Madonna looks amazing thanks to £7,000 vibrating plate

by REBECCA CAMBER, Daily Mail

Last updated at 16:36 18 July 2006


With her heavily muscled arms, you would be forgiven for thinking it is the result of a punishing exercise regime at the gym.

But it seems the Queen of Pop's incredible shape is, in part, thanks to The Power Plate - dubbed the 'miracle' machine.

And for those who have spent years trying to beat the wobble, the news is sure to send out good vibrations.

The new exercise machine removes the need to actually work out.

Manufacturers claim that the vibrating platform offers the same benefits of an hour-long sweaty gym workout in just 15 minutes with the machine burning the calories for you.

The Power Plate is said to be responsible for the incredible shapes of not only Madonna, but also star such as Claudia Schiffer and Natalie Imbruglia.

But the "miracle" machine doesn't come cheap - at £6,995 it costs far more than the average annual gym membership.

After the muscley 47-year-old Queen of Pop bought the vibrating exercise platform, sales have reportedly soared.

A smaller version at John Lewis for £2,599 is currently the store's fastest selling fitness product, with one a day being snapped up, despite its princely price tag.

And in Harrods, around 20 machines are sold every weekend.

The plate works by giving the body muscles a high speed workout, as the vibrations make them contract and relax up to 50 times a second.

It may feel like standing on a spin dryer, but celebrities including Jonathan Ross, Colin Montgomerie, Sadie Frost and Donatella Versace are all fans.

The machine is also being used by several premiership football teams, including Manchester United and the German team trained with it during the World Cup.

Originally developed by Russian scientist Vladimir Nazarov, whole vibration training was used to prevent astronauts' muscles and bones wasting when they were in space.

Later, Russian ballet dancers discovered that vibration could aid the healing of their injuries by increasing their muscular strength.

Dutch Olympic trainer Guus van der Meer used this research in 1999 to develop the machine for the health and fitness sector.

In addition to increasing strength and toning the body, makers boast that it can improve blood flow and reduce cellulite if used for 15 minutes, three times a week.

Instead of jogging or power walking, users are instructed to do gentle exercises like squats or stretches on the platform.

Suitable for all ages and fitness levels, it is now being made available in gyms across the UK and has been recommended for osteoporosis and arthritis sufferers as it puts no strain on the joints.

A spokesman said: "Power Plate offers the benefits of regular exercise - a toned body, better flexibility, improved circulation which helps reduce the appearance of cellulite, increased stamina and improved fitness and well-being."

But fitness experts remain sceptical about the benefits of the machine.

Chief executive of the Fitness Industry Association, Andree Dean said: "It should only be used in conjunction with other types of exercise.

"It's great for those short of time, but it is not a quick fix and people shouldn't think that if they use it, they don't have to go to the gym anymore.

"It certainly does not provide cardiovascular exercise, which keeps the heart and blood circulation system healthy."

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