PowerFit Elite

Getting in shape without having to sweat is a pipe dream for many. What if all it took to slim down was buying a machine that gently shook the weight right off you?

The PowerFit Elite is an As Seen on TV fitness product that promises to help you shake off your excess body weight for a “slim, firm, sexy new you.”

You’re meant to stand on this multi-directional vibration platform and perform a range of exercises like squats, lunges, and more.

The idea is that your body will work harder to maintain your balance and stability, which contracts and relaxes each muscle so that you get in a more efficient workout.

This portable platform is branded as a way to maximize your workouts in just 30 minutes a week. Are these claims unrealistic, or can you really expect to lose weight and tone up with the PowerFit Elite? Learn HighYa’s take here.

How Does PowerFit Elite Work?

The PowerFit Elite claims to supercharge traditional exercises to help you get the most out of your cross pulls, push-ups, squats, yoga, lunges, bicep curls, core, laterals, and more.

This technology was purportedly inspired by vibrating workout systems designed for Russian astronauts who needed to maintain their muscle tone while in space.

PowerFit Elite states that using this device for three ten-minute workouts a week will help you burn calories and tone your muscles, especially when paired with a healthy diet and regular exercise.

The entire device is advertised as silent to use and compact enough to fit under your bed or a dresser for simple storage.

You can adjust the strength of the vibrations from settings from one to 99, and where you stand on the board will also change the difficulty. The further you stand from the center, the stronger the power and the more challenging to maintain your balance.

These gentle vibrations are purportedly easy on the joints so that people of all fitness levels can start benefiting immediately. The board comes with programs for beginners, intermediate, and advanced users, and there are YouTube videos available for full workout classes.

Safety

The PowerFit Elite product website makes it clear that this fitness device might have health risks for some people.

It’s not recommended for use during pregnancy or for those who have recently had surgery. Likewise, those with underlying health issues that might affect their ability to balance should talk with their doctor before using it.

Clinical Evidence for the Whole Body Vibration Machines

Moving your workouts to a vibrating platform sounds almost too easy for getting in shape. Does clinical evidence support PowerFit’s claims? Here’s a look at some of the relevant studies.

One study from 2004 looked at the effects of 20 minutes of whole-body vibration on physically active males.

Twenty-two physically active males exercised on the vibrating machine for twenty-minute sessions, and the study found that they increased their energy expenditure by 22% compared to exercising without it.

More research on whole-body vibration from 2004 looked at its effects on 48 “untrained” females.

However, after 24 weeks of whole-body vibration training, participants did not show any significant differences in weight, total body fat, or subcutaneous fat, though they made gains in their knee-extensor strength.

Another study, this one from 2017, found that whole-body vibration may be as effective as regular exercise for relaxing and contracting the muscles.

This study looked at the effects of vibrations on obese mice over 12 weeks and found that those who spent twenty minutes per day on a whole-body vibration machine experienced similar metabolic benefits as mice that spent 45 minutes on a treadmill daily.

Pricing and Return Policy

The PowerFit Elite is currently sold on the company website as a $14.99 30-day trial offer. The fine print shows that you will also be billed $19.99 for shipping and handling, and must then make four monthly payments of $49.99.

One benefit of signing up for the 30-day trial offer is that you will receive a free deluxe upgrade set that includes a remote control, resistance bands, a workout guide, and a healthy eating plan.

Alternatively, you can purchase the PowerFit outright for $199.96, and the company will waive the shipping cost and 30-day trial fee for a savings of $35.

All PowerFit orders are covered by a 60-day return period. This period starts on the day you receive your order, and you can contact customer service to receive a return merchandise authorization number and start the refund process.

Once accepted, you’ll receive a full refund, minus any shipping fees associated with the delivery and return.

Popular Alternatives

For those interested in adding some vibrations to your exercise routine, there are numerous whole-body vibration machine brands to consider. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of the popular options:

In a lot of ways, these vibration machines are relatively indistinguishable from each other. Each offers multiple speed settings to help you customize your workout, and they all include additional accessories for maximizing your workout.

One thing to note is that PowerFit Elite’s marketing is the most targeted towards weight loss compared to these other options. Each of the other machines puts more emphasis on how it offers a way to get low impact exercise that will strengthen your joints and potentially aid your rehabilitation efforts.

These claims are more in line with what clinical evidence shows that whole-body vibrating machines can deliver. And, while the PowerFit Elite site boasts of how the machine can help you lose weight, the fine print is careful to point out that you are only likely to experience those kinds of benefits if you combine the machine with exercise and a healthy diet.

The Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?

The PowerFit Elite makes some bold promises about its benefits—some of which stand up to scientific scrutiny better than others.

If you use this device regularly to perform intense bodyweight exercises like lunges and squats, then there’s a high chance that it will improve your fitness and help you get in better shape.

However, if you buy this machine with the idea that all you need to do is stand on it to start shedding weight, you’re likely to be disappointed.

The PowerFit Elite is a tool that can make your workouts marginally more effective. However, you’ll still need to put in the hard work of actually exercising to notice any benefits.

While the company claims this machine can get you in shape in 30 minutes a week, the clinical evidence recommends close to that much use per day for any benefits.

Here’s our final word. The PowerFit Elite is not a magic solution for weight loss and toning, so keep your expectations realistic when you use it.