Weighted vest or vibration plate

Posted by friend123 @friend123, Jun 9, 2024

I just invested in a weighted vest which I use when taking walks. Has anyone tried the vibration plates? Seems like there are mixed opinions on both. Has anyone seen any success with these? Thanks

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Profile picture for njhornung @normahorn

If you only have osteopenia, you might want to look into OsteoBoost, the vibration belt that has FDA approval. Not sure where it is made, though.

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but not for osteoporosis? Thanks.

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Has anyone had any success with OsteoBoost vibration belt? also I'm not sure if I understand what the true difference is between that and just an off the shelf vibration plate other than that of course the belt concentrates the vibration directly to a certain area of your body, which I suppose could make a difference. Is vibration supposed to help actually increase bone density and strength or just maintain what you have?

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Actually I just found and read more details on their clinical trial results which is very disappointing. While the results showed that it minimized bone loss, the list of types of people Excluded from their trial is ridiculous. Essentially anyone who is at real risk of bone loss, iow the people most likely to need this device, were not allowed in the trial. https://www.bonehealthtech.com/indications-for-use/ --> scroll down to clinical trial --> exclusions So the way I read this is that if you are at average risk of bone loss due to natural menopause and have basically no other major health conditions or health history that elevates your risk, then this device may slow down the rate of bone loss.

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Profile picture for Rubyslippers @triciaot

To build new bone, there must be enough stress on the bone that actually causes tiny fissures and then your body creates new bone to heal itself. From what I’ve read, vibration plates and belts do not have this effect.

I had read physical therapy research stating that jumping from the height of a 14” block is enough to stress the bone - although it did NOT say if that was safe for people with osteopenia or osteoporosis. I don’t have that reference now, sorry.

Doing body weight exercises, strength training, weighted vests, and possibly vibration that cause the muscles to respond, all help keep existing bone strong. Estrogen helps keep bones strong. Unfortunately, that is the problem for many of us.

I think physical therapy is underused (I am an occupational therapist). A knowledgeable PT can help design the best exercises to fit a person’s individual needs. I’m not suggesting that ongoing therapy is needed, but an initial plan with some follow-up. An average person with no bone density problems can just use an athletic trainer. But a therapist is trained in BMD concerns. Choose a therapist who focuses on this area.

Starting next year, there will probably be some major disruption in medical service reimbursement, especially OT/PT. If you need something, do it now.

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Hi,
I am interested in your comment regarding weighted vests and vibration therapy to keep bones strong. Have you researched vibration therapy as a means of stimulating bone growth? Weight bearing exercises cannot be ignored for bone growth but is there merit in spending mad cash to help increase osteocyte production? I am almost 73, diagnosed at 39 with osteopenia, terrible dexi scores now. Not able to take pharmaceuticals of any kind. Have been taking fortebone collagen for about a year and a half and increased bone in femoral neck and hips but still lost in lumbar spine in last dexi. Exploring HRT and vibration therapy as add ons.

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I have been taking Bone Tite for 4 mos. in preparation for a dental implant. Is there any research on whether or not the supplement has a positive effect on the spine or other bones in addition to the jaw?

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Recent 2025 study by UNC, Wake Forest, shared on JAMA Network, on weighted vest use with or without resistance exercising during weight loss for 66 yo (mean age) women, link below:

“Conclusions and Relevance In this 12-month randomized clinical trial, neither weighted vest use nor progressive RT was able to mitigate weight loss-associated bone loss at the hip in older adults living with obesity. This study highlights the need for alternative or adjunctive strategies to prevent bone loss in older adults experiencing weight loss because exercise may be insufficient on its own.“

The study was only 150 women, but is single blind, randomized, 12 month.
My thoughts - if these women cannot maintain bone density using a weighted vest or resistance exercise, then I wouldn’t either, although I have osteopenia/porosis.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2835505

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Profile picture for Rubyslippers @triciaot

