Power plate is the latest exercise vibe

By Simon Hayes on March 27, 2008 10:00 AM |

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HAVE you cottoned on to the latest vibe in the world of personal fitness?

Power Plate is the newest exercise craze to sweep the country, with celebrities like Kylie and Elle MacPherson, as well as a growing number of sportsmen, among the devotees of plate power.

And now the first dedicated Power Plate venue has opened in Canary Wharf. The Power Studio, at 41 Millharbour, opened its doors in February, offering 25-minute sessions on the state-of-the-art fitness machines. Ideal for the time-conscious Wharf executive.

The machines, first developed in the 1970s to assist the training of Soviet cosmonauts, use the principle of acceleration training. This stimulates the body's natural response to vibration, where the muscles contact in a natural stretch reflex 30 to 50 times a second.

This means a full-body workout can be completed in just 15 minutes, certainly a positive for time-pressured Wharf executives.

But don't be fooled - this is no easy option for soft-bellied businessmen to salve their consciences before heading off for another expenses lunch.

You are seriously put through your paces in each session, with a range of lunges, steps and other exercises targeting specific muscle groups.

"Each exercise is carefully planned to maximise the benefit of using the plate," said managing director Susi Russell. "You'll find it helps to build stamina and improve muscle tone, as well as just generally making you feel better."

That's certainly true.

Having decided in January to have a crack at this year's London Marathon, but worrying that I'd not left enough time to get fit enough, I've found twice-weekly sessions at the Power Studio have not only improved my stamina and aided recovery time after a run, but also trimmed down that post-Christmas beer gut. A definite bonus!

So, why not step up to the plate and give it a go? Not only is it fun, it's good for you too.

The Power Studio is also offering special deals for anyone running the Marathon For more information call 020 7001 0809 or log onto www.thepowerstudio.com.

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk