Maste trainer, Louise Dear uses Power Plate® in conjunction with ViPR™ in a circuit workout. This circuit uses ViPR to add additional load into the body in 3 PLANES OF MOTION, which allows for authentic integrated movement of the entire body. Our bodies need to move in 3 dimensions for joint health, to prevent injury and to be efficient and effective in all tasks from daily living to sport.

So despite Government warnings that we are turning into a nation of couch potatoes and risking obesity-related illnesses such as heart disease and cancer, our waistlines keep growing. But what can be done to tackle the obesity health crisis and are the solutions simple? Our own Phillip Nourse, Power Plate Master Trainer, has contributed his thoughts to a recent article in Fitpro, the respected trade publication for fitness professionals on this very topic.

This month’s issue included an interesting article, discussing recommendations made by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) about weight loss programmes for obese individuals. Their guidelines recommend incorporating 20-30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week (and ideally five times a week). Additionally, there may be benefits in progressively increasing exercise to a total of 200-300 minutes per week. Individuals should be performing at a minimum of 60% of their maximum heart rate.

Phillip is quoted in the article, saying: “A key factor though that these guidelines do not address is the importance of strength training for the safety of weight loss targeted exercise programmes. While appreciating that high impact exercise may have the potential to place undue stress upon joints and connective tissue in an excessively heavy person, strength training is important in improving stabilization around these joints. In a sense, it is the strength training that is the mortar which holds the body stable, and which eventually permits more intense forms of exercise with their associated higher demands.”

He also says: “As your fitness levels progress with time so the duration and frequency of your exercises should slowly increase too. Furthermore, as fitness improves and weight reduces, the other more vigorous exercise options may be able to be used.”

Strength training is the foundation of any Power Plate exercise programme – designed to assist in achieving healthy and safe weight loss, by encouraging the development of lean muscle mass. There’s plenty of research to back up that, when used as part of a weight management programme and in conjunction with physical training, the Power Plate machine can actually help you shape up faster than normal exercise alone.

Visit our Plate Locator for your nearest Power Plate centre.

If one is good, two must be great, right? In this video, Jessica shows you how two plates can be better than one with simple exercises that allow for both dynamic and static movement when you have two Power Plate machines in close proximity. This routine was performed on two Power Plate pro6 units but if your location doesn’t have these, try substituting a weighted ball for the cable exercises.

The principles of HIT involve exercising within 70- 80% of your maximum heart rate for brief but intense periods of time. There are lots of benefits to be gained from doing short bursts of intensive exercise – it can improve your aerobic and anaerobic capacity, reduce the amount of sugar in your blood stream and can also release fatty acids that can then be burned off by your muscles. In short, HIT burns fat fast and causes your body to continue burning fat for a period after you’ve worked out.

Shorter bursts of effort put stress on the body, which produces cortisol, a hormone that your body will use to break down fat, protein and carbohydrates, to improve metabolism. High Intensity Training also benefits your lifestyle on the whole and will make you stronger for life rather than for a sports specific task, such as running a marathon or road cycling.

Fitting in a workout at the end of a long day can be tricky, so the appeal of shorter exercise classes will no doubt be welcomed. As always, Power Plate are one step ahead of the game, offering time efficient workout solutions for more than a decade now. Drawing on the principles of an HIT workout, they have created a new class concept, Power HIT, which combines resistance exercises on the pro6™ machine, with intensive bursts of interval cardio on the all new powerBIKE™.

This exciting new 25 minute concept is the ultimate in high intensity training; the circuit-based class combines the dynamic capabilities of the pro6 to improve muscular strength, interspersed with progressive intervals on the powerBIKE to push cardiovascular levels up a gear, helping to increase VO2max and burn fat.

The benefits of vibration training as a way of increasing muscle strength and power are already validated with more than a decade of scientific research. Adding the cardiovascular benefits of cycling to an Acceleration Training workout really gets the heart pumping, to burn fat, build muscle and improve stamina.

To trial a Power HIT class for yourself, and experience the ultimate HIT workout or get in touch with the Power Plate Studio at Harrods directly on 02073175054 to book a session.

Get more balance in your life with this challenging workout that incorporates a BOSU half ball.

We always look forward to meeting you all so be sure to come and visit us on stand L184 in the Technology Zone and discover the latest technological advance in home fitness – the Power Plate my7 machine.

This is the first Power Plate machine to feature an interactive, touch-screen video interface with access to more than 250 progressive full body workouts, drawn from a library of more than 1,000 individual exercise videos.

It is also the first home Power Plate machine to feature proMOTION™ technology, an embedded cable resistance system adding another dimension to your workout. These cables transfer vibrations more effectively, so you can perform a far wider range of dynamic exercises both on and off the platform.

