Smooth Out Your Journey: Cellulite Vibration Plate Before and After
Medically reviewed by: David M. Joyner, MD, FACS
The quest for smooth, dimple-free, skin can be a challenging one—whether you’re spending too much money on procedures that promise and don’t deliver, or you’re sweating over impossible workouts that just never work. If trying to obtain a cellulite-free life has left you at a loss, here’s an idea you may not have heard of: vibration plates.
Can they truly aid in reducing your cellulite? Scientific evidence says that they can.
With vibration plate studies and real-world results (including before-and-after pictures), we'll separate fact from fiction on vibration plate cellulite advantages, exploring how these plates work and whether they deserve a place in your anti-cellulite arsenal. Prepare to shed the myths and unveil the research behind how a vibration plate benefits cellulite.
Understanding Cellulite and Vibration Plates
Cellulite is the lumpy or dimpled appearance of skin, often on the thighs, buttocks, hips, and abdomen. It's caused by fat deposits pushing through connective tissue bands just beneath the skin's surface. Cellulite is very common, affecting an estimated 90% of post-puberty women. Cellulite doesn’t discriminate between weight, age, or body type; it can affect nearly anyone.
Unfortunately, cellulite can make some people feel self-conscious about their bodies, especially when wearing swimsuits or revealing clothing. In some cases, cellulite can be painful or tender.
As such a common issue for so many people, many treatments have hit the market that promise to smooth out these unwelcome bumps—from caffeine creams to laser therapy. But there’s one tool that stands out among the rest: vibration plates.
The Science Behind Vibration Plates
Vibration plates, or whole body vibration (WBV), work by sending small vibrations through your body as you stand, sit, exercise or balance on them. These vibrations from [low impact exercise] triggering multiple physiological responses, such as:
- Increased blood circulation – Vibratory stimuli activates mechanoreceptors in your skin and muscles, sending signals to the nervous system that trigger vasodilation, which has been shown to increase blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. This may help clear away toxins and excess fluids linked to the appearance of cellulite.
- Muscle activation –When placed on a Power Plate for cellulite reduction, muscles work harder due to the vibrations causing mini-muscle contractions, engaging more muscle fibers than when the body is at rest. This can lead to increased calorie burning and potentially aid in overall fat loss. Since cellulite is partly composed of fat deposits, this suggests that muscle activation and calorie burning may help reduce cellulite.
- Collagen and elastin production – Some studies suggest vibration, and its impact on vascular flow, may stimulate collagen and elastin production.
Although more research is required to understand the full benefits of vibration machines for cellulite, this area is rapidly advancing.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Vibration Plates
A study indicated that Whole Body Vibration reduced the appearance of cellulite in women compared to a control group.
In another study, there was evidence suggesting Power Plate® can reduce the appearance of cellulite when used “two to three times per week in sessions of 8 to 13 minutes with whole body vibration, plus 24 to 48 minutes of cardio training.”
So let’s see this potential in action with some real success stories.
Before and After: Real User Experiences
Erin had stopped taking care of her body in order to prioritize her children, and in January 2015, she decided it was time for a big change—so, she started increasing her personal training and added Power Plate small group sessions into her routine.
After two years, she had lost over 65 pounds and reduced her body fat by 20%. Along with boosting her energy, managing her weight, and increasing her circulation, Power Plate helped Erin increase her confidence and renewed love for her body. This holistic approach to fitness and well-being made a noticeable difference in her appearance, including her skin texture.
While Erin’s story is a best-case scenario, results are based upon each individual user’s body composition and routine.
Limitations and Considerations
Vibration plates, while holding great potential, are not a magic fix for any one health condition; there are limitations, especially when it comes to cellulite reduction. Several factors influence the effectiveness of vibration plates with cellulite, including one’s frequency of use, lifestyle, and diet.
Complementary Strategies for Cellulite Reduction
Even if body vibration training is especially helpful in cellulite reduction, they work best as part of a holistic health and wellness strategy. There are a few additional methods and lifestyle changes that can enhance the effects of vibration plates, such as diet, exercise, and other treatments.
