FIT & LEAN WITH EMS TRAINING
Fit and lean in just 20-minute (weekly) training sessions? Every lazy person’s dream (and stubborn fat’s nightmare)!
Is there anything more disheartening or frustrating than ‘stubborn fat’? Sometimes, no matter how faithful you are to your workout routine, it’s those last few pounds that just refuse to melt away.
If this is your situation, then adding Electrical Muscle Stimulation (or EMS for short) to your regular workout routine may just be for you. EMS is a type of training method that improves body tone, strengthens muscles, and overall fitness. It involves wearing an EMS device that stimulates muscles with tiny electrodes.
A regular workout routine typically only stimulates fast twitch muscles but with an EMS device both the slow and fast-twitch muscles are activated. Incorporating an EMS device into your routine will also shorten the amount of time spent in the gym. The efficiency of these devices promises results for as little as 20 minutes a day.
Almost every wellness center and gym offer EMS training sessions with their licensed personal trainers. During an EMS training session, the individual wears an EMS device in the form of a suit, vest, and/or shorts that is wired and fits tight (to prevent accidents during the workout) of a which will electrically stimulate distinctive groups of muscles. The individual is instructed to hold different poses for several seconds.
As you exercise (which is already engaging your muscles), electrical impulses from the EMS device force muscles to contract, resulting in more muscle recruitment. These pulses act as resistance, making the seemingly ‘simple’ movements feel much harder to do and leaves you fatigued much faster.
EMS training does not hurt but the light tingling sensation from the device may take some getting used to. The sensations are completely normal as they indicate the device is working and stimulating muscles. Just like any other training, how sore the body will feel after a session of EMS training depends on multiple factors, such as the intensity of the work out, weights used, and length of time.
Although EMS training sessions are brief, they are quite intense and failing to properly assess the maximum electrical exposure can be dangerous. The German Society for Clinical Neurophysiology and Functional Imagery (DGKN) warns that EMS devices can cause muscle and kidney damage, when used incorrectly.
Before starting, you should have your liver function checked and make sure that you are not suffering from a muscle disorder. The best (and safest) way to add EMS training to your regular workout routine is with a trained physical therapist who is knowledgeable in applying the device and using regulated with FDA-approved units. In moderation and under medical supervision, EMS training is acceptable.
Besides accelerated body toning results, other benefits include improved muscle strength and endurance. The EMS device encourages your body to enter a high metabolic state, helping sculpt even the most stubborn areas of the body such as the waist, hip, and thigh areas. Results will be evident if you use the device for 20-30 minutes a day, 5 times a week.
The best EMS machine depends on which EMS device best targets your stubborn areas and is of specific body concern to you. Most EMS devices are made to tone a muscle group or body part.
Here are the most popular EMS devices in the market today.
SHOP EMS DEVICES
EMS BOOTY TRAINER AT LE PEACH CLUB FOR $49
Le peach booty trainer stimulates your (booty) muscles for a low effort/ high intensity workout. Just 20 minutes a day get your bum in those perfect peachy curves.
SLENDERTONE ABS 8 TONING BELT AT AMAZON FOR $130
With 10 toning programs and 100 intensity levels, you can sculpt the midsection of your dreams in just 8 weeks. The SlenderTone ABs & Toning Belt is a comfy band designed specially for the abdominal muscles. Like with any EMS machine, the SlenderTone Belt mimics a workout by flexing your muscles very rapidly.
Out of the 10 programs, 7 are for passive use when you’re on the couch, in bed or lounging. Then when you’re doing any cardio activity or ab exercises, tap into the 3 active programs to amplify your results.
POWERDOT 2.0 DUO SMART MUSCLE STIMULATOR AT THERABODY FOR $349
More than just an EMS machine, the FDA-cleared THERABODY POWERDOT 2.0 DUO SMART MUSCLE STIMULATOR relieves pain, helps you get a faster recovery and unlocks better performance from your workouts.
The duo version has 2 pod devices for faster results when you target both sides of the muscle group or both sides of your body at once. This EMS machine also includes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) too. This sends little electrical pulses to the nerves to release pain-blocking chemicals. And that’s renowned for pain relief, especially for menstrual cramps.
Lastly, it’s pretty smart. The app-powered personalized treatments make sure that you place the pads in the right place to get the most from your 20 minutes, once or twice daily session.
TACTICAL-X ABS STIMULATOR AT SPINPAPER FOR $60
The L(A)B EMS Body Toning System tightens and tones your body with pre-programmed workouts for stubborn fat areas. Use the EMS toning technology that’s always non-invasive and pain-free to sculpt yourself across these 6 unique programs.
Relieve tension and tightness while you target problem areas on your tum, arms, thighs, bum and more. Overall, you can combine these fast and slow-twitch muscle movement stimulation sessions with any regular workouts you’re doing in the gym for even faster results.
TENSCARE PERFECT EMS & TENS UNIT AT CURRENT BODY FOR $69
The TensCare Perfect EMS & TENS Unit is a reasonably priced entry into the muscle toning and pain relief arena. With its easy-to-use digital display, quickly strengthen weakened muscles and get pain management where you need it most.
It’s easy to place the pads wherever you like on your body and the integrated treatment timer helps you use the EMS and TENS technology to full effect.
Just follow the program 1-2 times a day with effects that last up to 4 hours after using the EMS machine. It’s discrete and easy to add to your regular daily routine.
