Fitness is an area that continually changes, with the hottest new workouts coming and going with the seasons. However, the latest new fitness craze – Power Plate® - is providing such great results that it could prove to outlast many of those that came before it. Power Plate® is a vibrating platform that you stand on while working out. During normal exercise, your muscles contract once or twice per second. Power Plate® contracts muscles at a rate of 30 to 50 per second, increasing muscle toning and saving time during workouts. Most conventional exercises can be performed on the machine in order to train and condition the entire body, minimizing high impact, high load and high stress factors. According to the Web site powerplate.com, the machine creates instability in the human body, “promoting peak muscle contractions and blood flow in the body via Acceleration Training™, also known as whole body vibration.”

The piece of equipment is a modern-looking round platform with a tall stand and handles. Basically, by holding different isometric positions while standing, leaning or resting on the platform, you get a total body workout. The machine development was based on 40 years of study that prove vibrations can accelerate muscle toning. And while they have been around for at least the past three years, recent celebrity interest has increased their popularity. Madonna has done the most to spread the word about this machine, but it is also reportedly used by Hillary Swank, Claudia Schiffer, Natalie Imbruglia, Elle Macpherson and Donatella Versace. Professional sports teams throughout the world – including the Chicago Bulls – use Power Plate® machines as part of their strength and conditioning programs.

15 MINUTES, THREE TIMES EACH WEEK

Part of the appeal of the Power Plate® is that it only takes 15 minutes to complete a total rotation through the positions. Holding each pose for 30 seconds is all it takes to tone your muscles and lose inches on your waistline. According to the machine’s manufacturer, just a few minutes on the machine produces the same results as an hour of regular strength training. In fact, it is said that a 15-minute workout three times a week is enough to lose weight and tone your muscles. Company reps say the machine comes with several different training programs, including the resistance program, stretch program, massage program and relaxation program. Each is designed to give you a full body workout and a range of relaxation and rejuvenation options. Beginners should start with nine minutes of the resistance program and build up as they go. Additionally, each machine has variable vibration intensities. Beginners should use the lowest level while their muscles adjust to the tri-directional vibration of the machine. They can increase intensity as their muscles adjust to the movement. While the home machines come with a user manual that details the different positions to do on the plate, it is a good idea to find a gym with the machines so your first few times can be done with an instructor.

POWER PLATE® COST

The Power Plate® machine comes in several different sizes and a broad price range. The smallest model, the my3, weighs 126 lbs and costs around $1,999. This is compared to the 348 lbs of the pro5 AIRdaptive™ model. This and other gym-quality machines cost upwards of $10,500. There are three other models that fall somewhere between these two in cost. If the price tag is too steep, you may be able to find a local gym that has a Power Plate®. You can search online at powerplate.com to locate a machine in your area to try out.