Since opening in April 2019, Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre in Basildon has set out to do things differently.

Focused heavily on medical rehab, active ageing and personalised support – and collaborating with Active Essex – the club’s inclusive, judgement-free approach attracts members across a wide range of ages and abilities. Its goal: to unlock the power of exercise to improve health, wellbeing and confidence.

This ethos is deeply embedded, coming directly from owner Aaron Tyler. Fitness has always been a part of Tyler’s life, but with a herniated disc, sacroiliitis, chronic pain and inflammation, as well as damage to his cerebellum and cognitive behaviour, an alternative, rehabilitative approach was required.

Tyler’s research into pain relief and rehabilitation led him to Power Plate, which enabled him to work out and recover without additional pain or injuries. In fact, after using Power Plate, Tyler found he felt significantly better, with improved co-ordination, balance, mobility and flexibility, as well as an ability to manage chronic pain without medication.

Little surprise, then, that Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre now integrates Power Plate into everything from activation and recovery to group exercise classes, rehab, PT sessions and personalised programmes. It embraces the full range of Power Plate products, from whole body vibration platforms to targeted vibration devices and the Power Plate REV™ bike.

A health-optimising mission

Of course, many people think of Power Plate® as a fitness tool, and it certainly delivers great fitness benefits, improving strength, cardiovascular performance, flexibility and recovery, as well as supporting disciplines such as yoga and massage. But this is only part of the story.

“We’re on a mission to optimise people’s health, taking pressure off the NHS by empowering gym and health club operators to deliver healthcare within their own environments,” says Steve Wright, VP of Power Plate UK & EMEA.

“As our sector moves to embrace this agenda, we’re responding not only with health-optimising products, but also the data operators need to evidence their case. From Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s to stroke rehab, cerebral palsy, menopause and more, we have the scientific evidence – and the case studies – to demonstrate Power Plate’s positive impact.”

Changing people’s lives

We need look no further than Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre for a powerful case study.

At this remarkable club, Power Plate is used across the board to make movement possible for those not previously capable of physical activity.

One member had been run over by a fork lift truck and couldn’t feel his legs. After doing Power Plate sessions, he now has feeling in his legs and can walk. His verdict: Power Plate has changed his life.

Another member had a stroke after receiving anaesthetic, which left her with a locked hand. Using Power Plate Pulse, the team at Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre managed to reopen her hand. This not only helped her medically but, as she can now hold equipment, also enabled her to return to training. She’s back working towards her fitness goals.

A member with hemiplegic cerebral palsy was encouraged to join the club after Tyler spotted him in a supermarket and offered help. Through regular sessions on the Power Plate, he has now built sufficient muscle and strength in his legs to be able to move more easily.

Tyler and his team approached Power Plate for research into the benefits of whole body vibration (WBV) training for individuals with Parkinson’s; a member with this condition now trains with Power Plate and lives a better life with less pain.

A member with severe plantar fasciitis can now put her foot to the ground and walk.

And a stroke recovery programme and community sees a group of stroke survivors come to the club each week for a group discussion and Power Plate workout to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre also combines Power Plate with Blaze Pods to support members with cerebral palsy, brain injuries and following strokes.

Almost everywhere you look in the club, there’s someone whose life has been transformed thanks to Tyler and Power Plate, to the point that examples other clubs might showcase are simply normal at Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre. “We have so many members who can now walk without sticks,” says Tyler, “while others – myself included – use Power Plate Move classes to relieve our sciatica.”

Sharing the science

Crucially, Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre places a strong focus on discussing the science with its members. Tyler explains: “A number of members had seen Power Plates in other gyms and just thought it was something that made you wobble! They didn’t understand what it was all about.

“We always explain the science, which means people use Power Plate properly and really feel the benefits.”

It’s an approach that has made Power Plate so popular at the club that there’s often a queue to use the products, says Tyler.

Power Plate’s Wright concludes: “As our sector looks to open doors with the UK’s healthcare system, it’s vitally important that it has the products and the independently-verified evidence to make a compelling case.

“We’re committed to providing this. Power Plate is the one single brand that delivers on the health, fitness and wellness needs of an unparalleled range of populations.

“We’re here to help clubs embrace a more health-centric agenda to truly change people’s lives, and Feelgood Fitness & Wellness Centre is the inspiring example that shows what’s possible. We’re hugely proud to partner with Aaron and his team.”