Shake, Shake, Shake Me Into Shape
While we have a home gym set up in our garage with lots of fitness machines and gadgets, I had not been feeling motivated to work out.
So, the pounds started to creep up and my confidence started to go down. I delved back in my memory to consider a time when I thought exercising was fun. I thought of an old school aerobic step that I would step up and down on to a guided routine on a “DVD”.
Well, I searched online and what I considered a “simple” aerobic step cost $39 and higher. After my exhaustive search (and thanks to algorithms), a new fitness device kept appearing on my social media feed. To say I was intrigued was an understatement. It was the SoftGym Vibration Plate Exercise Machine, a fitness machine that “shakes” your whole body into shape. It sounded crazy to me … as crazy as I now look while using this “shaking” machine.
What is a Vibration Plate Exercise Machine and What Does it Do?
The SoftGym Vibration Plate Exercise Machine is a machine that you simply step on, and the machine shakes your whole body. It’s designed with multiple exercise modes. Each mode targets different parts of the body including legs, buttocks, waist, and abdomen – for a full-body workout.
Amazon advertises the Vibration Plate Exercise Machine saying, “Build Your Dream Body” and that sounded good to me. Just a heads-up: this thing really shakes! You’ll want to work up to the higher levels slowly, especially if you’re new to vibration training like I was.
Included in the box:
:: Vibrating Plate Exercise Machine
:: Remote control
:: Power cord
:: 2 exercise bands (attach to rope hooks on the machine base)
:: 5 resistance bands (added bonus)
About the SoftGym Brand
This piece of professional home gym equipment is focused on a mission to help people live healthier lives. In addition to vibration plates, SoftGym also offers a Smart elliptical machine, treadmills, rowing machines, and other fitness products. According to the brand, their vibration plates have been rigorously tested and are ideal for home workouts.
Main Fitness Benefits of a Vibration Plate
The Vibration Plate Exercise Machine offers users a multi-purpose workout along with strength enhancement. The vibration plate stimulates muscles with high-frequency vibrations, inducing additional muscle contractions and activation.
According to the brand, the vibration helps to quickly burn calories and fat, claiming to shed excess pounds faster than running. But wait, there’s more. The power plate isn’t just for weight loss. It helps to build strength as well.
There are 20 levels of vibration speeds to customize your workouts based on your fitness level while still challenging your body’s capabilities for effective results. By using the included resistance training bands, you can enhance your strength and muscle tone.
Easy to Set Up and Use, Right Out of the Box
Remove the contents from the box. Plug in the power cord. Put two “AAA” batteries into the remote. If you want, you can attach the 2 exercise bands to the rope hooks on the machine base. No other assembly required. I suggest that you read the instruction manual first so you’re fully acquainted with the Vibration Plate Exercise Machine.
Here’s how it works:
:: Turn on the main switch on the front of the device.
:: Step onto the vibration plate and place your feet on the massage beads.
:: With the remote control, press the “on” button, select a program, and hit the start arrow.
The machine immediately starts vibrating and, let me tell you, you feel the vibration on every part of your body. It’s rather intense. But to me, that means the Vibration Plate Exercise Machine is doing its job to get me fit.
The vibration plate can be operated using the remote control or via the LED touch screen. I prefer the remote so I can remain standing and not bend over to push the touch screen down by my foot level. The LED display shows you the time and speed of your workout.
Multiple Workout Modes to Meet Diverse Fitness Levels
The SoftGym Vibration Plate offers both manual and automatic modes with a choice of 120 levels of vibration speed. When I first began using my vibration plate, I selected a low power on a manual setting. When I got more comfortable, I started using the automatic modes that offer workout intensities that mimic a walking level, a jogging level, and a more intense running level. The preset time is for 10 minute intervals. You can increase or decrease the time using the remote, as well as increasing and decreasing the intensity level. I always appreciate the ability to control my workout with a push of a button on the remote control.
Faster Results Than Traditional Cardio
If you’re looking to get in shape quicker than traditional fitness workouts, the SoftGym Vibration Plate Exercise Machine is said to offer an advantage. That’s because the vibrations engage the body’s muscles to work harder, helping the user achieve faster results compared to jogging or other cardio workouts.