Recent 2025 study by UNC, Wake Forest, shared on JAMA Network, on weighted vest use with or without resistance exercising during weight loss for 66 yo (mean age) women, link below:

“Conclusions and Relevance In this 12-month randomized clinical trial, neither weighted vest use nor progressive RT was able to mitigate weight loss-associated bone loss at the hip in older adults living with obesity. This study highlights the need for alternative or adjunctive strategies to prevent bone loss in older adults experiencing weight loss because exercise may be insufficient on its own.“

The study was only 150 women, but is single blind, randomized, 12 month.
My thoughts - if these women cannot maintain bone density using a weighted vest or resistance exercise, then I wouldn’t either, although I have osteopenia/porosis.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2835505

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It was also a study of use in obese folks during a weight loss program.
I am intentional in my use of a vest, and only wear it for the purposes of maintaining strength. 68, osteoporosis of lumbar spine, normal bmi, otherwise healthy.

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Profile picture for mpc1 @mpc1

It was also a study of use in obese folks during a weight loss program.
I am intentional in my use of a vest, and only wear it for the purposes of maintaining strength. 68, osteoporosis of lumbar spine, normal bmi, otherwise healthy.

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What kind of weight vest do you use? How heavy? I was told it should not exceed 10% of body weight—have you heard the same? I was using an REI-fitted backpack filled with flat ankle weights in an interior pocket while using its chest and shoulder straps, but apparently it put too much torque on my hip flexors which stressed my knees and I have been paying the price since. I have stopped carrying any weight, reduced my mileage by 2/3, stopped doing lower body RT, stopped using elevation on a treadmill, and stopped using a stair climber, with no relief. Before using the weighted pack, I was doing all of this with no knee pain. 69YO female w severe osteoporosis in lumbar spine, normal BMI, otherwise in good shape. TIA.

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Profile picture for psanchez33617 @psanchez33617

Hi,
I am interested in your comment regarding weighted vests and vibration therapy to keep bones strong. Have you researched vibration therapy as a means of stimulating bone growth? Weight bearing exercises cannot be ignored for bone growth but is there merit in spending mad cash to help increase osteocyte production? I am almost 73, diagnosed at 39 with osteopenia, terrible dexi scores now. Not able to take pharmaceuticals of any kind. Have been taking fortebone collagen for about a year and a half and increased bone in femoral neck and hips but still lost in lumbar spine in last dexi. Exploring HRT and vibration therapy as add ons.

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I am 74. Have quite bad scores for osteoporosis but don’t want to take the meds due to sensitivity to most meds. I have the marodyne plate for two years now . I can’t really say it’s helped yet until my next scan in New Year. I am taking fortibone as I don’t eat dairy plus very good diet and vit D plus low dose calcium . I walk each day but can’t work out with weights as I suffer from CFS at moment . HRT tried a few months back but didn’t suit me as it lowered my blood pressure too much. You just have to keep trying to find what suits you I guess. What else can we do ??

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Profile picture for dancinintherain @dancinintherain

What kind of weight vest do you use? How heavy? I was told it should not exceed 10% of body weight—have you heard the same? I was using an REI-fitted backpack filled with flat ankle weights in an interior pocket while using its chest and shoulder straps, but apparently it put too much torque on my hip flexors which stressed my knees and I have been paying the price since. I have stopped carrying any weight, reduced my mileage by 2/3, stopped doing lower body RT, stopped using elevation on a treadmill, and stopped using a stair climber, with no relief. Before using the weighted pack, I was doing all of this with no knee pain. 69YO female w severe osteoporosis in lumbar spine, normal BMI, otherwise in good shape. TIA.

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I wear a hyper vest, 10 lbs. have used as high as 14, but the pockets were wearing. I only wear for activity around the house, including house cleaning. When I walked with it (exercise), my feet began to hurt. I am unwilling to risk a stress fracture. I weigh about 125.

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