Best vibration plates for older adults, including plates with handles

In this article

1. What the research says for older adults
2. Check with a GP first if…
3. Best with handlebars: Bluefin Pro
4. Best flat board: LifePro Waver
5. Other plates with handles
6. Getting started safely
7. FAQs

Vibration plates are popular with older people, and with their families buying for them. That makes sense: balance and leg strength are where the research looks most promising. But it’s also the group where safety matters most, and where having something to hold on to can make the difference between using a plate every day and leaving it in a cupboard.

This guide explains what the research says for older adults, who should check with a GP first, and the plates we’d choose, including the best options with handlebars.

What the research says for older adults

Balance and mobility are where vibration plates look most useful. A 2012 review in the journal Maturitas pooled 13 trials in older adults and found significant improvements in standard balance and mobility tests, including the Timed Up and Go test. A 2017 review in BMJ Open looked at 14 studies, and in the four that recorded falls, people who did vibration training had about a third fewer falls than those who didn’t. That’s encouraging, though it comes from a small number of trials.

Two things are worth knowing. First, most studies combined vibration with exercises such as squats, rather than simply standing on the plate. Second, the results apply to the groups studied and won’t necessarily apply to everyone. Our full guide to whether vibration plates work covers bones, strength and circulation too, with sources.

Check with a GP first if…

Vibration plates aren’t suitable for everyone. Speak to a GP before starting if you have a pacemaker or other implant, a joint replacement or metal pins, a history of blood clots, epilepsy, a heart condition, eye problems such as a detached retina, or you’ve had recent surgery. Our safety guide and medical disclaimer have the full list.

Best with handlebars: Bluefin Pro

For many older users, the most important feature isn’t power, it’s having something solid to hold. The Bluefin Pro is an upright plate with full-height handlebars and a console at hand height, so you can steady yourself while you get used to the movement. Bluefin backs the motor with a lifetime warranty. Its frequency range is low compared with premium plates, which suits gentle training. It needs a permanent spot on the floor.

Best flat board: LifePro Waver

If a full upright plate won’t fit, a low, oscillating board is the next best thing. The LifePro Waver starts very gently and builds up in fine steps, and at 14cm tall it’s easy to step on and off. Place it next to a kitchen worktop or a sturdy chair you can hold.

Other plates with handles

Upright plates with handles are less common than flat boards. The other upright plates we cover are commercial machines, designed for gyms and clinics, and priced accordingly:

• Hypervibe G17 Pro: a powerful upright pivotal plate with handles, in the £££££ Commercial band.
• Power Plate pro7: Power Plate’s flagship for gyms and clinics. Most home users are better served by a home plate.

Whichever plate you choose, a stable chair or worktop within reach is a sensible safety net.

Getting started safely

• Start on the lowest setting for one or two minutes, with knees slightly bent. Never lock your knees.
• Hold on to handles, a worktop or a sturdy chair until you feel steady.
• Build up slowly over a few weeks, adding simple moves such as mini squats and heel raises. Our exercise guide has illustrated routines.
• Stop straight away if you feel dizzy, faint or in pain.

FAQs

Are vibration plates good for over-60s?

They can help with balance and leg strength as part of a routine, according to reviews of the research, and many older people find them an easy way to get moving. Check with your GP first if you have any long-term condition.

Is a plate with handles safer?

Handles give you something to hold, which helps confidence and stability, especially at first. A flat board placed beside a worktop or sturdy chair is a reasonable alternative.

Can vibration plates help osteoporosis?

The evidence on bone density is mixed. Don’t use a plate as a replacement for treatment, and speak to your GP or specialist before starting if you have osteoporosis.