Everything you need to know about EMS-Training on one page. If you have any additional questions feel free to get in touch with an EMS operator near you!

Quick Reference:

• What is EMS-Training?
• How Does EMS-Training Work?
• EMS Device & Equipment
• Is EMS-Training Safe?
• EMS-Training and Covid-Safety
• EMS-Training is Personal Training
• How Much is an EMS-Session?
• How Often Can I Do EMS-Training?
• Can I Do EMS-Training at Home?
• Where can I try EMS-Training?
• Business Inquiries

What is EMS-Training?

EMS (electric muscle stimulation or electric myostimulation) is a highly effective form of training. It utilizes low and mid frequency electric currents to significantly increase the body’s natural muscle contractions. As a result more muscle fibres are activated when compared to conventional training methods.

EMS-Training is a whole body workout that promotes weight loss, increases physical strength, stimulates muscle growth, and relieves tensions and muscular imbalances. As a form of personal training the workout can be adapted to numerous individual training goals. For example, EMS personal training has been shown to significantly reduce back pain. In some cases, EMS clients have even reported a total alleviation of their (chronic) back problems all together. Due to the increase in both muscle tone and blood flow to neighbouring tissue, EMS may also have a beneficial impact on cellulite problems.

How Does EMS-Training Work? - Electric Muscle Stimulation Explained

Electric muscle stimulation training utilizes the body’s nervous system and activates muscle tissue through electric currents. These low or mid frequency impulses are completely harmless when applied properly. The goal is to bring the muscle to a state of total contraction. The key difference to conventional training methods is that the electric stimulation allows for more muscle fibres to be activated during training. In short, more of the muscle is put to work. The intensity of this effect can be controlled through regulation of the electric current itself and the performed exercises.

Whole body EMS-Training recruits all of the body’s large muscle groups and activates even deeper lying muscle tissues that are typically difficult to reach with traditional training methods, especially for beginners. EMS is highly effective. Studies have shown that it is almost 20 times more intense than conventional strength training methods such as high intensity weight training.

Though EMS as a whole body workout method is a new and innovative training method, its history has been well documented since the 1950s. Localized electric muscle stimulation has been used for decades in physical therapy to treat various chronic ailments and bring relief to countless patients.

The EMS Device and Equipment

As world wide market leader, the miha bodytec EMS system is widely acknowledged as the state of the art equipment when it comes to EMS-Training. It consists of a control unit that generates and regulates the electric impulses and a set of electrodes that are worn by the client. The electrodes are housed in a vest, a belt and two sets of straps depending on the targeted muscle group. Each muscle group is represented as a transmission channel on the control unit, allowing for individual intensities in the legs, glutes, lower back, lats, upper back, abdominals, pecs and arms. The electric impulses are transmitted via a cable that connects to the vest and distributes each channel to the respective muscles.

The cable provides a secure connection between device and client, and serves as a fail-safe for secure training. It also ensures that both trainer and client are always in the immediate vicinity of the control unit. Thus the trainer is always able to reach the dials in order to regulate the intensity of the impulses. In the event of an emergency, the cable also allows you to literally pull the plug and abort the session.

All the fabrics in use are high tech and possess antimicrobial properties. As part of miha bodytec’s hygiene concept each client is also outfitted with his or her very own set of functional compression wear (t-shirt and shorts). The functional wear is worn under the vest, belt and straps, so there is no direct skin contact. Unlike conventional compression clothes, it is designed to keep moisture on the skin to ensure optimal transmission of the electric currents.

Is EMS-Training Safe?

Generally speaking, the electric currents that you are exposed to are completely harmless! The neural mechanism behind EMS is the same as your body’s own. The only difference is that the electric signal that causes the muscle to contract is applied externally. However there are certain contraindications that need to be taken into account. We can separate these into two categories, absolute and relative contraindications:

If any of the following absolute contraindication applies to you, an EMS-Training session is not allowed.

• Acute diseases, disorders, bacterial infections, and inflammatory processes
• Recent surgeries
• Arteriosclerosis and other circulatory disorders
• Stents or bypasses in the past 6 months
• Untreated hypertension
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Pregnancy
• Electrical implants, pacemakers
• Cardiac Arrhythmia
• Tumors or cancer
• Bleeding disorders (Haemophilia)
• Motor Neuron Diseases, Neurological disorders (Epilepsy)
• Abdominal or inguinal hernia
• Acute influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants

If any of the following relative contraindications applies to you, you should visit your doctor for a written medical clearance.