Diet and Exercise
While vibration plates offer intriguing possibilities, remember they're just one piece of the puzzle. A balanced diet and regular exercise play crucial roles in tackling cellulite effectively.
When it comes to physical activity, aim for a combo of cardio and strength training. Cardio activities like brisk walking, running, or swimming can help burn calories, while strength training like bodyweight exercises can help build muscle, which may help your body burn some of those fat-depositing calories that likely contribute to cellulite.
Remember, the most important thing about any health routine is consistency. These aren’t quick fixes—they’re long-term lifestyle changes. By turning these changes into regular habits, you'll not only support potential cellulite reduction but also enhance your overall well-being.
Other Cellulite Treatments
You can also try combining the possible benefits of vibration plates with other forms of cellulite treatments to maximize their healing potential.
Here are a few options you can try in conjunction with regular vibration plate use:
- Topical creams and lotions
- Massage and dry brushing
- Cellulite-targeting devices
- Professional treatments
Bolstering these approaches with vibration plate exercises and a healthy lifestyle can give you a good chance of achieving noticeable cellulite reduction and a smoother, more confident appearance.
Safety and Best Practices
As always, safety should be your primary concern when working with vibration plates—and there are some key things to remember before you get started.
Safe Usage of Vibration Plates
Vibration plates like Power Plate are typically easy to use for any mobility level, age, or fitness acumen. That said, safe use is paramount. Follow these safety guidelines:
- Consult your doctor before starting any vibration plate exercises, especially if you have any health conditions, injuries, are pregnant, or are taking medications.
- Begin with low-intensity settings and short sessions to acclimate your body.
- Maintain proper form: If you’re standing on your vibration plate, always keep your knees slightly bent and shift your weight to find a stance that maximizes muscle activation.
- Listen to your body, and stop if you experience pain, dizziness, or discomfort.
- Hold onto handles or perform exercises against a wall for support, especially if you have balance issues or weaker muscles.
- Incorporate variety by trying different exercises like squats, lunges, planks, and arm circles to work various muscle groups.
The amount of time you should spend on your vibration plate depends on the individual exercises you are performing. Check out this Beginners Guide to Using the Power Plate by Dr. Perry Cammisa.
Who Should Avoid Vibration Plates
While whole body vibration training is great for many, it may not be right for everyone. Consult your doctor before beginning the use of vibration plates.
Shake Cellulite Off with Help from Power Plate
The quest for smooth, dimple-free skin is one many women and individuals share, and cellulite is often an obstacle to that goal. Topical treatments like creams often don’t deliver, in-office treatments can be expensive and painful.
Instead, shake up your workout routine and give cellulite a run for its money with our patented, science-backed technology at Power Plate. On top of our whole body vibration machines, we carry a variety of targeted vibration products focused on preparation and recovery. Learn more about our vibration massage gun and vibrating foam rollers.
Rediscover the joy of supported movement and accessible wellness today with Power Plate.
Sources:
Cleveland Clinic. Cellulite. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17694-cellulite
Medical Science Monitor. Regular Massage on a Power Plate® Machine Can Help Improve Circulation. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0362/1139/2645/files/regular-massage-on-a-power-plate-machine-can-help-improve-circulation-en-us.pdf?v=1586157199
PLOS One. Metabolic effect of bodyweight whole-body vibration in a 20-min exercise session: A crossover study using verified vibration stimulus. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0192046
Vascular Health Risk Management. Blood flow interplays with elastin: collagen and MMP: TIMP ratios to maintain healthy vascular structure and function. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2856577/
Cristovam DN, Botelho S, Andrade MF, Marques J, Sousa L. Whole-body vibration in the reduction of the cellulite. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2019 Aug;21(5):278-285. doi: 10.1080/14764172.2018.1525750. Epub 2018 Oct 9. PMID: 30300017. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30300017/
SANADERM Professional Clinic for Skin Disease and Allergology. Whole Body Vibration and Reduction of Cellulite. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0362/1139/2645/files/whole-body-vibration-helps-reduce-cellulite.pdf?v=1586158435
