Programming For Success Part 1: Beginning

After every live education course taught by the Power Plate Master Trainer team, we all ask ourselves the same question: will that help the end user? We want to know if the new information we've just passed on will allow the trainer or therapist help their clients. Gym members can often be left to their own devices after an initial introduction. With that in mind we are passionate about opening the door for people to see where Power Plate fits into their journey. Understanding when to use vibration and why it’s vital no matter the level of experience or level of fitness.

The Beginner

Everyone who joins a fitness club should have an idea of what that facility offers from the outset. How many programs will I be given? Do I get a free personal training session? When do we reassess my goals? All valid questions that should be answered from day one. An induction on equipment normally kicks off that member’s journey and, in the following few weeks, should involve:

For the member:

1. Exploring the appropriate Power Plate settings for your workout (e.g. 30 and LOW for mobility and flexibility, 30-35 LOW for strength exercises and tipping into HIGH for massage).
2. Selecting movements that are fairly familiar will allow for a comfortable environment, avoiding sensations such as vibration travel to the head.
3. Get accustomed to using Power Plate at the beginning and end of the gym session. A full 30- minute workout using Power Plate alone may not be the best solution for you at this point.

For the trainer:

1. Always match the movements to the member's individual goals. Too often it's tempting to just give them a list of exercises, but Power Plate allows for a whole host of things. Make it specific.
2. Have a good understanding of not only the settings but also of the effects of vibration training. Know that your client's heart rate will increase with just a little effort, more so on Power Plate than with most tools in the gym.
3. Always observe and assess the member's comfort, ability and overall comprehension of what's happening to their body during a session. And it's important to have experienced an entry–level workout for yourself in order to know how the client will feel.

Starting on any new piece of gym equipment can be daunting. It's important to follow the advice of your trainer. But it's also important to question and explore a little. If something doesn't feel right or seems to be ineffective then talk to your trainer, seek out knowledge or come straight to the source at Power Plate and ask us a question. Start off in the best possible way. Get a clear picture of the journey from that first induction onward over the next few weeks, months and hopefully the next few years.

Part 2 in this series will tackle programming for existing and intermediate level users. Answering the obvious first question of: how do I know if I'm at an intermediate level?