Vibration exercise machines, or power plates as they're sometimes known, seem to be at the top of every gym's wish list, and whole studios and facilities are opening up devoted to them. While manufacturers claim the power plate will help you lose weight, improve performance and increase your fitness levels, they might not live up to all of those claims.
Weight Loss
In order to lose weight, you must burn more calories than you consume. This can be done through diet, exercise or a combination. It is thought that you might lose weight faster using a power plate because your body has to work harder by activating more stabilizing muscles to help you balance on the vibrating surface, which burns more calories. However, because balancing is more difficult, it means that you cannot use as much weight to perform exercises, and using lighter weights will not stimulate the muscle fibers as much as using heavier weights, which in turn means you burn fewer calories.
Functionality
Functional training means doing exercises that carry over to everyday life and improve your day-to-day performance. Exercises like deadlifts are very functional, as they require you to pick up a weight from the floor, which is something many people have to do every day. Vibration machines often are referred to as functional training devices because with their unstable surface you have to use stabilizing muscles to help you balance. However, according to strength coach Tony Gentilcore, unstable surface training has no carryover to everyday life, and in the long run might cause you to use bad form and be more prone to injuries.
Sports Performance
Speed and power are two aspects that are very important for athletes. Vibration exercise machine manufacturers often add increased speed and power to the list of benefits that vibration training might offer, and bodybuilding coach Christian Thibaudeau agrees. He believes that regular use might aid in increasing your power output and vertical jump, and stimulate your central nervous system, which is responsible for increases in strength and power.
Considerations
While vibration exercise machines might have some benefits because they appear to increase sports performance when combined with strength training, and might burn excess calories provided you train with enough resistance, it is probably best to view them as a tool that can complement an intense workout routine, rather than the only way to train. To lose weight, look better and feel healthier, you still need to eat a calorie-controlled diet and train hard.
References
- Power Plate: Benefits
- Eric Cressey; Chad Waterbury on Why Some Fat Loss Plans Fail Miserably -- and Why Body of Fire is a Better Approach; July 13, 2010
- Tony Gentilcore; Training for the Circus; June 6, 2007
- T Nation; Power Broker An Interview with Christian Thibaudeau; Chris Shugart; December 13, 2002
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