For a self confessed lazy bones like myself, the idea of quick fix toning is just my kind of exercise.  Biannually I visit the gym, go for about three weeks, tend to eat more because i have ‘earned it’, and give up because I have a hang-over and cant be bothered to go.  As I am naturally thin, in my twenties this was fine, but now I have hit the big three-o, gravity (and vodka) has taken over and it is definitely a case of ‘now or never’.   If I choose the latter I will just wobble my way through life, so I decided to try the new exercise that has taken Hollywood by storm – Power Plates.

With a list of celebrities such as Madonna (who has one in her own house), Rachel Wiess and Courtney Cox Arquette as devotees, Power Plates uses high speed vibration training to give you a whole body work out in just 25 minutes.  So you can pop down in your lunch break, and have time for an M&S sarnie!

How does it work?
The Power Plate is a vibrating machine that stimulates the body’s muscles in a high-speed workout by making them relax and contact.  In normal life your muscles contract about once or twice a second, but when standing on the machine, the vibrations cause the muscles to contract 30-50 times a second.  The fact that many muscle groups are activated at the same time, it is claimed that a normal Power Plate session of 25 minutes will have the same results as 60 minutes heavy training in the gym.

Ive got the Power..
I visited The Power Plates Institute (previously Movers and Shapers) in Wyndham Street, Central for a trial session.  The studio has four machines, two changing cubicle and lockers.  There are no showers, but you wont need them, as generally you don’t sweat (well no more than the usual brow and top lip bead from pounding the streets of Hong Kong).  Because there are only four plates, it means that there is only ever a maximum of four people in a session.   Small classes are great for things like Power Plate as the exercises are simple but they need to be performed correctly to get the full benefit – as I have been told by the trainers – ‘It’s very easy to do some of these moves wrong, meaning it wont pull, stretch or hurt at the time, but it also means you don’t get any benefit.’

The Workout
I was told to stand on the machine, hold onto the bars, squat and stand still for 45 seconds to warm up.   It takes a few moments to adjust to the bone-rattling and teeth jarring. Not to mention the instantaneous desire to pee, but my body soon adjusted and I was ready for the workout.  For the first session the trainers are kind to you, but we still worked on a number of moves such as deep squats, reverse lunges, tricep dips, sit ups, planks, and also included medicine balls and weights in some exercises too.  Each exercise takes 30-60 seconds, but as your muscles are contracting at such high frequencies, you start to feel muscle fatigue far sooner than with regular exercise.  Now for the best bit, the ‘massage’.  After your ‘greuling’ 25 minute work out, you are treated to a vibrating massage.  This comprises of you lying on the floor, and placing various fatigued body parts on the vibrating pad, while your trainer gently applies pressure.  Its worth the workout just for the massage!

No pain. No Gain
We are used to the old saying, so in my mind I was still sceptical as to whether Power Plates can actually make a difference to a lard arse like myself.  I left the studio feeling surprisingly un-wobbly, but very ‘worked out’ and rosy.  The next morning I woke up with muscle pain in my entire body.  I was amazed that I had obviously subjected myself to a complete body workout, which I was generally too lazy to complete in the gym, and in only 25 minutes!   Parts of my body ached that I didn’t even know I had worked on.  In a word I was amazed.  The first session was free, as it is for all first time attendees, but I immediately signed up for a paid ten session blitz.

One month later
I have now used eight of my ten sessions.  Unfortunately I had the horror Hong Kong flu for 10 days in the middle, so I may not have had quite the result that I was looking for after ten sessions, but I can definitely feel the difference.  For one, my strength has increased.  Exercises that I found tough in the beginning are getting easier, and I can feel muscle for the first time since I was 18 under my flabby belly.  I also got commended for my slender toned arms the other day.  I burst out laughing, but then flexed and was astonished, there was a lump there, which could only be described as a muscle!

