Weight loss with double the intensity, less work

It bears noting that Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams have used this exercise machine. And so has Madonna, Claudia Schiffer, Donatella Versace, Clint Eastwood and the cast of his rugby movie Invictus. So has an 82-year-old man who can feel the muscle gain despite his advanced age. It’s called the Power Plate machine and what makes it so popular is how it can build a lot of muscle and help you shed off pounds with minimal work  at least a lot less than those intimidating mega-machines commonly used at gyms.

Resembling those bulky scales used by small airlines at airports, the Power Plate has a vibrating base that encourages weight loss using whole-body vibration or WBV. The Power Plate accelerates the body’s natural response to vibration, stimulating muscle response up to 30 to 50 times a second. As the platform vibrates, the muscles contract in multiple reflex actions, alternately tensing and relaxing just so you can keep your balance. Technically, if you stand on the machine you can already burn calories just by contracting your core muscles. But of course, the Power Plate works more efficiently if you perform the usual routine exercises on it, such as squats, tricep dips or push-ups. (A balanced and sensible diet also makes a lot of difference.) The machine can also be combined with other fitness programs like boxing, yoga or pilates.

Fit and fab: Fitness expert and US certified fitness coach Chappy Calanta and TV sportscaster and fitness instructor Reema Chanco are the local ambassadors for Power Plate.

Aside from helping shed the pounds, the Power Plate also helps alleviate pain, and improves muscular strength and power, bone density, cardiovascular function and circulation. The machine also helps reduce cellulite, which is why it is available in some beauty salons in Japan.

Forty-five minutes is good enough for one session. If like Madonna, you’re willing to invest in your own machine, home units cost about P150,000-plus. A more affordable option, however, is signing up for a Power Plate program at Wellness Concepts (which also sells the machines). Regular sessions are held one-on-one with a certified trainer.

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The Power Plate machine and training program is available at Wellness Concept, Power Plant.

Shake it, baby!: The Power Plate is a premium acceleration training device that accelerates the body’s natural response to vibration, stimulating muscle response and weight loss with less training time and effort.