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Back in the old days, a weight/cellulite removal device hit the market claiming to jiggle the fat right off of you.
Of course, it was just a load of marketing nonsense no different than so many other baloney devices that hit the infomercial sphere every day. If it were true, chewing gum would make your face thin.
A fairly new device called the Power Plate is making its creators millions. Hundreds of people swear by the thing, claiming all kinds of varied results from it. Unfortunately, the device is entering the realm of professional sports too.
From a web blog called Fitness Equipment Archives:
As fans turn to the U.S. Open to watch world-class tennis played by the most elite players in the world, the players themselves turn to Power Plate to give them the competitive edge. According to Serena Williams, the reigning U.S., Australian and Wimbledon champion, and the favored choice to win the U.S. Open women’s singles title, “Off court training is as important to me as on court. With the Power Plate, I’m able to accelerate my off court training and maximize the benefits.”
Is this a paid endorsement? I couldn’t find out.
Let’s do a side by side comparison of the two “different” machines so we can get a really close look at what we are dealing with here.
So, one wiggles you from the top, the other jiggles you from the bottom. Same deal. Same device. Same B.S.
The Power Plate, they claim, flings the fat off you, strengthens muscles, makes bones denser, improves circulation, etc. Take a look at the bottom of the link for the scientific minds that endorse it. (Oh, c’mon. I kid those gals.)
But the device itself isn’t what is providing the meager benefits, if any, that one experiences. The fact that you have to hold on to the thing for dear life lest you be tossed to the pavement is what’s doing the trick. After the first time I used it as instructed (feet together in a semi squat position), my crotch chaffed so badly I needed to apply Aquaphor Extreme to my inner thighs for nearly week.
What will we fall for next?
Now, if she were on it, I’d believe! (Oh, c’mon, you know I had to!)
I've been involved in exercise ever since I became a member of The Charles Atlas Club when I was 10 years old. In 1998, I founded and established Serious Strength on the Upper West Side of NYC. My clients include kids, seniors (and everyone in between), top CEOs, celebrities, bestselling authors, journalists and TV personalities.
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Thanks for the laugh! You really do crack me up!
Hey, think I’ll lose weight if I laugh a lot? Kind of like jiggling, you know. Worth a shot!
I’m a writer, and I’ve always said that if spot reducing worked, I’d have the skinniest fingers around!
Hi Fred,
I’m going to disagree with you for once and to ask you to look into this some more. First of all, Power Plate is nothing like those huge bands shaking the fat off people in the 1960’s ! With the Power Plate you do a series of exercises whilst standing on the Power Plate, exercises like squats, and lunges, or you can lean on it with your arms and do press ups or triceps dips. The vibrations of the Power Plate make the muscles work a bit harder, it’s not a case of standing like a lemon on the machine and getting shaken !
I got a Power Plate a few years ago when I was first diagnosed with osteoporosis. NASA and Russian astronauts used a similar thing when returning to Earth because their bone densities had got so low when being weightless in space and using a vibration platform speeded up their recovery.
I do the Power Plate exercises in addition to Slow Burn. I’ve never been overweight, btw, I’ve always been skinny – that’s why I’ve got osteoporosis. But I’ve got very good muscles since doing Slow Burn (and Power Plate) – been doing both for four years now. I love doing Slow Burn
Anne
nice, but not nearly as effective at the “Tug Toner”! see Jimmy Kimmel.:)
Hi Anne –
Let me see if I can explain a bit better. If all you did was just stand on the thing, it wouldn’t do a thing for you. If you are doing exercises on it, it’s the exercises that are providing the benefit not the PP. If the PP is forcing you to work harder than usual, there are other ways to achieve that without the device.
I find it quite telling that these companies never do a single comparative study with the device. All of the studies I have seen show benefits but there is always an exercise component included.
“METHODS: A total of 108 postmenopausal women (65.8 ± 3.5 yr) were randomly allocated to 1) rotational vibration training (RVT), i.e., 12.5 Hz, 12 mm, three sessions per week, for 15 min, including dynamic squat exercises;…”
Confounding variable.
In this study, the PP it didn’t provide benefit:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20885202
In this study:
http://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(09)00103-0/abstract
there were no differences in strength using the PP and RT or just RT save for more fat loss in the PP & RT group. BUT since they did not control for diet, this minor benefit in fat loss CANNOT be attributed to the PP.
But note how the paper is titled: “Whole-body vibration augments resistance training effects on body composition in postmenopausal women.”
