exervo™ PE2 Foam Roller 2007 Product of the Year

Hal Lier, Nefitco.com

I was first introduced to foam rollers about 10 years ago when I participated in a cross-training class run by Todd Miller MA, PT, ATC of Putney, Vermont. We used them as a balance training tool trying, for example, to roll the 3' foam roller across the room while standing on it. I thought at the time the applications for the foam roller were limited. Little did I know the foam roller would become our most popular fitness accessory in 2007. Today, foam rollers are used for balance training, massage therapy, back care and pilates training and core conditioning. Early on in the process of sourcing a manufacturer of foam rollers we learned much about what makes a quality foam product. We also learned there's a big difference between 3' white foam tubes used for packaging and precision manufactured foam.

Our white exervo™ PE2 Foam Roller is a popular choice of physical therapists, pilates instructors, chiropractors and individuals. The foam exhibits a highly uniform cell structure which means the roller is uniformly round with consistent firmness throughout. The PE2 Foam Roller is one of our top selling products and has been selected as our 2007 Product of the Year.

We would like to thank our U.S. based PE2 foam manufacturer for their fine work in providing our company over the last 5 years with what we believe is the finest white foam roller available.

Whole Body Vibration - Next Big Thing, or Not?

Whole Body Vibration (WBV) is a new trend in health and fitness equipment. The user typically stands on a platform which vibrates at the selected frequency. Manufacturers of these machines claim to "improve circulation, strength, flexibility and balance" and "substantially improves muscle strength, performance and flexibility".

Let me first say I'm not an exercise physiologist nor an expert in whole body vibration but I can share with you my experience with a few WBV machines and tell you after 18 years in the fitness equipment business I'm skeptical of the claims the WBV equipment camp is making. When I first learned about WBV a few years ago I was very excited about their potential to improve fitness and well-being. This year I've tried out a prototype and 2 WBV machines currently in production. After the first use I felt nauseous for the next two days. I sensed a disorientation similar to the motion sickness feeling I had going deep sea fishing off of the coast of Massachusetts as a youth. I asked one of our managers to try the machine out as well and he experienced similar results so I knew it wasn't just me. I then headed to the internet to do a bit of research.

Google results for the keyword phrase "whole body vibration" produces articles and websites extolling the benefits of WBV but there's a whole other body of evidence based on years of scientific research indicating negative health effects from WBV. There is an industry built around the need to eliminate WBV from buildings, workplaces, aerospace and vehicles. Here's just one quote from Professor Alan Hedge of Cornell University: "Whole body vibration may create chronic stresses and sometimes even permanent damage to the affected organs or body parts." And this quote as well that I find particularly interesting: "Individual body members and organs have their own resonant frequencies and do not vibrate as a single mass with its own natural frequency."

The point of this article is to raise a red flag and point out the contrary information. Please read these articles and information from other authority sites you may find on the web before deciding if WBV is right for you. I also ask the manufacturers of WBV equipment certify there are no known side affects to humans using their products.

• [PDF]
  Whole-body Vibration


• Whole Body Vibraton


• Research Network on Detection and Prevention of Injuries due to Occupational Vibration Exposures




Hal Lier
Nefitco.com