Power Plate Experiences
Janene writes:
I am currently using this system and have been for the last 5 months. I can tell you that it is not as simple as “just standing on a vibrating machine” any more than weight training is about “holding onto some heavy things”. You do have to put in the effort, like any exercise the effort you put in determines the results, it is far from a miracle treatment and is certainly not a scam.
I have found that for the time involved (15-30 mins 3 times a week) it is far more effective than doing free weights. I have built up my muscle strength, toned up and lost about 12 kilos since I started using Power Plate - I recommend it to anyone and everyone!!
Sandra writes:
I only have good things to say about the Power Plate. Am taking a 10 session course twice a week. I used the Power Plate (vibro gym) four times (30 secs at 30mz for ten minutes of training). Measured myself before sessions since I didn’t believe all the talk about it either. After four times (two weeks) I lost two inches in my bust, 3 1/2 inches in my waist, 1 inch in my hips and 2 inches off both thighs. The machine is absolutely wonderful.
The best thing is that you feel so great afterwards. You get a rush that makes you feel full or energy for days. Have bad knees and shoulders and this machine makes working out so great. You get a fantastic workout and don’t hurt your joints. You are a little sore after the workout and you know you have used muscles that you haven’t used in a while.
Jim writes:
First of all the cost for a Power-Plate is rather high, $9250 US, and there are numerous cheaper copies out there. The operative word is CHEAPER, in all aspects of the term. The research touted by other units is based (and copied) on research done by Power-Plate.
You have read the successes posted by satisfied users. Believe it! My wife has used the Power-Plate for 3 months and has reduced cellulite, basically eliminated varicose veins and toned-up to boot.
288 Comments
- Keith
October 7th, 2008Congratulations Jena. I promise you, It only gets better and better………. and so do the dreams:-)
Just soak up the experience , read as much as you can and understand the true nature of Vibration Training. This will give you the confidence you need to make good decisions regarding business ideas.
With the right mixture of education and passion its hard to lose.
- Jena
October 8th, 2008Lloyd, thanks for your response. It brings up an important question for me. After processeing all the research, I still find myself to be challenged with one simple question~ What is the true nature of vibration training?
What is your best response when asked- What exactly is vibration training and how does it work? I would love to have the words that distill an answer down to a few sentences or less, with out over selling all the many virtues.
Thanks for your help. - Jena
October 8th, 2008One more thing to add…I think this blog needs a section specificly for “training questions”. Advice for optimal training results for strong, athletic people looking to achieve more strength,flexability, lower body fat…
Whats the the best way to incorp.weight training,
yoga, pilates, mountain bike work-outs, long road bike work outs,with out over doing it? Questions like this. I know there are places strewn about with similar questions answered, but i think it would be great to have them all in one location.
Definately more interesting than the section titled
“PowerPlate Successes~ in my opinion. The true nature of Vibration Training…?
It simply allows your body to use involuntary reflexes , the same ones we use to not fall over , catch a ball or ride a horse as a form of regular exercise.
The best part about it , you dont have to be fit to do a it , just be alive.
We do have a number of sections for weight loss , muscle gain , running etc…, but like the people who do not read the articles before they post questions some people put up stuff wherever they feel like it. Its the nature of most forums unfortunatly.
- Jena
October 8th, 2008O.K Sure… but that answer is a little weak over all.
Lets say someone comes into one of your studios, never having seen or heard of vibration training at all. Having some interest in what it’s all about~ what do you tell them to give them a clear understanding with out too many details, especially if this person is relatively fit and healthy and interested in finding out how a vibrating platform could be of any benefit to them.
Sorry if it seems i’m beating a dead horse here,
but when i’m faced with this question i feel that i trip all over my tongue and expel way too much info.
I’m just looking for a complete yet intriguing answer.
Anybody…feel free to jump in here with your best shot. Dont know what happened to my last post on this subject , so here it is again.
There is no 1 good answer for everybody. You have to learn to read the people that come in and aim for their particular interests. You are after all dealing with the human body and peoples wants and needs.
Complicated stuff.
This is is hoot…
Power Plate have this on their website..
You can not…” use the Site in any way that may lead to the encouragement, procurement or carrying out of any illegal or criminal activity (including offences relating to the marketing of medical devices)”
The irony.
Power Plate at it again….
This press release about their new machine.
“The new pro5™ High Performance machine is the most powerful high performance vibration machine available in the world today”
“With 20% more engine output than the existing pro5 model, ”
An outright lie to steal athletes money. The HyperGravity “home” machine is more than 20% up in Power from the regular Power Plate model.
