Power-Plate
Encyclopedia
Power-Plate is a brand of vibrating platform used as exercise equipment
. It consists of a vibrating base, which may vibrate up and down approximately 1 to 2 mm (1/16") 25 to 50 times per second. It is large enough to accommodate a person in deep squat. Traditional exercises such as squats and push-ups are done on the vibrating base. People typically do a series of exercises for 30 seconds to one minute each on the machine, with rests of a similar duration.
Proponents of this machine claim that the vibrations cause an involuntary reflex muscle contraction 25-50 times a second compared to once or twice a second normally.
Makers claim that using the Power-Plate for 10 minutes is equivalent to 60 minutes of conventional exercise. In order to develop strength, power, muscle tone and definition, conventional exercises are conducted putting tension on the muscles while standing on the Power-Plate.
The brand has self promoted the machine by highly publicizing its use by celebrities, such as Madonna
, Jonathan Ross
, Donatella Versace
, Claudia Schiffer
, and Natalie Imbruglia
.
.
Exercise equipment
An apparatus or device used in any given physical activity for shaping and forming muscle groups for specific areas of the body. A mechanism or machine that is intended to promote health and fitness by using motion with varying degrees of resistance either fixed or adjustable.-Exercise...
. It consists of a vibrating base, which may vibrate up and down approximately 1 to 2 mm (1/16") 25 to 50 times per second. It is large enough to accommodate a person in deep squat. Traditional exercises such as squats and push-ups are done on the vibrating base. People typically do a series of exercises for 30 seconds to one minute each on the machine, with rests of a similar duration.
Proponents of this machine claim that the vibrations cause an involuntary reflex muscle contraction 25-50 times a second compared to once or twice a second normally.
Makers claim that using the Power-Plate for 10 minutes is equivalent to 60 minutes of conventional exercise. In order to develop strength, power, muscle tone and definition, conventional exercises are conducted putting tension on the muscles while standing on the Power-Plate.
The brand has self promoted the machine by highly publicizing its use by celebrities, such as Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross
Jonathan Ross may refer to:* Jonathan Ross , English television and radio personality* Jonathan Ross , United States Senator, Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court* Jonathon Ross , former Australian rules footballer...
, Donatella Versace
Donatella Versace
Donatella Versace is an Italian fashion designer and current Vice-President of the Versace Group, as well as chief designer. She owns 20 percent of the entire stock market assets of Versace. Her brother, Santo Versace, owns 30 percent...
, Claudia Schiffer
Claudia Schiffer
Claudia Schiffer is a German model and occasional actress, who reached the peak of her popularity during the 1990s, initially due to her resemblance to Brigitte Bardot. Schiffer is one of the world's most successful models, having appeared on over 500 magazine covers...
, and Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Imbruglia
Natalie Jane Imbruglia is an Australian singer-songwriter, model and actress. In the early 1990s, Imbruglia was known to audiences as Beth Brennan in the popular Australian soap Neighbours. Three years after leaving the programme, Imbruglia launched a singing career with the international hit,...
.
History
The muscle-activation technique through vibration was initially studied by Russian scientist Vladimir Nazarov; it found application in the Russian space program helping to prevent astronauts' muscles and bones wasting in space. A commercial version of the machine was marketed by Guus van der Meer and others since 1999 under the name Power Plate.. The Power Plate accelerates mainly in a vertical direction in an almost perfect sine waveSine wave
The sine wave or sinusoid is a mathematical function that describes a smooth repetitive oscillation. It occurs often in pure mathematics, as well as physics, signal processing, electrical engineering and many other fields...
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