• Acute back pain without diagnosis
• Neuralgia
• Spinal disc herniations
• Orthopedic implants
• Organ diseases, especially Kidney diseases
• Cardiovascular conditions
• Acute Motion Sickness
• Edema
• Open skin injuries, wounds, eczemas or burns
• Prescription medications

Prior to your first EMS-Training session a trainer will sit down with you and go through your medical history to see if any contraindications are present.

Since these are mostly very serious conditions on their own, a general common sense approach to working out is enough to ensure a safe EMS session.

EMS-Training and Covid-Safety

Since EMS-Training sessions are short, scheduled and can take place anywhere, it is easy to find Covid-19 safe ways to keep a regular workout routine. Socially distanced exercise is no problem and a strict hygiene protocol is easy to implement.

We have collected a number of reasons that make EMS Personal Training the perfect alternative to conventional gyms during the Pandemic. Check it out!

EMS-Training is Personal Training!

Taking all the previous paragraphs into consideration, it is absolutely crucial that an EMS-Training session takes place under the supervision of a trained professional. There should be no more than 2 trainees to each trainer. EMS-Training is personal training! Your trainer plays a crucial role in achieving your workout goals:

• Your personal trainer always has an eye on the intensity of the electric current.
• Your personal trainer instructs and directs the exercises performed.
• Your personal trainer keeps an eye on proper form and execution.
• Your personal trainer adapts the training plan to your individual goals.
• Your personal trainer is at your side to drive you and keep motivation high.
• Your personal trainer schedules your appointments and helps you develop a workout routine.

While the training method itself is a high tech approach to whole body training your EMS-Training will only ever be as good as the person who is giving your session. The EMS trainer is an intricate part of what makes EMS-Training successful. So successful, in fact, that over 70% of EMS clients state that they are finally achieving their goals.

How much is an EMS-Session?

Most EMS operators offer sessions for a fee between £40 and £120. Of course the price heavily depends on the level of additional services and whether you are training at a boutique gym or with a mobile Personal Trainer. To put it plainly: EMS is going to put a bigger dent in your wallet at the end of the month than a regular fitness club. However in order to determine the value of an EMS membership it is unwise to compare prices with regular gym memberships. Instead of looking at EMS as an expensive gym membership, look at it as affordable Personal Training.

How often can I do EMS-Training?

According to current expert opinions and the latest safety standards, you should not have more than one session during the first eight to ten weeks of training. After this adaptation period we recommend to keep at least four days in between EMS sessions. This will give you proper time to regenerate and further adapt to the impulses and protect you from overtraining.

When determining EMS recurrence, you should definitely pay attention to your current fitness level and overall well-being. It is also wise to make it very clear to yourself and your trainer whether you want EMS-Training to be your baseline workout or a complement to your regular fitness routine.

Keep in my mind that - as with any other sport - proper regeneration and avoiding a state of overtraining is key! Like any other conventional training method EMS falls under the supercompensation principle.

Can I do EMS-Training at Home?

If you can find an EMS Personal Trainer who offers home visits then, yes, you absolutely can enjoy a nice workout in your own home. We recommend this approach, as an EMS session is only ever as good as the person who gives it.

If you are thinking of buying your own at home system, you should always consider the fact that the success of EMS-Training stems mostly from the fact that you are in the care of a personal fitness coach. Without a trainer, an EMS device is just as likely to end up as an expensive coat rack as the home exercise bike that we all swore we just had to have.

As for ab stimulators, belts and any other gadgets that you can purchase nowadays, we can only hope that you will save your money for a more wholesome and holistic approach to improving your personal fitness.

Where can I try EMS-Training?

Most EMS operators in the UK are currently independent personal trainers and specialized boutique gyms. This means you can either visit a studio that is in your area or book a personal training session at home and have your trainer come to you.

Use the Location Finder to find Your EMS Personal Training

Business Inquiries

If you are a personal trainer, gym owner or simply curious about the business side of EMS-Training you can get in touch with the miha bodytec UK team in London. They are happy to get in touch with you and see about setting up a personal demo for you that includes a trial session.

©2020 EMS-TRAINING.COM Editorial Staff