This is an excerpt from Amy Andrews thesis paper for becoming a CHEK Level 4. This entire paper below is referenced from her research and findings.

After twelve weeks of steady use once, twice or three times per week with 20 subjects, including myself, I am happy to share with you the very positive effects my clients and I have enjoyed due to use of the Power Plate:

1. Increased endocrine balance:

a.)    improved blood sugar control which may be from reduced insulin resistance

b.)   reduced cortisol response and improved recovery and sense of well-being from overall reduction in stress hormone

c.)   improved anabolic state: cosmetic hair regrowth in eyebrows, lower legs, arms and hands

d.)   no delayed-onset muscle soreness due to anabolic state after challenging strength exercise

e.)   elimination of hot flashes

f.)    restoration of normal female menstrual cycle

2. Increased range of motion:

a.)    improved joint range in thoracic spine in all planes of movement

b.)   improved flexibility in all muscle groups stretched on the Plate, and in overall ROM  

performed in gross motor patterns (eg. Squat, lunge)

c.)    improved ability to tolerate new ranges of motion in ideal form

d.)   restoration of normal length tensions (tight muscle groups disappeared)

3. Improved circulation and lymphatic return:

a.)    swelling reduced in inflamed joints

b.)   body feels like you’ve done an hour of cardio in 10 minutes

c.)   improved respiration function

d.)   growing hair on lower legs, forearms, hands again

e.)   clients feel better, improved state of endorphin

 4. Rapid growth of lean muscle:

a.)    personal records in strength and performance: clients are lifting heavier than ever and able to hit the golf ball in good form further than ever before

b.)   most clients have reduced their clothing by one size while gaining one or two pounds

c.)   clients are and appear visibly leaner

5. Improved proprioception, balance, righting and tilting reflexes

a.)    clients with movement processing challenges are able to learn new motor patterns quickly and then are able to perform the new task on the ground in ideal form

b.)   previous processing problems are eliminated by proprioceptive advantages of Power Plate: clients can “feel” the ideal form better and learn more quickly

6. Loss of subcutaneous fat:

a.)     cellulite remodeling: dimples are vanishing

b.)    “skin fits better”

7. While my clients hope to see, over time, reversal of bone loss, they have baseline bone density measurements to compare to

8. Pain reduction

a.)    clients with pain are able to diffuse pain in 30 seconds on the Power Plate, then perform their workout

b.)    stabilizer muscles activate more completely and efficiently: when segmental stabilization is required, clients can “find” the fibers more easily, and stabilization occurs more like a symphony as a result

9. Increased energy

a.)    Clients feel better, the report a “spring in their step”

b.)   Clients are sleeping better, reporting less need for sleep aids

c.)   Clients are reporting having the energy to make healthy food choices and are hungry for healthier foods

Overall, myself included, all members of the trial feel better each time they use the Power Plate.

Study participants include some individuals  with training experience, some with no  exercise training age.  Twelve women participated whose ages range from 16 to mid-forties, fifties, low sixties.  Three men participated whose ages are 19, 44, 74.

I have been looking at this vibrational technology devise for over two years and I believe that the results that have been shown are amazing. Although their are some great apllications to this technology as mentioned, I am leary of the type of frequencies, the amount and most importantly the posible over stimulation to the nervous system for a person that unknowingly might be in a high physiological state. Especially in a rehabiliatative setting where patients may already be over stimulated neurologically due to physical pain and emotional trauma. Working with frequencies are great for stimulating reflex activity, moving lymph and eliciting muscular activity for the benefit of strength enhancement etc. Athletes, rehabilitative patience an others could benefit from this technology.

However, what we must not forget is that the body was meant to move freely in its natural range of motion. Although you can do various exercises on it, if you do not already possess a good sense of balance this will propose a problem for the average person who buys it. I see that it sold straight to the public. In fact I had a patient bring in some marketing information she recieved and was asking if she should use it.

I have used, studied and researched a type of vibrational training for over 10-years both in my private service as well in a rehabilitative setting for varying types of populations. From infants to the elderly, from professional athletes to weekend warriors this type of training offers, lymphatic drainage, increase oxygenation, enhances the immune system and the removal of heavy metals as to mention a few of the amazing benefits. In addition it has been used to improve proprioception, tilting and righting reflexes, intrinsic stabilization of the spine and overall strength endurance and agility. I only advise it when the time is right, after a careful evalation adressing musculoskeletal and neurological imbalances etc. But most importantly it exercises every cell in the body at the same time by harnessing the effects of gravity and it creates a vibrational stimulus while the body is in motion. You can move the body in a range of motion that will not inhibit flexibility. Plus for those with a loss of balance it has a balance bar that can be attached. moreover it is very inexpensive and very well built. I am not talking about one of those toy mini-trampolines, I am refering to a high quality made piece of equipment that is made here in the U.S. What I refer to as the "Cellular Exercise Unit" or what is commonly referred to as a "Rebounder."

So in closing, I think using expensive technilogical equipment has its place for high end athletics, rehabilitation and the elderly with very good benefits. The fact is that the majority of the population already has some sort of musculoskeletal disorder and/or movement restritions that have dimished their bodies ability for natural human movement. What is needed are therapeutic pieces equipment that enhances the natural movement patterns of the human body, that is self propelling. Take for instance walking on the ground versus on a treadmill, when you walk on the treadmill what moves underneath you? The tread, which in turn tells certain set of muscles that they are not needed because the tread is providing the movement. When you walk outside across the ground you propel your body, the muscles in the legs have to activate fully for this to occur. Although I suggest the treadmill for a selected few of my clients and patients, I suggest that they use the full capacity of the locomotion system to propel the body forward. We can not become dependant on machines and or devises that take away from what the body was intended for. Their is a time a place for recommending motor driven devises, until then lets get back to the basics and exercise the body the way it was meant to move and restore function and motion.

Thank you,

Brian l. Schwager

I research the Soloflex vibration plate and while it is should be Ok it is really intended to be attached to the Sloflex weight bench.  Further research showed that you never use the machine for mor than 10 minutes a day and start out with a very low level and few minutes so that you don't have the effects mentioned in one of the other comments.  Long term vbibration is very detrimental to the body.  View some of the studies you can find on the internet about people who are in a work field where this is a side effect (like truck drivers and heavy duty equipment operators).

Also important is the power level.  I don't know what the Solofex has but anything less than a range of 30 -50 Hertz vibration is useless. I am speaking of the vibration level not the electrical power of the machine.

My understanding is that while you do some of your exercises on the machine, that you complete the rest of your exercises after the vibration period. 

I have an additional interest because the use of these machines has sshown to help in strengthening bone tissue and therefore helpful with osteoporsis. There is a long list of health conditions where vibration should not be used.

 I did find a machine on Wonderful buys.com that seems to be a reasonable home model.  Of course it is not the same as a $5000 machine in a commercial setting, but it seems to be a good alternative for a home model with only one or two people using it.  The basic model sells for $249 and the deluxe for $400.  The deluxe is exactly the same as the basic with more bells and whistles most of which are uneccesary anyway.