The first time I saw the Power Plate at the gym, I had a flashback to those machines with the large belt attached that would supposedly “jiggle the fat off your hips and thighs”. Oh yeah, you can bet I spent some time on those gizmos way back when. Alas, those were the days when I didn’t realize that I’d be far better spending my time in the weight room or aerobics studio than on the Fat Jiggler. FYI, back in the days when the dinosaurs roamed the earth,”cardio” used to be known as “aerobics”. Aren’t you glad I’m here to enlighten you?
The Power Plate (and others like it) uses Whole Body Vibration (WBV) to increase the force on the muscles (ya know, that ‘law of physics’ thingy from Sir Isaac Whats-his-name?) The premise: You stand on the platform and perform various exercises while shaking like a leaf. I am still not 100% convinced that it does everything it says: increasing strength, decreasing fat and preventing osteoporosis improving balance, among other things, but it seems that some folks at NASA are interested in it to counteract the osteoporotic effects of weightlessness. Perhaps not so useful for us everyday folks, but worth keeping an eye on nonetheless.
As with most things scientific, we’ll know more about WBV in 20 years or so. Stay tuned. So far, it seems that it is quite beneficial for the frail and elderly, and not necessarily for the general healthy population. Having said that, I can tell you that I was more sore after doing lunges and squats on the PP than on solid ground. Does that make me frail and elderly?
Soooo, if you’d like to read more about this new “toy” that is popping up in gyms and mall stores around the world, head over to my friend, Janetha’s blog by clicking here, where I did a guest post for her while she’s sunning in Jamaica (SPF 50, natch). Since I was having a good-hair-day, I included a video for your viewing (??)pleasure.
Incidentally, the Meals and Moves Goddess just got engaged a couple of days ago on holiday, so be sure to send your best wishes her way and congratulate Marshall, her hunky-hubby-to-be.
Q: Have you ever encountered one of these gadgets at the gym or the mall? Do you know someone who uses it regularly? Did you ever use the amazing Fat-Jiggler?
20 comments:
I saw this on Janetha's, blog and I am so intrigued! We don't have this at my gym (yet) but I would love to try this.
Oh- I've tried one before in one of those " as seen on TV" stores- I'm not buying it either- but there are people who swear by them- for some strange reason- maybe it's a situation where you have to buy into it
My gym doesn't have one of those either. I think I'd feel a little silly using one. It definitely reminds me of one of those slimmer-by-vibration thingymabobbers they used in the 50s or something!
I haven't seen one of those in any gym I have been in. It definitely reminds me of those hip shaker belts from the 80s! I suppose I can see how it would make you engage your core more to maintain balance, but I think I put more faith in Bosu balls and balance disks.
Neat concept though..
I so want a go on one of those, anything that claims to shake my fat away has got to be worth a try!
Thank you for your sweet comments they made my day x x
Hey Deb! I just your comment on Janetha's blog about my guest post.
The sweet potato was dried cherries and pistachios and coconut I think.
The "bars" were actually tofu. It was pecan/oat encrusted tofu.
Well I just wanted to say thank you for your sweet compliments on my meals! It means so much that you noticed and if you ever want any of the recipes, let me know! :)
PS- I love your blog! :)
haha oh my god that looks INSANE! i wish we had that at our gym although i would have no idea how to use it!
I have seen this contraption before but my gym doesn't have one so I haven't been able to try it!
So nice to meet another Californian! I am in L.A.
Thanks for the affirmation of my father's deadlift coaching :). Appreciate it!
That is one bangin' piece of equipment, but if I'm honest it makes me think of the magic vibrating bed a la 'Planes, Trains, & Automobiles'!
My trainer had me on this machine a few times. It makes everything that much harder. I did my usual weighted squats on this and it was hard. I did planks on this and it was hard. I don't know if it "works" but I do feel it. It's a good machine to just loosen up too. I just stand on it for a bit and I feel "stretched out" a bit more.
The only "power plate" I know is full of spinach eggs and pumpkin pancakes with peanut butter. Seriously it should be outlawed to name a piece of gym equipment something that could be confused with amazing food. I mean just think you hire and personal trainer and the schedule for that day is "power plate" - how disappointed are you gonna be when you get to the gym and see that!?
Deb,
I'm totally intrigued by the Power Plate - my boss even thought about purchasing one for our office, but they are sooo expensive. Off to check out your guest post right now! :)
I think the old Fat Jiggler was around before I was born.
Lol.
I'm dying to try a Power Plate! Pushups would be awesome on it.
that looks awesome! I am always weary of new gym gadgets. I went on this new elliptical at my gym and ltitle did I know that it is a stair stepper AND an elliptical, so As I was doing the stride motion, then it started going up and down, I looked like...a freak but now I like it :)
have you seen infomercials for the shake weight?!? omg that thing is hilarious!!!
I have never seen that thing in my life! Then again, my gym is at my university, which is prettty ghetto!
I got your packages - I literally squealed with excitement when I saw the words "nut buttah", just so you know :) Haven't tried them yet, but I will give you my full review :)
You are really making me want to try this! Too bad my gym doesn't have it :(
I did a mini-Experiment on one of these! It was fun in a novelty kind of way but it didn't really make me sore. Although that might have been because I only did it for that one workout & I think the trainer was taking it easy on me not wanting to scare me away:)
I know I commented on your post on M&M, but I checked with my gym yesterday and they don't have a Power Plate! :( Crumbs. SO jealous that J's mom has one in her personal gym. That makes her and Madonna.
Please keep me updated about whether you notice any differences if you continue to use this regularly! :)
I got on one of those things at a hotel in Europe last summer and was cracking up. It did feel like it made doing stuff more challenging, but the vibrating was very weird! Chris and I were cracking up...
I think I put more faith in Bosu balls and balance disks.
Grow taller for idiots
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