Cant these guys lie in bed straight.
I am back on CP…
A quick question for Scott Hopson…
This is directly related to Power Plates marketing to athletes…
This from a recent press release….
“The new pro5™ High Performance machine is the most powerful high performance vibration machine available in the world today”
Firstly , is this a true statement and how was this research done. It is a very decisive statement and is clearly aimed at getting money from athletes who want the most powerful model available.
“With 20% more engine output than the existing pro5 model, ”
I have tested a number of commercial models now as I am constantly asked to give reviews by such companies as Vibro-Gym , HyperGravity , Body-Shaker etc… some have shown in engineering tests to be more than 100% above the standard Power Plate .
I understand you are coming to N.Z. soon. If you wish to see the proof yourself and experience a sport model I am more than willing to have you as a guest at my head studio.
Until them maybe you want to do some digging and help explain the above , I am prepared to wait for an answer if it is not your exact area of expertise.
Thanks.
- John Weatherly
October 29th, 2008Great to see you’re back on the forum at http://www.coreperformance.com. Did they realize what a mistake they made kicking you off in the first place? Anyway, super to see you back. It’ll be interesting to see what Scott H., Power Plate’s “leading educator,” has to say. I agree with you that Scott must be first and foremost a marketer/salesman.
Just posted this on CP…
Seeing as Scott has not built up a reputation for answering my questions quickly . Maybe you guys could ask your corporate partner” directly to explain to the readers what Power Plate exactly mean by….
” most powerful high performance vibration machine available in the world today ”
Note: This is an engineering claim and not some ambiguous marketing saying like ..
” we think its the best ”
Combine highly misleading advertising ( if we prove it is not true which is easily done ) with statements like this…
“Power Plate International Ltd. is the ONLY choice for the elite athlete ..”
By Mark Verstegen, Founder of Athlete’s Performance
And we have a clear cut case of deliberate deception aimed directly at your readers and hence very relevant to this forum .
——————————————————
It will be interesting to see if CP have the fortitude to tackle Power Plate head on or are they going to take the easy option and attack me instead.
” Lie down with dogs , get up with fleas “
CorePerformance refuse to address our concerns even though we all offered up proof over the last few months Power Plate misleads the public on a regular basis.
I understand we cant win them all but it is disappointing .
On a positive note ….
Hyper-Vibe have taken down all links from its site to Vibra-Slim due to the rampant plagiarism Vibra-Slim was involved in ( entire sites copied and claimed as original work ).
Well done Hyper-Vibe.
- Keith
November 8th, 2008Wow Lloyd
Have just read the coreperformance forums.
Is it possible to be so blinkered and unenquiring in this day and age?
Making allegations about your selling machines without bothering to verify?
Sounds like P/p methods rubbing off ……
Don’t know how John manages to hang in there.
- John Weatherly
November 8th, 2008It hasn’t been easy Keith. I noticed ScottH, Power Plate’s leading “educator,” has not responded to Di Heap’s excellent question on the latest thread he started at http://www.coreperformance.com on the forum. It really is an oxymoron which I mentioned to their admin. A corporate partner (Power Plate) and they (CP) bring ScottH on the forum - he starts threads - didn’t answer my questions (or Lloyd’s) on older threads - and they shut the threads down. Now, here’s ScottH on another thread he started failing to answer questions again. Some educator, huh?
CP has Power Plate as a corporate partner but they are now (after they got ScottH on there in the first place) not going to talk about Power Plate at all. Does this make any sense at all? No! It shows that Lloyd’s term of “dodgy” to describe Power Plate is right on the button.
One of the reasons I’m staying with them has to do with helping to perhaps contribute to articles on sports performance when they relaunch the site. I enjoy writing, speaking, and helping educate people. It seems that Lloyd’s comment “when money talks, the truth walks” is also right on the button. I don’t know how, with all the evidence against Power Plate, that CP can continue with them unless it’s simply the fact they have been in bed for some time and Power Plate has a lot invested in this. This appears to be the bottom line!
- Keith
November 8th, 2008Well John I suppose that no matter how much they might protest some of the info must stick even if its in the craw.
Its not easy nowadays to rubbish wbv with the wealth of empirical and anecdotal evidence growing on a daily basis so thats not the problem.
It would seem the shuttered outlook on Coreperformance regarding P/P boils down to a misconception of the motives of people like yourself, Lloyd and Di.
Altruism seems to be an alien concept on Coreperformance therefore the only logical explanation is that there must be something in it for you guys to beat the P/P drum so persistently.