With the ability to create individual user profiles, which record your workout progression and favourite exercises, the whole family can use the my7 machine to achieve their personal fitness goals.

Taking up about as much space as an armchair, the my7 model will fit easily into your home and your lifestyle. With the integration of proMOTION technology, it also eliminates the need for additional resistance training equipment, making this quite possibly the only piece of home fitness equipment you will ever need to own. But don’t just take out word for it, why not drop by to try it for yourself.

We always look forward to Grand Designs, and with exciting new *finance options now available across our entire range, at terms of up to three years, (0% APR representative), this could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for to own your own genuine Power Plate machine!

So if you’ll be at Grand Designs, do pop by and say hello to the friendly Power Plate team on stand L184, for a free demonstration, tips and advice… if you ask nicely, they may even give you a quick leg massage on the Power Plate machine, to ease those aching legs after a day spent exploring the show! We look forward to seeing you.

* Finance is available subject to credit and status and terms and conditions apply

Feeling inspired by the amazing runners that took part in Sunday’s London Marathon and thinking about preparing for next year? Well don’t let sore knees get in the way of your active life or training. Follow this workout to help strengthen your knees and supportive tissues without adding load or impact.

This week saw the launch of our new Power Plate Summer Sculpt beach body prep package, which we’ve been working on with lots of help from our friends at Rodial, the award-winning skincare range.

Maria founded the label in 1999, and has since achieved global recognition for Rodial, which is now available in more than 35 countries worldwide. We caught up with Maria to ask her a few questions about Rodial’s philosophy, the beauty industry and even persuaded her to share a few beauty tips.

1. How do you see the beauty industry evolving over the next 5 years?

I see the beauty industry changing to target specific body areas and skin conditions to develop products that specifically target these needs, rather than products offering a one-solution-fits-all. I also think we will see great advances in the ingredient technology with nerve-manipulating peptides that can do anything from fat melting to wrinkle plumping.

2. What values do you hope to embody through the Rodial brand?

Rodial offers targeted treatments for specific skin concerns using the best ingredient technology. We hope these products encourage our customers to combine these products with exercise and the right diet to look their best.

3. How important is it for you to use natural ingredients in all of your products?

Our priority is to use ingredients that give you results; at times the best ingredients are created in a lab but we steer clear of harsh chemicals and our product bases and fragrances are one of the most natural within the high-tech category.

4. You share your beauty tips and secrets with women all over the world, but what is the one beauty item YOU can’t live without?

Glamoxy Snake Serum is my must-have beauty product. I use it every day as a primer and to touch up before an evening out. It gives me a healthy glow and plumps up skin like nothing else!

5. What is your worst beauty habit?

Being lazy at times when applying self tan and not exfoliating beforehand – you can’t get away with that, even if you are an expert!

6. If you could spend the day doing anything, what would you do?

I love spending time in the Cotswolds with my family and friends playing tennis, followed by a full body massage and an evening spent catching up on my favourite TV shows while flicking through the latest issue of Vogue.

Why so glum, chum? Grab a partner and have some fun with this dynamic (and a bit goofy) workout that will put a smile on your face and a skip in your step. We hope you have as much fun trying this as we had shooting it!

Already acknowledged as weapons in the fight against cellulite, both brands are supported by research and work on the same targeted principle, with the goal of achieving a smoother, sleeker silhouette.

The “Summer Sculpt” program which has been developed by Power Plate combines a full body Acceleration Training™ class with Rodial’s body care range, to offer long-lasting results in record time.

The 25 minute Power Plate “Summer Sculpt” classes include a series of high intensity, dynamic exercises to give you a full body work-out, combined with a five minute regime specifically designed to focus on the common problem areas of arms, bust or tummy. Results can be enhanced further by combining your Acceleration Training sessions with an active Rodial skincare regime using body products every morning and evening to help redefine your figure.

So if your bust needs a boost, why not add a little lift to your décolletage with Rodial’s targeted Boob Job cream which, if applied daily, could help increase bust by up to half a cup size over time. Or perhaps it’s the troublesome tummy you want to shape up? You could try Rodial’s best seller, Tummy Tuck to help tighten your torso. If it’s the dreaded bingo wings that need to be banished, opt for Arm Sculpt to help smooth away orange-peel skin.

To unwrap your perfect bikini body with confidence this summer, try the combination of Rodial body sculpting products and regular Power Plate exercise.

Power Plate Summer Sculpt classes are available at selected studios in London from April 2012. For more information contact Power Plate on 0207 317 5000 or visit www.powerplate.com/uk
Rodial products are available from www.Rodial.co.uk