Pros and Cons
I am a complete convert to Power Plates.  It works for me, but it also has to be said I am not an energetic person.  I am also plagued with medical problems, for example I have broken both my knees, and I also have a rather sever curvature to my spine.  I laugh about my laziness, but there is also an element of truth that I am not able to do a lot of exercises that most people can.  That combined with the fact that I am naturally slim has made me tend to do nothing.  So a machine that I can use, that tones me, but does not harm me is a revelation.  I was told by the trainers that many of their clients are just like me, with some like of medical condition that limits their exercise.  They have a lady with polio who comes in a wheelchair, who I was told has movement and some muscle tone for the first time in years.  They also have a 85 year old man that is a regular toner.   One thing that the Power Plates cannot do is a cardiovascular work out.  In some sessions, you definitely do raise your heart rate, but it cannot be compared to a regular cardio session in the gym such as spinning, or running.  So although the Power Plate is handy for those who want a quick workout, or for medical reasons or age cannot exercise normally, I would suggest it is better combines with other types of cardio workout for a complete exercise regime.

Power Plate pros

• Quick results
• Easy to fit into your day
• Good for people with some limiting medical conditions
• Suitable for some older, less energetic people
• Increased metabolism
• Increased muscle strength
• Reduced Cellulite
• Pain Dampening
• Improved Flexibility
• Improved fitness
• Activated circulation
• Improved co-ordination
• Increased bone density

Power Plate cons

• Not good for people who get queasy on moving surfaces
• There are better cardio machines available
• Cannot use when pregnant.

As always you must divulge any medical conditions as Power Plates may not be suitable for you.

How Much? BBHK SPECIAL OFFER AND COMPETITION ALERTS
The team at The Power Plates Institute have teamed up with BBHK to create a fab offer and competition:

The normal price is as follows:
Group Sessions
Single session:    $300
12 sessions:         $3080
24 sessions:         $5880

Personal Training
Single session:    $500
12 sessions:         $6000

A consecutive 12 session course within 6 weeks is recommended to experience the benefits of vibration training.

COMPETITION
From now until the 30th August all BBHK readers can get a 10% discount on packages. Just mention BBHK and your arse will thank us later!

And now for the best bit – the competition!  You can win 3 free personal training sessions at The Power Plates Institute valued at $1500.  All you need to do in send an email to win@beautybuzzhk.com with the title IVE GOT THE POWER, recommending a friend to look at Power Plates and BBHK.  Both you and your friend will be entered into the draw.  The more friends you recommend, the more chances you have of winning., and of course your friend can also invite people!

Terms and conditions apply.  Competition finishes on August 30th.

The Power Plate® Institute
12th Floor,
The Centrium Building,
60 Wyndham Street, Central.

For your free trial session, telephone +852 3621 018

There are no surprises as to why skinny people are skinny.  They don’t eat as much as you, and they tend to me more active that you.  There is one sure-fire way to lose weight fast – Spinning.  California Fitness has just opened state of the art Spinning Suites in all their branches.  Don’t be lazy, get off your fat arse, and get back on it and work out!

You will probably hate BBHK for even recommending the class, you will want to die after about five minutes, and be constantly eye-balling the clock at the ever-lasting countdown.  The fat banker in front of you will be sweating profusely, secreting a pool of sweat in which his bike is now an island in.  The tai-tai next to you will be grunting like a pig and there is always one beautifully fit, radiant gym bunny with a perfect bottom, effortlessly pounding in the front row. But then something remarkable happens, you start to get bit stronger, you start to get bit fitter, the kilos will starts to fall off  and all of a sudden you will actually enjoy it.

After the initial shock to your body, the group cardio session is a great incentive.  With an average of 400 calories burnt in 45 minutes, with 30 people in the glass, that’s a combined calorie burn of 12,000, probably enough to light up a tower block in Kwun Tong.

Each Spinning bike is connected to a monitor with Polar blue-tooth. The figures such as heart rate, speed and distance will be displayed and recorded by the monitor to keep track your progress and performance. So you will be a lean, mean bikini busting machine in no time.

For more information on California Fitness call 2522 5229 for Hong Kong Island clubs or 2522 1000 for Kowloon clubs.

OK, its not entirely about beauty, but looking great while you limber up is paramount.  The Sassy Girls have organised a super launch for the brand new fledgling yoga clothing line from Tanya-B.  Pop along for a sneak peek, a drink and a schmooze, and dance the night away with the DJ in store.  That’s your Monday night sorted.

WHEN: Monday 14th December

              12-6pm daytime shopping and drinks

              7-11pm launch party, dj, drinks, shopping and fun

WHERE: Candace Collective, 171-177 Hollywood Road, 1st Floor

INQUIRIES: info@tanya-b.com, +852 648 7310  CASH ONLY