Surely it should sink in that with Lloyd making inflamatory statements that could certainly be construed as libellous by any who read it, P/P would be jumping all over him with their lawyers. Why the deafening silence then?
We know that in that case any publicity would be bad publicity.
I wish there were a way to quantify the effect the negative exposure is having on P/P. Not possible I know but whichever way you cut it you guys are definitely making an impact.
Legal action…
Power Plate shot themselves in the foot by putting a 20 point injunction on me already covering every thing I had ever said over 18 months (and I was going hard out at the time ).
I had too much evidence and even more up my sleeve I didn’t need to use.
Because you cant legal action against the same point twice unless I come up with some new “slander” they cant touch me. Besides I would love to get into court with them and they know that.
It would give me more exposure and help galvanize opinions in the industry .
Never before have I asked the same question here as on CP but I’m not confident of getting a response there so, JohnW, Lloyd, TC, Nick, Mike.. someone please explain about the dynamics of active movement while on a vibrating platform.
Specifically about motor unit response in the muscle/s targetted by the position on the machine if an athlete moves dynamically during the vibration. Is it still 100% muscle fibre response when movement means the muscle is out of sync with the vibrations passing thru it - Doesn’t movement while the machine vibrates simply defeat the whole inhibition process?
Is the need to move whilst on the platform determined by the program and Instructor’s choice Or is it in some instances necessary to make up for a lower quality product?
Scott Hopson of Power Plate declares me anti-competive at a meeting for putting “all” other brands down .
No Scott not ALL brands , just the unethical ones, and you just happen to promote the worst we have seen . My advice , stop crying about it and sort them out if you dont like the negative press.
There is so much wrong with trying to fully activate an involuntary reflex during a voluntary movement I don’t know where to start. It really needs a zoology lesson but here is the short answer..
The cellular access range of 100% is best achieved in a Relaxed —> Tension –> Relaxed cycle. Any mistiming by our voluntary movement will compromise this % and stop our muscles keeping up with the platform.
Most companies like Power Plate apply movement to the program to make up for a lack of gravity load from the machine , some just copy because they have no idea what they are doing and they don’t want to be left out.
The idea…
By getting you to work against the vibration and gravity by going up and down it makes it appear harder. But 2 things should be noted..
(a) You would get tired going up and down yourself anyway because you are producing your own gravity load effect , so why buy a machine ?
(b) You actually fatigue faster because you have less cells to access.
Think about this….
Even Power Plates own advertising says 40% of your cells are used in voluntary exercise , does this not clarify its an ineffective way to use a muscle ?
Proof is in the pudding…
If what they say is correct and you need to move around to get the whole muscle working , my static only program for 3 yrs now would not allow me to build up muscles that are symmetrical and functional. They would by now be a weird shape, my range of motion would be limited and I would have weak spots in the muscle.
What do you think Di ?
Note: Movement does have its place in Low Energy Vibration Therapy/Training
- John Weatherly
November 13th, 2008I just put up a prompt for ScottH on the forum at http://www.coreperformance.com to see if he will answer Di’s excellent questions. I also asked him to comment on a recent study published in JSCR by Lamont et al. It amazes me that Danielle on the nutrition section of this forum responds to questions in a timely manner but they don’t even expect the same from Scott?
Power Plate still at it, this from another forum…..
http://www.topix.net/forum/health/osteoporosis/TMJN6NVQ4B0DMV8UN/p19#lastPost
The site identifies where in the world the post comes from, in this case Johannesburg, South Africa
Lloyd,
What can you do if you already bought a Power plate, having problems with it, and realize the machine from the Netherlands (promised verbaly and on paper) is from China.- John Wetherly
November 15th, 2008Well, I noticed Lloyd informed the coreperformance community (see the performance section of the forum at http://www.coreperformance.com)that ScottH, Power Plate’s leading educator, was in NZ and has refused to meet Lloyd face to face.
I just tried to put up an “educational post” on motor unit recruitment during exercise at http://www.coreperformance.com and it said the server was down. I wonder if this is just a coincidence or if it had something to do with Lloyd’s most recent post?
I hope enough noise is made so the person in South Africa gets some satisfaction. I’m wondering if the forum at http://www.coreperformance.com is “down” to prevent noise being made. They are probably not happy that Lloyd asked Scott for a face to face meeting while Scott is in NZ, Scott refused, and Lloyd broadcast it on the forum.
I guess “silence is golden.”
