I was more than a little sceptical when I was offered a free Power Plate trial. It just seemed too good to be true – a 30 minute class which had the same impact as a session twice as long in the gym.
I decided to give it a go, seeing as I wanted to tone up a bit and this is what it’s targeted towards.
After one session I was a convert, the proof was in the stiffness I felt two days after I had taken my introductory class. Something had to be working!
You do your workout on a Power Plate machine (pictured), holding exercise movements for up to 60 seconds on the vibrating platform to engage different muscle groups.
There are varying settings which can be chosen on the machine, at the highest level the machine causes your muscles to contract up to 50 times a second. Sounds intense? Well it is.
Luckily, the settings on the machine are adjusted by the instructor to match the training level of each person in the class, meaning that you can workout to your own ability.
That said, it’s certainly not a walk in the park, but due to the efficiency of this way of working out you only need to do 25 minutes of exercise, buffered by stretching and massage at either end. So no matter how hard you are finding the workout, the end is always near!
I found Powerplate really effective for toning my abdomen and arms in particular – areas which I had never had much muscle mass. As I cycle everywhere, my legs were always quite muscular, but I even saw a difference there too.
During the course of the 4 week trial, I lost about four pounds but I think that this form of exercise is mainly beneficial for toning rather than weight loss. If you are combining it with aerobic exercise it would be much more effective for losing weight if that’s what you were after.
Powerplate basically helps you build muscle in a short space of time – it will not make you fitter. But increased muscle mass means an increase in your metabolism, and also your ability to perform better in other forms of exercise. So I think it has great health benefits.
A word of warning – it will take a while to get used to exercising on the machine – even though you only do short bursts of exercises, the vibrations mean that it feels a lot more intense. Your muscles will be burning!
However, for someone like me who would find it impossible to be focused and motivated enough to go to the gym, this is perfect. Each class is held by an instructor who talks you through each exercise, meaning you are always getting an even workout and also you won’t just give up mid class!
There are two Body Smart studios in Dublin which have Powerplate – one in Mount Merrion and one in Grand Canal Square, and there are also locations in Galway, Cork and Kildare. Classes are held every half hour from 8am-8pm so you can fit in a quick workout to suit your day!
I usually try and make it in twice a week, and combined with cycling find it an easy and time efficient way to keep in shape.
Bodysmart are also now offering a special cellulite busting course with the French beauty company Thalgo. You can sign up for a course of 18 specially designed Powerplate sessions with the Thalgo Slim & Sculpt Expert range.
The idea is to reinforce the benefits of Powerplate – which is proven to help reduce cellulite – by applying the creams to your skin after completing your workout. I tried some of these products, and definitely have noticed a reduction in cellulite over the course of the trial.
To purchase Power Plate www.gymcompany.ie
To try Power Plate classes http://www.bodysmart.ie/
Telephone: (freefone) 1800 700 777
Power Plate classes at Bodysmart start from €139 for 12 classes (see website for free trial voucher).
Thalgo products from €64
