We caught up with Mahalath Gordon at Hidden Springs where she is a trainer and asked her about some of her unique services for clients.
What is this Power Plate training I keep hearing about?
It’s this space age looking machine that you stand on to work out while it vibrates. It really turbocharges your workout, so that you get an hour and a half whole body strength training workout in just 30 minutes.
Vibration technology was first developed in Russia to prevent bone loss and muscle atrophy in cosmonauts. Then Russian athletes got into it too, because it proved so effective at increasing performance. Finally, Russian doctors started using it with their geriatric patients and found it helped almost all aspects of aging.
How did you get into fitness?
I was raised on mostly junk food and had bad habits my whole life. Taco Bell became my best friend during my pregnancy. I could scarf down a whole cheesecake in two days! By the time my daughter was born, I was up to 180 pounds. I’m only 5’3’’ so that’s a lot! Five months later, I hadn’t lost any weight at all and I knew I had to do something. I joined a gym, even though I had never worked out a day in my life. But I was totally depressed with the way I looked and then ending the relationship with my daughter’s father. Exercise suddenly gave me an outlet to release all my sadness and anger. It gave me my power back and the strength to move forward. I can honestly say that getting fit truly saved my life.
How did you get started in the gym, since this was so new for you?
My strategy was to pick the strongest guy at the gym and ask him if I could work out with him. I learned a lot, got into great shape quickly, dropped down to 140 pounds and 30% body fat. Seeing these results inspired me to get certified as a Personal Trainer with the IFPA so I could help other people. But it was taking a lot of time. I was working out 2-3 hours a day, 6 days a week. Then I discovered the power plate. I switched over and did just three 30-minute sessions a week. Wow. I progressed even faster, with noticeable results within two weeks! I got down to my ideal weight of 125 pounds and 16% body fat and lost all my cellulite! I now love the way I look and feel extremely confident in myself, because of the strength I’ve built in my body, mind and spirit.
How did you get into training others on the Power Plate?
I was so passionate about my results that when the first Power Plate studio in the US opened in Miami Beach, I got myself hired as a trainer there. Within a month I was promoted to manager of the studio. Then I obtained basic and advanced certifications on the Power Plate, qualifying me to train the everyday person and the athlete. I’ve now been training on the Power Plate for 7 years.
Tell me more about the Power Plate.
Power Plate machines use the principles of Acceleration Training to stimulate the body’s natural response to vibration. These vibrations transmit waves of energy throughout the body, activating muscle contractions 35 times per second, enhancing overall performance in sessions as short as 30 minutes, 3 times a week.
What are the benefits of Power Plate training?
Power Plate training offers the same benefits as other strength training programs: increased muscle strength and flexibility, improved range of motion, decreased body fat and cellulite, and increased bone mineral density. But it gets these results more efficiently than weight training, with much less time in the gym. It also improves blood circulation immediately, which reduces soreness and allows for faster recovery.
People love the quick 30-minute sessions, and that they can just show up and I lead them through everything. They’re done before they know it, ready for a sauna and shower. Every one of my clients has told me that if they didn’t have their appointment with me they would blow off their workout. It really makes me feel good to know that I am inspiring people to transform their bodies and habits. I always give the first session free so I encourage everyone to come and try it out.
You moved from Miami Beach to Ashland; what do you like about it here?
I love the mountains and the seasons, but most of all I love the consciousness in Ashlanders. I love that so many people are seeking health and wellness. Where I came from, you had to drag people to get them to do something healthy. I do miss the cultural diversity though, being half Italian plus a mixture of Jamaican, Indian, and Chinese. I miss being surrounded by all the Caribbeans and Latinos.
How do you like training at the Hidden Springs?
I feel blessed to be working with the other trainers and our practitioners. It’s really refreshing to work among such open-minded and kind people. We all share the same ideas about wellness and strive for it every day. I have to say, I enjoy Hidden Springs the most when Coach John Hacker’s around. He’s a riot and I learn a lot from him each day.
What else is important in your life?
Being a good mom by setting an example of what it means to be a kind and powerful woman for my daughter. I also love volunteering at my daughter’s school because another dream of mine is to someday become a Waldorf Teacher.
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Call Mahalath at (541) 778-5863 to schedule.