Lloyd, Thanks for your reply about dynamic movement while using a vibration machine. I can understand that it has some purpose when the machine is set at very low force; high amplitude, like just for a rebalancing response making the movements harder to perform accurately, or for simple movement like yoga, not really moving at all with the platform slowly moving. I don’t see how movement like squats up and down or moving versions of pelvic stability (plank) still attain 100% muscle fibre recruitment - can’t happen unless you can say it’s “100% confused muscle fibre recruitment”
JohnW, I’ve been silent also as I’d hoped that Scott would reply to my questions. He hasn’t so I will break silence to say that I went along to a talk he gave in Auckland last week. It was informative about Sports Performance and Vibration Training in general and PowerPlate use in Sports Training specifically, about muscle response. Very interesting as the vibration therapy/training approach differed from what I’m familiar with. (I went with an open mind, putting aside my disgust at proven wrongdoing by PP, to see current machines and program methods.)
At first I saw it as just a different way of achieving results but the more I’ve thought about the methods the more questions I have, that seem will not be answered. Even before the evening was over It seemed such complicated programming compared with the safety program I use and see in use several times weekly that gives great results to the general population, and athletes who can repeat some poses at the end of the set program for extra training results.
A week of thought about it all has given me greater appreciation of Lloyd’s Safety Program. I’ve seen the results in athletes winning competitions and regular people saying they are free from aches/pains and fitter, more able to enjoy life.
Also attending this lecture plus talking with another Instructor has given me an even deeper appreciation and awareness of the use of “biomechanical markers” on machines - handlebar shape and plate shape with specific places to put your knees, toes, hands in accurate position and ways of ensuring your feet, back, bum are correctly positioned. Only one brand I’ve used has this and it works regardless of the size or height of the person using the machine. The PP machines didn’t have these markers.
Scott Hopsons own words on CP….
“What I would LOVE, Lloyd, is for all of us to learn and gain insight from YOUR obvious wealth of understanding and experience in Vibration Training”
So his reputation is now dead in the water on CP. Athletes will see right through his “no show” at my invitation and see it for what it is .
He simply wasnt man enough to come in.
Scott Hopson….
“I think such discussions would be better served over a cold beer, rather than a public forum.”
Yea right !!
I just returned from the Melbourne general practitioners conference today, where I met more than a few doctors who were considering buying a power plate. I pointed them to this website for more information on vibration training. For any of those doctors that might be reading this site and don’t know how to use the search function, perhaps you might give us a summary on your experiences with power plate Lloyd?
This posted on CorePerformance for Scott Hopson to answer…
Dear Scott….
——————————————————————————–
Firstly to make it clear, I never attacked you personally Scott nor did anyone else on this forum , we just asked you questions regarding your opinion on Power Plates activities so we could gauge if the advice we get from you in regards to Vibration Training is honest advice or marketing , if you read below you will understand why its so relevant to this forum.
Ethics are important…
It must be understood by the reader allot of programs released from Vibration Training companies are based purely on the limitations of the machine they are selling at the time. Not pure scientific principles.
EG.. Companies selling cheaper lighter machines will recommend very long workouts rather than increase the quality of their product. Or get you to move around on the machine so you produce the gravity load ( acceleration ) the machine fails to produce. I have seen the programs change dramatically in accordance with the product fade that comes from building cheap and they quite often hire people like me to baffle the consumer with a plausible theory.
Perfect example you can check for yourself….
In 2004-2005 ….Among other points I gave a detailed recommendation for scaling up the power on a companies product being actively sold as a sports unit to athletes, as I had engineering reports the units did not run to spec and lost massive performance under any weight over 80Kg . Athletes were instead being told it was the BEST unit that could be produced and charged allot for the privilege
I have explanations from a list of “expert academics” hired by that company that clearly state this was not important and I was wrong.
They have now released a “sports” unit with an increase of 20% power as a selling point to athletes .
You care to tell us who that was Scott , or you want me to answer it ?.
An overview , not a book ? Ok just a short list to highlight their lack of respect for the medical community.
(1) Use Doctors and well known academics names on a supposed “Medical Advisory Board”. When individuals were informed Power Plate were forced to take down the list.
(2) In a sign of total disrespect Power Plate use well known researchers studies and attach it to their untested units . These academics have asked Power Plate to stop. Power Plate continue to this day.
(3) Fabricate disability endorsements and use those endorsements in its advertising.
(4) Label machines made in China with stickers telling the consumer they are made in Europe.
(5) Tell consumers Power Plate are allowed to use the NASA seal of approval.
(6) Precisely engineered steel machines tested at a German University in 2003 , these tests results were attached to untested plastic machines from China the following year.
Note; Engineering tests showed the Chinese units did not match the advertising used to sell it. Power Plate attempted legal action to cover this up.
