Two Weeks with a Vibration Plate

I'm sure you've seen vibration plates advertised online somewhere in the last couple of years. These small plastic devices are designed to stand on, stretch across, and do push-ups on, all while they vibrate at various speeds. When you usually see them, you'll see some influencer rambling on about lymphatic drainage or weight loss, but this is the modern equivalent of those old vibrating belt machines from the 20s and 30s. It just doesn't work for that.

So, why would I be interested in a vibration plate that is clearly sold to people who spend too much time online believing everything they read? Well, mostly curiosity. It sounded like it might feel good, and I was so curious what sensation it created. However, I wasn't $150 curious, I was more like $30 curious, so when I ran across a Merach vibration plate for $35, I figured what the heck.

My first reaction was that I was impressed by the heft and build of the vibration plate. I was assuming it would be a cheap, unsteady piece of plastic, but it was listed to hold 350 lbs, and I believe it. It came with some exercise bands to use while on the machine, and a remote control to adjust the speed, Bluetooth music, etc.

When it arrived, I excitedly ripped open the box, plugged it in, flipped the switch, stood on it, and was quite honestly wowed by the vibration. The settings go from 1-99. I set it on 9, and I could feel it throughout my body, but primarily in my hips/lower back. I adjusted my feet, which adjusted where the vibration went, and I kept experimenting. I cranked up the vibration setting and my only reaction was... this is impressive. Not only did it feel good, it felt like it was loosening my body up, which is more of an issue at my age than worrying about phantom lymphatic drainage.

I think the biggest misconception about a vibration plate is that it vibrates. I assumed it was a stationary board that had a motor with varying degrees of vibration, not too unlike a massager. Of course, now that I think about that, that would have to be a powerful motor. But a vibration plate is more of a wobble board. It lifts up and down from each side, thus creating almost a short walking motion, which, if you are standing on it, is great for your hips.

I've spent a little over two weeks standing on the vibration plate every day for anywhere from three to ten minutes. It's not something I've felt the need to watch TV while standing on, but it's a nice break from the day that seems to loosen up my muscles when everything feels tight. It also seems to help with my lower back/hips, which is my weak spot and tends to tighten up the most. That area is the easiest to target because a wide stance really forces the vibration to that area.

I've also read online that if you sit on it, it can help you go poo, so ya... bonus features!

I've attempted some exercise on the plate, such as squats and push-ups, but this thing takes those exercises to another level that, quite honestly, I'm not interested in. So, instead, I use it for stretching and some recovery. The other day, my calves were a little tight, so I sat on the floor, put my calves across the machine, and let it do its thing. A few minutes later, I felt much better.

What started off as a novelty, almost joke purchase, has turned into something quite useful for me. I'm very happy with the price I paid, and if this broke, I'd probably spend up to $75 to replace it. I don't think I could justify $150, but I guess we'll see how often I use this thing over the next few months. Hopefully it'll become something I continue to use daily like the slant board I purchased earlier this year.