A Workout That You Feel From Head to Toe
When the SoftGym Vibration Plate Exercise Machine vibrates, it VIBRATES! From your toes up to your neck, you feel something. Try to talk and your voice makes a vibrato sound. That’s when you realize the power of this amazing, unique fitness machine.
This machine has made it easier for me to get a full, effective full body workout. I typically do separate exercises for each body part which lately had not shown any results. According to the folks at SoftGym, getting a full body workout at one time is “crucial because focusing on one body part can lead to imbalance and potentially even injury.” Now I can stimulate multiple muscle groups at one time and get a balanced workout in less time.
Health Benefits of the SoftGym Vibration Plate Exercise Machine
As with any new exercise, seek the advice of a medical professional before using the SoftGym Vibration Plate. This is especially important since the brand makes very strong health benefit claims. According to SoftGym, you can use the vibration plate for lymphatic drainage, helping to increase your body’s metabolic rate and promote blood circulation.
So, the mere fact that the brand claims this vibration plate can aid in lymphatic drainage makes it unique and much appreciated. The user simply stands on the vibration plate and the machine does the work, helping to improve metabolism, burn calories and thereby shed extra pounds quickly and effectively. A hefty health benefits claim indeed.
Non-Slip and Noise-Reducing
As for the device, I suggest using it on a floor as opposed to a rug. The bottom of the vibration plate is equipped with four non-slip suction cups designed to provide stability during use. The vibration movement can catch you a bit off guard at times, so the added stability is a good feature.
The SoftGym Vibration Plate does make a sound but it’s way quieter than a traditional treadmill. And like I said, although it’s a sturdy piece of equipment with suction cups to help lessen slippage, I still advise that you place it on a floor near a wall where you can lean a hand on until you get fully balanced.
Sturdy, Build to Last and Can Support up to 450 lbs.
The SoftGym brand takes pride by offering superior quality and reliability on their fitness products. And the fact that the vibration plate is designed with an impact-resistant ABS housing adds another layer of durability on top of the four non-slip suction cups. The ABS housing ensures long-term use while protecting the powerful motor. Even further, the vibration plate has a 450 pound-capacity.
Easy to Store
The SoftGym Vibration Plate is a conveniently compact piece of fitness equipment, so you can basically exercise at home, in the office, or anywhere you’d like work out. I keep mine in the corner of my bedroom so I can hop on it whenever I want. Unlike a cumbersome treadmill, elliptical, or exercise bike, you’re not restricted by space.
Cost and Product Specifications
I bought my SoftGym Vibration Plate Exercise Machine on Amazon for $71.99, a 10% savings off the regular price of $79.99.
:: Color: Black
:: Material: Plastic
:: Dimensions: 13″D x 21″W x 4.5″H
:: Maximum Weight Limit: 450 lbs.
:: Display: LED
:: Maximum Speed: 1.2E+2 RPM
:: Number of Programs: 120
:: Number of Resistance Levels: 120
:: Power Source: Corded Electric
I’m Giving the SoftGym Vibration Plate a Big “Wow!”
I don’t remember the last time I followed a fitness routine where I could get a full body workout at one time. I can for a fact say that I never owned a machine quite like a SoftGym Vibration Plate that shakes your whole body, basically waking up every body part from your feet and legs to your waist, abdomen, and buttocks.
I already feel a big difference in the tightness of my body, but since I am very out of shape I’m not surprised this continuous exercise is producing noticeable results. I think what I like the most is that the SoftGym Vibration Plate makes exercise so easy. I step on the plate, click a few buttons on the remote and my body is shaking my way to a better fitness level.
The most obvious result for me is that my body feels more relaxed and flexible. I am bending better, walking with a straighter gait, and as crazy as this sounds, I feel like I’m moving faster. I get out of bed each morning with no typical aches or joint pains in my legs, arms, or back.
I’ve been watching YouTube videos about this machine and other competitor vibration plates to learn new ways to use it effectively for body toning. I want to improve my fitness level to confidently and safely be able to work out one leg at a time for maximum improvement in my balance. This is not a machine to go full throttle on day one. Slow and steady is the safer strategy.
This week, I added a 10-minute arms workout on the vibration plate where I do a semi-plank with my hands placed directly on the plate and it shakes my arms and shoulders. It’s a beast of a workout but I’m looking forward to seeing toned arms for the first time in a decade.
What’s shaking for me? A fitter, toner body thanks to the SoftGym Vibration Plate.
