Power Plates® - vibrating exercise machines

So... I've been reading about these power plate things and am intrigued. I've found a place in Frankfurt that have offered me a free trial session for 20mins and I'm just wondering if anyone here has any experience with these? Are they as good as the hype?

What the heck are you talking about? Is this a fitness thing?

yep: a Powerplate:

Don't you people read crappy magazines?

If they are a device that is supposed to get you in shape without effort, I'm going to call bullshit.. Just like every diet pill, penis enlarger, or mail order bride.. If these things worked liked advertised everyone would know about it.

Who wants to have a go at this one?

Its them vibrating exercise plates innit. Saw programme on telly testing them against other stuff for saggy/fat arses.

They work but only when you exercise at the same time - so basically the vibration makes it bloody hard to balance when doing your normal stretches and that, thus
making you work harder.

Seemed a bit gimmicky to me.

http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/.../101bums_7.html

yep, well they say that 20mins doing a full body work out on one of these is equivalent to a couple of hours in the gym. Apparantly Madonna, Kylie et al all use these. I'm not at all convinced but am curious and think I'll give the free trial a go. Is there nobody who has ever tried these?

edit: the full body work out can't be too tough as they said I could do it in business clothing...?!

My cousin has one.. She uses it all the time.

It works brilliantly but only as part of a callorie controlled diet!..

Thanks SpiderPig - what has she said about it re toning? Is regular use really comparable with hitting the gym a few times a week?

Depending on what they are claiming its doing, 20 minutes isn't enough for any sort of realistic cardio benefit..

They lie. It takes quite a bit of effort to keep your form on them and yes just standing on them won't work, you need to put in the effort too by doing your good old squats and lunges on them.
Don't eat or drink loads before use and don't drink loads of booze the night before as the thing vibrates loads and you could feel really queasy.
Equivalent to couple hours in the gym? No. But great for building balance and stability - but so is using a Bosu or other type of stability board. Used them in knee rehab and also before my recent holidays, both times with a trainer, think trainer was better investment.
Give the free trial a go - you might like it, but it can be an expensive way to train.

Eat less exercise more ye hippos.

It doesn't claim to have any cardio benefit...

Apparantly there are 2 types of machines out there - some therapeutical and some for training.

The cost isn't any higher than a regular gym membership, but the commitment is also the same - 6 or 12 month contracts.

I'm not a hippo. I eat well and I'm fairly fit, I just feel I need a little extra something to help tone and I don't want to spend my entire evenings in the gym, so this seemed like an attractive option, but I am of course also thinking it's a bit too good to be true, which is why I was hoping to hear from some people with first hand experience.

Obviously it wont turn a moose into a Gazelle, but it has made a huge difference to her..

She now looks quite presentable in a pair of jeans where as an Oktoberfest tent was the only thing she used to look good in!

Bigger or smaller than this Rilana?

*sings*
"fat and skinny went to bed
fat rolled over
and skinny was dead."

To be honest, if you really like them, you'd still be better off finding a gym with them as all powerplate will be boring as hell.
Fitness Company has two places in Frankfurt that have PowerPlate as well as a full gym service.

oh dear Johnny, what odd photos you have in your collection. I just choked on my almonds.

SpiderPig - thanks, that helps.

Katrina, I totally agree but have a passionate hate for the Fitness Company. When I lived in Germany years ago I cancelled my membership and they continued to take the money from my account, I took it back, they threatened legal action, I sent numerous letters, e-mails etc. and they ignored every single one. It was so infuriating and time consuming that I swore I wouldn't have anything to do with them again. In London I went to Holmes Place which was great, but I have found nothing in direct competition with the Fitness Company here in Frankfurt as yet. Which is another reason why I am looking into alternatives...