One of the latest fitness crazes is actually quite interesting and helpful.  It is a machine that vibrates at a high frequency, and you stand on the thing and do various simple exercises.  The idea is that the vibrations cause your muscles to contract and you get something like five to ten times the benefit of the exercise.  

I tried one of these out at the fair, out of curiosity, and I was expecting to find some silly device like my friend’s mom’s old butt shaker that you would stand on while a canvas strap on the back gave your rear end a crazy shake (not sure about the theory on that one, but it was supposed to tone your gluts).  Actually, though, I found it very effective, and it really did feel great and like I was getting that much more of a workout.  I would have to put it to a several week trial to know for sure, but my initial impressions of the thing are good.

I think that it would especially be good for the elderly or those with limited movement.  Its seems to increase your flexibility quite a bit.  I am surprised that I haven’t heard of more pro-athletes using the thing.