The thought of a vibrating exercise machine might evoke images of hokey 1950s
contraptions, but a growing number of athletes and top executives are
considering vibration as a way to shake up their exercise routines.
The Power-Plate, which comes in a $3,500 personal version for home use and a
$9,250 commercial version, looks like a large stand-on skiing video game
machine. Its manufacturer, Power-Plate North America, says it will not only help
build muscle but will also increase blood circulation, improve skin tone, reduce
the appearance of cellulite and increase muscle flexibility. It works by
exploiting the body’s natural reaction to movement. Simply put, when you are
standing on or touching a moving surface, your muscles involuntarily tense up.
The Power-Plate vibrates to makes your muscles contract up to 50 times per
second.
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Exercises are done standing or pressing against the floor of the machine. For
example, you would do push-ups with your hands resting on the machine and your
feet on the floor. Lunges would be done with one leg on the machine, while the
other stays on the floor. Exercises are done for short periods, usually no more
than 60 seconds at a time. An entire full-body workout can take less than 15
minutes, according to Sally Imbo, a personal trainer and owner of Casa Spa &
Fitness in New York. The sensation is like standing on top of a washing machine
during its spin cycle—only more intense. The Power-Plate can also provide an
invigorating massage at the end of every workout. The end result is a totally
fatigued body.
There are more than 35 studies that support vibration for various health- and
fitness-related uses. Still, there are some questions surrounding long-term use
of the technology, and the company itself acknowledges a laundry list of
contraindicated conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, epilepsy, severe
migraine headaches, tumors, pacemakers and diabetes, among others.
“Often, the contraindications aren’t because we’ve done research that says it
would be dangerous; it’s because we haven’t done the research,” explains John
Wilson, the company’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We have a general
rule of thumb: Pregnancy and pacemakers aside, we always say if your doctor has
released you for general exercises, chances are Power-Plate is going to be
beneficial for you.”
“Power-Plate really works you out,” Imbo says. “Top athletes feel sore after
using it.”
Power-Plate
877.87.PLATE
www.powerplateusa.com