A-list firming fad: Vibration plates
Celebs are buzzing about the body-transforming effects of a gadget that pulsates away jiggly fat. But is shaking off the pounds effective? FIRST columnist Jorge Cruise weighs in
Back in the 1950s, women across the country slipped vibrating belts around their hips with the goal of letting the contraption shake their fat loose. And now beauties like Leeza Gibbons and Amy Grant are raving about a new twist on the old fad: whole-body vibration machines.
Proponents claim that simply standing on a gently vibrating plate forces stabilizing muscles to contract as many as 50 times per second, delivering the toning perks of an hour-long workout in under 15 minutes. The vibration is also thought to boost lymph flow to help flush toxins and promote glowing skin. There are even studies that show vibration plates can help postmenopausal women increase bone density by up to 1.5 percent in 6 months.
Fans of the gadget also claim that the slimming benefits multiply when dynamic exercises (like squats) are done while standing on a vibrating
plate. That’s because maintaining balance during exercise recruits more muscle fibers to increase calorie burn and speed toning. Research backs this up: One study found that women who exercised on vibration plates lost 60 percent more fat over 6 months than women who did the same workout on stable ground.
Still, some experts caution that whole-body vibration should be used with care. They note that tractortrailer drivers exposed to similar frequencies tend to develop back pain and nerve damage, so limiting time spent on the machine to 15 minutes a day is advised. And exercise on a pulsating plate should be done under trainer supervision at first to reduce the risk of injury. Vibration machines also come with a hefty price tag (top models start at $1,000) and take up nearly as much space as an exercise bike, making them a bit impractical for home use.
“Vibration plates have been a timeefficient way for me to increase circulation and keep my core really strong.”
—Leeza Gibbons