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Do Vibration Plates Help With Cellulite?
Sure, it’s widespread and harmless. But that doesn’t make cellulite any more pleasant. Manifesting as a “dimpled” or “cottage cheese” appearance on the skin, cellulite arises from fat deposits pressing against tissue below the skin’s surface.1
Since most people believe dimples belong only on faces, they attempt to iron out their cellulite with weight loss and prescription creams. Success rates vary, and improvements seldom last.
But the quest to vanquish cellulite may finally have found a champion: the vibration plate, a novel tool that douses the body with steady, pulsating waves. Do vibration plates help with cellulite? They sure do, and they deliver a host of additional benefits to boot.
Why Is Cellulite So Challenging to Reduce?
With the endless parade of fresh medical marvels we witness every year, it might seem strange that cellulite remains so stubborn. After all, it’s only fatty tissue. Yet it continues to plague people—young and old, slim and heavy.
The first solution that pops up in most people’s minds? Liposuction. If cellulite stems from fat deposits beneath the skin, removing the fat should nip it in the bud, right?
Not quite…
Connective Tissue and Fat Deposits
Cellulite transcends mere issues with fat. In reality, it results from excessive “skin tethering,” where the surface layer of skin becomes tightly bolted to the connective tissue beneath (called fascia).2 Picture tent pegs tugging down a tarp.
Fascia shouldn’t get a bad name, though. It serves as a critical support structure for3:
- Bones
- Muscles
- Internal organs
- Ligaments
- Tendons
- Joints
Composed of collagen, fascia looks like string cheese and easily stretches to support complex movement.3 If fascia dries out or grows rigid, it majorly impairs mobility.
When fatty tissue gets tangled in this subcutaneous connective tissue, it can recede from the surface, leaving behind mini “craters” that produce the dreaded dimpled appearance. Areas with greater fat stores (like legs and buttocks) readily fall victim because they hold more fat for the fascia to catch.
Lifestyle and Genetic Influences
Obviously, this means carrying excess weight increases the risk of cellulite. A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are both strongly linked to cellulite.1 This is good news because it means lifestyle changes (losing weight, eating healthy, regular exercise) can help combat skin dimpling.
Unfortunately, cellulite also stems from1:
- Hormonal changes, such as during menopause4
- Skin type and texture
- Genetics
These factors all lie outside the realm of control. So, while positive lifestyle changes can make an impact, they’re unlikely to solve the problem entirely. And so the search continues.
TrimLite Vibration Plate
HexaPlate Lite Vibration Plate
HexaPlate Vibration Plate
Vibration Platform Poster
The Science Behind Vibration Plates
Vibration plates have recently stepped onto the anti-cellulite scene, but many people have yet to discover their powers.
Vibration plates first appeared in 1867, the invention of Russian doctor Gustav Zander.5 Zander’s original model utilized weights and pulleys to rattle a chair in a regular rhythm.
Zander believed the vibrations helped shake loose ossified tissue, and he touted his creation as a treatment for poor circulation and constipation. Later, Soviet doctors used Zander’s invention to restore bone loss in astronauts returning from early space missions.5
Recent scientific research into whole body vibration (WBV) concluded that steady oscillations, by activating previously inert muscle fibers, can:
- Stimulate muscle growth6
- Enhance blood flow7
- Increase bone density8
- Improve lymphatic drainage9
Essentially, the vibrations invite your body to activate dormant resources and clear away clogged-up fluid deposits. A host of positive benefits follow. Learn more about whole-body vibration benefits in our blog.
How Vibration Plates Work
Vibration plates (electronic platforms that plug into a wall outlet and oscillate at varying rates) are the most efficient way to receive these healing vibrations.
As the waves course through your body, they stimulate your muscle spindles (which report to your brain how much your muscle fibers tighten and release).5
Your brain responds to this input by continually recalculating your posture (to maintain balance against the pressures of gravity and the ongoing vibration). It’s these enhanced reaction demands that produce the sought-after muscle activation and calorie burn.
For those seeking to purge cellulite, whole-body vibration therapy makes an excellent complement to traditional weight loss regimens.
Evidence of Effectiveness for Cellulite Treatment
Aside from aiding in weight loss, vibration therapy also directly targets cellulite. Several studies have focused on the interplay between vibration and cellulite reduction, noting a positive correlation.
