EMS Training and Where It Fits in the Fitness Multiverse.
A common question about EMS training fitness is: What does it equate to when comparing it to conventional training?
A short clarification, EMS fitness can be a stand-alone exercise modality, supplemental, or complementary.
As a stand-alone modality, EMS workouts are mainly equivalent to resistance training. The effects of a 20-minute session are comparable to lifting weights for an hour to 90 minutes. You can read more about why EMS fitness shines in getting people stronger in our previous blog “getting stronger faster”.
With the right frequencies, the stimulation will help fire more muscle fibers as you exercise just as if you were holding a heavy dumbbell.
That said, you can also use electrical muscle stimulation superimposed on most cardiovascular activities such as boxing, running, jumping rope, uphill walking, and so on, for a greater energy expenditure than performing that same activity without EMS.
EMS fitness as supplemental exercise is great if you’re training for a race, such as a marathon, triathlon, obstacle course (Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, and so on), or alongside any sports training (basketball, soccer, volleyball, surfing, hiking, etc.). EMS workouts are short and effective at getting you stronger so you can focus more time on your main activity while not neglecting resistance training. In my experience, most runners I’ve met LOVE to run but are hard to get into the gym to lift weights to get stronger and prevent injuries.
EMS fitness as complemental exercise is great for people training for weightlifting and bodybuilding competitions. When training for competitions where the main preparation is lifting weights, EMS workouts can come in handy to elicit activation from muscles that need a bit more attention such as the glutes or lats. The stimulation can deepen the contraction of the main muscle you’re working on, or it can be used on synergistic muscles for a better all-around lift.
Also, if you happen to be experiencing aches and pains or mending an injury, electrical muscle stimulation can help with recovering directly and indirectly by getting you stronger without needing to move the joint at its full range of motion.
This is in fact how electrical muscle stimulation first started, as a direct treatment for injuries. However, if you are preparing for a bodybuilding or weightlifting competition, injuring a joint could set you back. EMS workouts would allow you to maintain, and even increase strength in the muscles surrounding the injured joint even if you can’t move it, decreasing, and even eliminating the setback.
If you feel something is lacking in your training, and are wondering if EMS fitness can help you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email: conrad@bodybuzzfit.com or by booking a 30-min call with me here.
Conrad
Director of Education and Technology
conrad@bodybuzzfit.com
Bodybuzz
Bodybuzz combines Certified Personal Training with Electrical Muscle Stimulation, giving your body a deeper, safer, and more effective workout. 20 minutes twice a week is all it takes!
Our personal trainers will guide you through a custom EMS Workout designed specifically for you. Whether you’re looking to build strength, lose weight, get toned, or recover from an injury or illness, we offer a safe, low-impact solution to help get you there.
EMS has now been FDA-cleared for use in the US and we are proud to be one of the first companies to introduce this technology. It is a full-body workout that uses a special muscle stimulating suit that sends low-level impulses to your major muscle groups to trigger muscle contractions. It’s a unique sensation that is painless and invigorating. EMS workouts are designed to achieve optimal conditioning, burn fat, develop strength, build muscle, tighten skin, combat cellulite, jump-start your metabolism and restore your body’s natural balance.