Shake it off

What say you on the issue below?

Sculpt that body, trim that fat, reduce the cellulite and see results in three weeks? Yes, the Power Plate promises this and more.

When Jane Fonda started the aerobic fad back in the early 80s, men drooled at the sight of women in leotards, tights and leg warmers. It marked the beginning of the fitness era, as people flocked to classes in search of longevity, good health and, most importantly, a great body.

As fitness progressed and gyms mushroomed, in came step boards, trampolines, bosu boards, spinning, fitballs, Jukari Fit to Fly and a host of other workouts using equipment.

The latest fad? Vibration machines.

Jimmy Khoo lost 17kg since using the Power Plate

Not one where you sit and do nothing, but a machine where you put in a little bit of effort to awaken muscles and force it to work. Yes, meet the Power Plate, a device that utilises principles of vibration therapy to improve muscle strength and performance, regardless of one’s physical and neurological condition.

Malaysia’s first Power Plate authorised centre, Bodytone Wellness Studio, quietly opened in Penang last year and, following overwhelming success, another centre opened in Bangsar Village II, Kuala Lumpur, last month.

However, unlike the Penang studio which offers group Power Plate classes, the KL branch only has personal training sessions.

In this new fitness regime, a mere squat can seem like the most challenging exercise, but results are guaranteed.

Jo Williams on the Power Plate

“It works by transferring vibrations to muscles in the body, causing them to contract in a reflex action. By holding a pose for up to 60 seconds, multiple muscle groups are activated simultaneously to stretch, tone and strengthen,” says Ooi Ann Ann, the studio’s operations manager and a certified Power Plate instructor.

The vibration technology was initially developed in Russia in the 70s for astronauts to prevent bone and muscle loss while in space. When they landed on earth, they were put through vibration training programmes and results showed their muscles acclimatised better to gravity and the “recuperation” period was shorter.

With the use of vibration in space, astronauts could also stay there three times longer because the technology helped maintain their bone density levels.

Later, Russian ballet dancers discovered that vibrations could help them jump higher and aid in healing injuries by increasing their muscular strength. Once communism fell, the secrets of the technology found its way to Europe, and eventually, athletes began to use it.

Today, the Power Plate is being used by hospitals, universities, health establishments and, of course, celebrities like Madonna, cyclist Lance Armstrong and tennis star Rafael Nadal.

At Bodytone, once a client registers for training, he has first to remove his shoes and stand on the state-of-the-art body composition analysis machine, which is apparently 98% accurate.

Pantai Medical Hospital also uses this machine for its patients. After your name, height and age are keyed in, you hold onto a bar and the machine will analyse your weight, body fat, level of protein, skeletal muscle, bone density and other information.

Ooi

Based on the results, a trainer will put together a programme.

“Before the client starts exercising, they go on the NARL517 machine, which is a low-frequency, ultrasound treatment for 10 minutes. The treatment triggers a hormone to release fat contained in the cells of adipose tissue into the blood.

“To eliminate these fatty acids, the client then works on the Power Plate for 20 minutes. You can lose stubborn fat from the areas of your choice,” explains Ooi as I shoot her a dubious look.

Being a fitness instructor myself, I know there is no such thing as spot reduction.

“I know, I too was unconvinced at first but this is a revolutionary method which has been patented by Japanese neurologist Dr Hirohide Miwa,” Ooi says.

“It is 100% safe and has been scientifically and clinically proven. Studies have been published in journals and Dr Miwa has been presenting his new findings at many international conferences on obesity and weight.”

She then hands me research papers to read.

Not everyone can happily jump on the Power Plate, though. Those with migraine problems, pacemaker wearers and advanced osteoporosis conditions are advised to refrain from it.

Clients are full of praises for the Power Plate.

Yosha Phenning, 62, has lost 11cm in just three weeks and is thrilled with the results.

“I hate gyms but I needed to lose weight desperately and I wasn’t willing to go on Malaysia’s Biggest Loser. When I looked at the mirror, everything was going south, and I decided I didn’t want to become crippled. Yes, I could go on a diet but healthy eating alone isn’t going to help. I decided I had to do something about my weight.

“The first time I came here, I was absolutely drenched. My entire leg was so sore and I could barely move the next day. The abdominal exercises are the hardest but then again, I’m so out of condition,” she reveals in between exercises.

When she was in her 20s, she swam, rode horses and did ballet. Then marriage and children came along, plus she injured both her ankles. Priorities changed and exercise took a backseat.

Phenning was born in Holland but has lived in Hong Kong and China for 20 years. She moved here five years ago under the Malaysia My Second Home programme and put on 15kg. Local food is good, after all, and she is constantly cooking for friends and family. And, she gave up smoking.

“I’m going to stick to this. I have a wedding to attend next June and I want people to see a difference in me!”

In just five sessions, expatriate homemaker Jo Williams, 38, has seen her weight go down and body firm up, although she wishes her belly would shrink faster.

“Oh, it’s hard and definitely gives you a better workout than the gym. You ache the next day but it’s a good ache. The step up and down for four minutes is the most difficult,” says the mother of three.

Three months ago, engineering manager Jimmy Khoo was overweight at 97kg. He played squash and went to the gym but suffered from ankle tendonitis and was looking for a low-impact exercise regime. Though he was initially sceptical of the vibration machine, he gained confidence after seeing positive results.

“I started on the machine twice a week, and after I lost 2kg in the first two weeks, I became motivated. The workouts are tough and also require mental strength but I feel so much lighter now,” says Khoo, 31, who is a client at the Penang studio. He presently weighs 80kg.

Josephine Lee, 52, loves high-impact movements but after sustaining a lower back injury from a fall, had to quit the gym. Her daughter, a yoga instructor, recommended the Power Plate.

“After three months, my back pain is completely gone and I have better balance now. I feel more powerful and can even challenge my daughter to do yoga balancing poses!” she beams.

Lee could do an impressive 80 sit-ups even prior to the vibration techniques but now, after a few sessions on the Power Plate, she can easily do 120 without breaking into a sweat, putting youngsters to shame!

“Almost 100% of our clients see results,” Ooi claims proudly. “But don’t expect miracles. The results depend on the age group, and usually, those below 35 can see differences in three sessions or a week while it takes about eight sessions for those above 35.”