Power Plate is a brand of vibrating platform used as exercise equipment. It consists of a vibrating base, which may vibrate up and down approximately 1 to 2 millimetres (39 to 79 thou) (1/16") 25 to 50 times per second.
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Usage
The machine is large enough to accommodate a person in deep squat. Traditional exercises such as squats and push-ups are done on the vibrating base. People typically do a series of exercises for 30 seconds to one minute each on the machine, with rests of a similar duration.
Claims
Makers claim that using the Power Plate for 10 minutes is equivalent to 60 minutes of conventional exercise. In order to develop strength, power, muscle tone, and definition, conventional exercises are conducted putting tension on the muscles while standing on the Power Plate.
The brand has self promoted the machine by highly publicizing its use by celebrities, such as Madonna, Jonathan Ross, Donatella Versace, Claudia Schiffer, and Natalie Imbruglia. Stevie Nicks has said that the Power Plate machine is a central part of her exercise regimen.
History
The muscle-activation technique through vibration was initially studied by Russian scientist Vladimir Nazarov; it found application in the Russian space program helping to prevent astronauts' muscles and bones wasting in space. A commercial version of the machine was marketed by Guus van der Meer and others since 1999 under the name Power Plate. The Power Plate accelerates mainly in a vertical direction in an almost perfect sine wave.