Health & Fitness
Would You Like A Better Body With That Shake?
By Emily Little - London, England
The French have a flair for enjoying life, drinking plenty of red wine, eating lots of delicious cheese and somehow managing to stay slim. While the French aren’t known for working out there is something that is taking Europe by storm—it’s called the Power Plate. According to some die-hard fans, it's helping women shake off the wobbly bits in half the time as other forms of exercise.
At first glance, the machine doesn’t look anything like the exercise equipment you’re used to. The Power Plate has a raised platform with handles attached to a post—it looks like a giant pogo stick.
Did You Know?
A low-fat or fat-free food is often lower in calories than the same full-fat product. But many processed low-fat or fat-free foods have just as many calories or even more calories than the full-fat versions.
Source: Nat'l Institutes of Health
Here’s how it works: vibrations ripple through the machine at 30-50 times a second. The company claims the movement works to stimulate the body’s natural response to vibrations-- essentially making the muscles contract and relax. The added benefit: the vibrations allow the body to produce force without any additional impact on the joints, unlike say in step class or on a treadmill. Makers of the Plate say every muscle in the body can be activated, awakening reflex pathways, promoting strength, secreting anabolic hormones (the good kind that make you stronger), and enhancing circulation (good for recovery, as well as minimizing cellulite).
But enough science shmience. We all know when we're on an unstable surface we have to work harder to balance. Now apply that same principle to the Power Plate. The machine is slowly starting to appear in fitness clubs across the United States. But will it be the next fitness craze? Stay tuned.
To find out more about Power Plate training, check out: http://www.powerplate.com/
Have you tried Power Plate? We want to hear from you. Tell us about your experience with the machine and if you would recommend it.