Whole-body vibration training (WBV) can improve strength and has also recently shown benefit for overall fitness, increasing maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). No study has compared metabolic demand for WBV using either vertical or oscillating vibrations. PURPOSE: Our study aimed at comparing the metabolic demand of a typical WBV session using vertical or oscillating vibrations. METHODS: 10 young (age 21.7 ± 1.5) female sedentary subjects were asked to perform a 20 minute training session consisting of three sets of six 45 sec exercices, with 15 sec recovery. Three conditions were repeated in random order on different days: vertical vibrations at 35 Hz and 4 mm amplitude (VER, maximal acceleration = 19.7g), oscillating vibrations at 26 Hz and 7.5 mm amplitude (OSC, maximal acceleration = 20.4g), and no vibration (CON). Heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption and RPE (Borg scale) were monitored. RESULTS: Mean VO2 (expressed as percentage of VO2max) during the 20 minute session did not differ between conditions: 28.7 % ± 6.7, 29.7 ± 4.2 and 32.4 ± 6.5, for CON, VER and OSC respectively (p=0.103). Mean HR (percentage of maximum HR) was 64.7 % ± 5.6, 65.6 ± 7.3 and 69.8 ± 7.9, OSC being significantly higher (p=0.019). No difference was observed for RPE. When we analyzed each three sets of exercises separately, mean VO2 in the last third is higher for OSC (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: WBV vibration is increasingly used for fitness and health purposes, having the advantage of potential positive results in less time than traditional exercise. Our study shows a higher HR response for OSC, but no difference for oxygen consumption or rate of perceived exertion. However, towards the end of the exercise session, mean VO2 is higher with OSC. We can conclude that oscillating platform exercises elicit a higher HR response than vertical vibrations or no vibrations, and they could elevate oxygen consumption to higher levels, provided the session lasts more than 20 minutes.