American grid iron players use them on the side lines to stay warmed up, stroke victims use them for rehabilitation, and some people even use them to lose weight.
Called full body vibration plates, they're the focus of Darryl Cochrane's research.
Ruth Beran went to Massey University in Palmerston North to see whether these machines are beneficial, finding that they do increase flexibility and muscle temperature, making them good for rehabilitation and for sports people before a game. However, it is unlikely that using them would result in weight loss, although vibration plates may be useful for people who are just starting an exercise regime.
