine simulates low impact walking but promises to do wonders on your body. The machine is FDA approved as a class one medical device. Roten says just 10 minutes a day three to five days a week can provide results including increased bone and muscle mass, better sleep, pain relief, more energy, weight loss and much more.

"People who are recovering from strokes and people who are relearning to walk, it helps incredibly with balance," Roten said.

As for Andrews, she said she feels like a new woman.

"I've only been doing it for two week, but I can tell a difference, my disposition is calmer," she said. "I have just got so much more energy than I've had in a long time."

While some doctors do believe the machine is beneficial to their patients, others are not convinced that whole body vibration can replace conventional exercise. Check with your doctor first before starting this or any exercise program.

The studio also features a Far Infrared Sauna, alkaline water and Himalayan salts.