Privacy Isn't the Only Benefit That a Personal Trainer Can Deliver

(By Richard Thompson For The Washington Post)

Instead of the fins, he recommends you invest in instruction. "Michael Phelps gets coached three to four hours a day. If he still needs a coach, everybody still needs a coach," Britt says. Too pricey? Then join a masters team, a swim team for adults. (Britt happens to coach the Montgomery Ancient Mariners.). Helpful lane buddies can give you pointers, plus you'll get a taste of competition.

Let that perk up your time, not pieces of rubber on your feet.

I'm an active person (running, weight training, martial arts), so I'm not looking for an easy way to get fit. But I am always looking for more efficient or more effective ways to train. Several years ago, I started hearing about using vibration platforms, especially for building core strength. I remember that some of the NFL teams were using them. Nowadays, I don't hear about them anymore. Did they not catch on because they were not effective -- or were they too expensive? Do you have any experience with these, or any info on them?

-- Susie

To find out what's shaking in the world of vibrations, I turned to William Amonette, an exercise physiologist at the University of Houston at Clear Lake who has been studying whole-body vibration since 2002.

Yes, that's right, there's a scientific field dedicated to exploring the potential of what is essentially Magic Fingers. And as you've heard, research indicates that jostling can do a body good: It improves bone density, ups flexibility and boosts one's power. It's that last part that has made it attractive to some football teams (the Ravens use it, and the Redskins have in the past) and, increasingly, to higher-end health clubs. (The platforms aren't cheap.)

But if it's abs strength you're after, I'd stick with sit-ups. "The plate does knock your center of gravity off," Amonette admits. "But how much core activation do you get? I don't know."

Vibration research is still in its infancy. And regardless of what the Beach Boys may have told you, all vibrations aren't good. People who operate jackhammers and drive trucks develop back and joint problems from too much shaking, Amonette says. So although some trainers recommend lengthy workouts on vibrating platforms, he advises exercisers to limit exposure. "It's a tool to incorporate into an overall training program," he says.

Depending on how the next few years of scientific study shake out, there's a chance you'll start to see WBV everywhere, especially as boomers face bone density issues. But to get rid of jiggle, it seems like you'll be better off using solid ground.