Easy-to-use machine for exercising core at home

Balance Wave Next - Vibration Machine

Brand: Alinco Fitness

Price: 22000 yen

Place of purchase: Home store

Rating:

So this is one of those pandemic purchases that have stemmed from a combination of boredom (at being largely confined to the indoors) and an extra motivation to stay in shape provided by the virus. Actually, this vibration exercise machine was my wife’s purchase but I’ve been able to get plenty of use out of it, too. It’s great as a way to add an extra dimension to my own home-based workouts. The machine is good for core training. I use it to add a little something extra to squats, push ups and planks. In fact, the latter seems to me to really be enhanced when maintaining plank position on a vibrating platform. I like the fact that this machine keeps the functions simple -- in fact it’s largely confined to vibration speeds (up to 16 speeds) -- and is large enough to accommodate my long frame. The remote control is useful, too. As well as for exercise I like to set this up at the foot of the sofa, place my feet on it and give the legs a bit of relaxing wobble while I’m watching the TV. Rather satisfying.

I think the first thing to say about this vibration machine is that it’s much bigger than you would expect, taking up a bit of floor space. It’s also pretty heavy so can, at times, feel like a bit of a hassle to set up. I also wonder sometimes that, for the price, it offers a limited range of stuff you can do with it. Still, I guess if you stick with it, use it regularly, and increase time / movements, you’ll get your money’s worth out of the machine eventually. It’s also super easy to use. We limit our usage of the machine to short, but regular, sessions as depending on body position we fear it could create an albeit mild bit of noise for the people who live below us -- something akin to an overloaded washing machine perhaps. Even though this is at the cheaper end of the budget for these kinds of machines in Japan, it’s still not cheap. Oh, and it will be a hassle to get rid of if / when the time comes.