Powerplate News
After another great month for Powerplate users who have seen the benefits of adding the Powerplate to their workout!
Currently we have some fantastic trainers motivating, encouraging and challenging our members. These members are seeing themselves tone up, get stronger, lose cellulite and inches, run faster and get fitter faster that normal training. They are also helping ACL injuries, stroke rehab and ms sufferers improve their quality of life.
Give Dan Fivey, Fitness Manager a call on 01242 545740 to arrange a demonstration session at Fitness First Cheltenham.
Brief synopsis and technical overview
Vibration Training is not a new phenomenon although current technology for vibration training is. Can using a Powerplate make you slimmer? Statistically and scientifically yes it can. Vibration Training was started by Dr. Vladimir Nazarov in 1978-79 a leading Sports and Biomechanical Scientists when he introduced vibration platforms in Russia to the Russian Athletes to increase strength following remarkable success in strength gains. The Russians were so determined to keep the success of Vibration Training a secret, Nazarov was prevented from traveling to other communist countries in case this secret was stolen by the West - hence why it was in 1990 that Nazarov conducted his first ‘open’ seminar and why the UK is only now reaping its rewards.
Muscle fibres naturally vibrate even when at rest resulting in muscle tone. The aim of vibration training is to bio-mechanically stimulate vibration frequencies to transform them into longitudinal vibrations of the muscles. Powerplate can stimulate muscle fibre contraction as much as 2500 times per minute. Considering that conventional training, for instance, a bicep curl will only activate between 40-60% of the muscle fibre whereas a Powerplate can activate 97% fibre contraction in a leg extension exercise.
Powerplate can reduce workout time by 70% : Exercising for 30 minutes on a Powerplate is the equivalent of exercising for 1hr 30minutes traditionally.
Powerplate can stimulate muscle growth to increase metabolic rate which will aid weight loss, through the nerve endings of muscle being contracted receiving this frenzy of information through vibration waves. The nerves respond by sending an involuntary response to the brain, which transmits a reflexive response in muscle contraction ensuring that the muscle contracts and stabilizes the limb or joint. Due to the quantity of frequency of muscle contraction the body receives a far more intensive workout than conventional training.
Obtaining these results from scientific research is simple. Electrodes are placed on the necessary muscle to be tested and the Electromyogram readings recorded. To aid weight loss even further, It is possible to maximise an increase in metabolic rate by measuring the angle of the joint to find where the muscle is contracting the most. Adjustments can then be made to activate various muscles fibres to correct posture. Correct posture creates spinal alignment. Spinal alignment increase communication between the nerves and muscles. Increase communication heightens muscle activity. Heighten muscle activity and metabolic rate is higher, speeding up weight loss.
Studies in America recorded an increase metabolic rate effect averaging 21.9% across a group of female adults exercising 3 x per week for 15 minutes for 6 weeks. Subjects did not exercise in the 7th week and measurements were taken in week 8. The average body fat reduction was 11.2% across the group.
Using a Powerplate is simple for weight loss as most studies conducted on Powerplate demonstrated a significant increase in muscle activity when exercises were performed stationary. University of Leuven in Belgium conducted a trial in 2003 which successfully saw an increase of 16.6% muscle growth when performing stationary exercises compared to a 9% increase when using exercises with movement.
Cellulite reduction can be significantly achieved using Powerplate . In the Sanaderm Clinic in Germany 2003 a 6 month trial on women using the Powerplate for 11 minute workouts, 3 x per week for 6 months led to an average reduction of 25.68%. This was achieved only using lower body exercises.