Research Highlights
One study set out to document visual improvement to cellulite patches post-vibration training. A group of women regularly self-administered vibrational therapy with a handheld device over 24 weeks. Participants reported diminished dimpling.10
Another explored the relationship between enhanced circulation and cellulite appearance. A different group of women received 15 sessions of WBV in both sitting and supine positions. At the study’s conclusion, the participants showed markedly decreased cellulite grades.11
Collagen Production For Firmer Skin
Cellulite is more likely to show through thin skin, so collagen supplements occupy a prominent place in the constellation of cellulite treatments. The most widespread protein in the human body, collagen forms the basic material for12:
- Skin
- Bone
- Muscle
- Fascia
It provides structure to your tissue and plays a prominent role in thick, healthy skin.
Fortunately for cellulite strugglers, vibration machines show stupendous promise in triggering collagen production,13 potentially producing a sturdier outer layer to conceal the cellulite beneath.
How to Get Results
These studies make clear that vibration therapy delivers the greatest results with consistent use, rendering at-home vibrational therapy a potent weapon in the fight against cellulite.
Since stores of subcutaneous fat aggravate the problem, using vibrational therapy in tandem with a solid workout plan offers the best path to a cellulite-free life. Consider starting an exercise step platform routine or regular resistance band workouts alongside WBV.
Maximizing Results with Vibration Plates
If you’ve decided to tackle your cellulite (and improve your health) by adding a vibration plate to your life—congrats! You’ve taken a huge step toward elevated health and confidence. Check out our Lifepro vibration plate comparison guide if you’re having a hard time choosing the right plate.
As you begin, you may wonder how to ensure positive results. Fortunately, vibration plates are simple to use—just keep a few tips in mind.
Follow Proper Setup
First off, find a level surface to set your vibration plate and plug it in. Choose an area with ample room to move (you don’t want to be jammed into a corner, for example).
- Stand on the platform and place your feet roughly shoulder-width apart
- Bend your knees slightly (this helps brace against the incoming vibrations)
- Switch your vibe plate on and let the waves flow
As the vibrations jet through your muscle fibers, feel free to perform some basic movements, like stretches or yoga postures. Of course, benefits still flow from simply standing or sitting still and absorbing the oscillations. Learn more in our blog about the benefits of sitting on a vibration plate.
Perform Bodyweight Exercises
When brand new to whole body vibration, it’s often best to start by standing still and holding your balance.
As you grow accustomed to the sensation, feel free to challenge yourself by trying some vibration plate workouts. Experiment with classic bodyweight exercises, such as:
- Squats – Increase the difficulty by holding some adjustable dumbbells
- Lunges – If your vibration plate is large enough to take a full step
- Push-ups – Place your hands on the vibe plate, with your feet on the floor
- Planks – Similar to the push-up position: arms below shoulders on the vibe plate
As your muscles work against your body weight, they must simultaneously hold steady against the jostling waves. This heightens intensity and enhances the benefit.
Moderate Use for Ideal Results
So, you’ve gotten the hang of adding healing waves to your workout routine. But you might be wondering: how often should you use a vibration plate?
Generally, you’ll want to limit your daily dosage to a max of 30 minutes, while a minimum of 15 minutes per day is enough to see benefits. It’s also important to allow for rest in between workouts. 3-4 sessions a week makes an ideal target for most users, but learn more in our blog.
Complement With Healthy Lifestyle Choices
While vibration plates offer momentous health benefits, they can’t do the job alone. Get the most out of your vibe plate by taking charge of your underlying health:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Stay hydrated
- Get solid sleep
- Socialize regularly
- Minimize sugar, alcohol, and caffeine intake
If your primary focus is to eliminate cellulite, support whole body vibration with plenty of cardio (it boosts skin health)14 and topical cellulite treatments.
Manage Expectations
As with any health tool, whole body vibration can’t work miracles. While it shows enormous promise with regard to cellulite, results will vary by individual. Since the root cause of cellulite remains unknown (and much depends on genetics), no approach offers guaranteed success.
To better your chances, focus on regular use and maintaining robust overall health.
Safety Guidelines
Vibration plate use comes with a few caveats. Individuals with certain underlying health conditions should avoid them, and others should exercise caution when beginning whole body vibration. Those who cannot use vibration plates include people with:
- Heart conditions
- Muscle and bone injuries
- Medical implants (like pacemakers)
Additionally, pregnant women and young children should avoid vibration plates. There’s no evidence to suggest the practice is harmful, but little research exists on how vibration affects children’s development.
Why Choose Lifepro Vibration Plates?
We get it: settling cellulite can feel like an uphill battle! But at Lifepro, we believe in holding a “never give up” mindset. That’s why we’ve poured our heart and soul into crafting top-notch vibration plates for all needs and surroundings, from the on-the-go portability of the Waver Mini to the rock-solid support of the Rhythm Vibration Plate.
Vibrant health doesn’t just arrive overnight. It stems from daily dedication. It takes a team, and we’d like to be on yours. Discover our offerings today.