Well, no it doesn’t. Not at all.
In this study: “Effects of combined whole-body vibration and resistance training on muscular strength and bone metabolism in postmenopausal women.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20601282
Bone density did not improve in either the RT or RT & PP groups. Strength increased a tad more in the combo group, but not in all exercises. Why bother adding in the device for virtually no benefit?
In this study: “Effect of 6-month whole body vibration training on hip density, muscle strength, and postural control in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled pilot study.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15040822
A benefit was seen for vibration training in BMD in the VT group, but barely. The fact that the RT group did not increase BMD means that training was not intense or heavy enough. And, of course, the VT group exercised:
“The WBV group performed static and dynamic knee-extensor exercises on a vibration platform (35-40 Hz, 2.28-5.09g), which mechanically loaded the bone and evoked reflexive muscle contractions.”
“Conclusion: No vibration-related side effects were observed. Vibration training improved isometric and dynamic muscle strength (+15% and + 16%, respectively; p < 0.01) and also significantly increased BMD of the hip (+0.93%, p < 0.05). No changes in hip BMD were observed in women participating in resistance training or age-matched controls (-0.60% and -0.62%, respectively; not significant). Serum markers of bone turnover did not change in any of the groups.”
The fact that the RT group LOST BMD is indicative of a really poor RT program.
As far as I can tell, the device is mostly, if not entirely, hype.
Hi Fred,
I appreciate the links you sent.
I that readers here will appreciate that the vibrations on the Power Plate are of a specific type and frequency, it’s not just shaking like being in a shaky car LOL
I’ll carry on using my Power Plate along with the Slow Burn – the exercises on the Power Plate are very gentle and just 30 seconds per exercise – I’m in my mid 50’s and having osteoporosis at my age I will do anything (that isn’t harmful) to increase my bone density so I never fracture anything – osteoporotic fractures can disable and kill and I want to live a long and fracture free life.
Slow Burn is my main exercise though, the Power Plate is secondary
Anne
I hear you Anne and I’m happy the SB is working for you. The most important issue in BD is diet. No grains, wheat especially, and lots of good meats and fats.
Hi Fred,
No worries about no grains – I haven’t eaten any grains for over five years now ! I eat Paleo and get lots of good meats, fish and fats
Also get lots of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2. 
I’m lucky that I live in the UK, lucky because I’m prescribed Strontium for my osteoporosis – I wouldn’t take any of those bisphosphonate meds which just make bone brittle in the end.
Anne
On the topic of vibration…
Did you ever see this: http://conditioningresearch.blogspot.com/2011/01/optimal-exercise-guide-bodyblade-plus.html from Bill DeSimone a few months back?
Interesting stuff.
Yes I’ve seen it. There’s too much to say about it here. Bill is a very bright and experienced trainer. I disagree with his ideas on the Bosu and Body Blade training.
Hello all!
Since we on earth have gravitational forces to create a baseline compressive force, I don’t see the need for vibrational training. I think the compressive (and muscular pulling forces) of proper resistance training with the proper loads are the perfect stimulus to promote bone density maintenance. But, if you enjoy vibrational training, more power to you!
My take on osteoporosis supplementation: Along with D3 and K2, I would all a quality Magnesium product (Albion chelated, citrate, malate) and Silica (horsetail is a good source). Also, good sources of vitamin C is beneficial as well. Obviously a “Paleo” diet is a great place to start, just make sure to add in abundant greens like spinach and kale and colorful veggies along with the tasty fatty meat!
Great post!
In health,
Brandon
Kale – Brandon – I eat a 200g bag of kale everyday as part of my breakfast and lunch – kale is one of nature’s super foods
Anne
Kale is fine.
Hi Anne,
I use strontium supplements in my practice here in the US. I use one that also contains hops, thought to inhibit collagenase and inflammation and favor osteoblast over osteoclast activity.
For others who may read your post, strontium should be taken apart from calcium foods or supplements due to competition for absorption. I do not use it with any patients who have impaired kidney function, as it is excreted via the kidneys and could accumulate.
Despite the fact that D3 and K2 are fat soluble, “fat-free” labeling still sells, even on salad dressings. Thanks, Fred, for supporting the truth about fats. It’s time to reverse the damage that 100 years of food fadism and processing has created.
Hi Dawn –
Thanks for reading my blog and for your support.
Q: Why would one need strontium if one is eating a real food, paleo-ish diet? Does it augment or hasten bone density? How long do you give it to people? And don’t hops contain gluten?