(7) Photo evidence on research papers doctored in an attempt to fool the consumer the machine has indeed been involved in research.
(8) Supply researchers with fabricated material on machine specifications putting at risk years of honest researchers work.
(9) Ignored advice for product recalls , diversion of said product to “soft targets”( any consumer unlikely to complain due to lack of knowledge or resoursces )
(10) Claiming their machines to be Class 1 medical devices .
Both KEMA and TUV the organizations responsable for such listings say a Vibration platform has to be a class 2A , class 1 is only for low risk medical device like plasters and bandages.
Regarding the MDD.
I can tell you it is impossible to register a vibration platform as a class 1 medical device, a class 1 device cannot be an active device, i.e. cannot be powered by electricity. No certification board in the world could pass it.
Anyone have a link to that claim?
Murray This is a .pdf version
Thanks Di,
I don’t know what to say.
wow
The thread at Core Performance has been closed by admin.
Disappointed as I was interested in PowerPlate’s programming for the machines. Using conventional resistance training workout variables on vibration platforms is so different to all I’ve learnt to date. Of course the rules relating to the human body are the same, and are used, but those rules seemed to be being broken by their programming so I was trying to understand and ask questions.
They’ve just given away a valuable way of getting their product and Vibration Therapy and Training known to readers of CP. Lost any goodwill from me, not that I matter but others were also reading those forums! That was just one forum amongst many others. Why Close it? What are they wanting to remain covered up?
Murray is right about the MDD,
As far as i know you will need to drive the occillators with 12v power supply to pass the MDD test.
The EMC/LVD directives in a class 1 medical device is very difficult to pass. You have to isolate the oscillators/motors extremely well to prevent electromagnetic radiation. Difficult and expensive, but, ok, it can be done.
Here is a small but interesting study of blood flow to the skin during vibration training and what Fqs are better lower or higher .
http://www.medscimonit.com/fulltxt.php?ICID=836575&refid=a
The study indicated that 50Hz was superior to 30Hz.
But seeing it was done on a Power Plate who knows what the real Fq was so I sent the author an email regarding this subject , just so they could adjust the data if needed.
This was the response…….
We will check again on that , thanks.
We did find that if the person wasn’t dead center, on the highest amplitude, the platform started a large component of side to side vibration.Do I need to say it again , proof that Power Plates advertised “3D” vibration really means……..
” we cant control our machines “
Power Plates only showroom in N.Z. and its head office in Parnell has closed its doors. They are now trying desperatly to sell machines from a house.
So they have failed to successfully relaunch after PP INT stepped in to save face when PP N.Z. Ltd was liquidated last year.
VERY IMPORTANT……..
A call to all the industry……
Power Plate is claiming patent infringement in its attempt to sue a small import company in the U.S.
http://dockets.justia.com/docket/court-ilndce/case_no-1:2008cv05919/case_id-224789/
It sells apart from other sporting goods Vibration Training equipment from China. It is my suspicion that Power Plate has picked on a small company not communicating with the greater industry in the hopes of getting a decision based on this companies inability to defend itself.
If the decision is in Power Plates favor it could effect us all , as allot of cases are decided on precedents’ They could be using this simply as a precedent case.
Please send me ANY information pertaining to this subject , no matter how small , to …..
October 7th, 2008
Hey Vibe~Guys
I just wanted to share with you my experience. After months of searching and wading through the confusing and conflicting info on WBV, I found YOU and “saw the light” (for keith). I’ve read through everything here and continue to do so. Thanx for your insightful “scriptures”.
I took your advise and purchased a Hypergravity-Total Vibe(one up from the personal) mostly cause it looks cooler and it has a larger platform.
I went to visit their factory and showroom (in southern California) and to meet their owner- Josh Hayon. All in all very impressive. Josh is a great guy with wonderful positive energy and definitely comes from a place of sharing knowledge.
I took a tour of the factory to see how all the parts are made and machines put together (completely USA made) this was fascinating! Great experience for anyone interested in purchasing a Hypergravity! (and saved $ on shipping too).
Anyway I’ve been training for two weeks now using Lloyds protocal 3x a wk.& Bullet poses.
I totally love it! I have taken a break from conventional training for the sake of experimention. I can’t believe what an excellent work-out it really is. My body definately feels the benefit of the VIBE!
My plan is to get as much personal experience as I can and to eventually get involved in the industry.
There is no WBV in my surrounding area (2 hr.radius).
My education and experience in health/fitness and alternative wellness has me excited about all the possibilities~perhaps a studio???-Lioyd I may need to visit with you sometime in the near future.
Any advice as i continue to dream, plot & plan?