ELECTRODE MUSCLE STIMULATION TRAINING
Find out why celebs like Madonna, Heidi Klum and Elizabeth Hurley get a buzz (literally!) from this new exercise trend
What would you say if you could get the benefits of a 90-minute training session in just 20 minutes?
It sounds too good to be true, but it’s the new reality in the exercise world, thanks to electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Damien Bain of Sydney-based studio 20Perfit explains EMS “imitates the natural action of the central nervous system, sending electrical impulses to contract deep muscle fibres”.
Essentially, it stimulates up to 90 per cent of your muscle fibres, which helps build muscle faster than traditional workouts. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolic rate while training and at rest, which burns fat.
To get the benefits, you wear what looks like a wetsuit while you train, which has electrode pads that target main muscle groups, such as your back, abs, glutes, quads, chest and arms.
Unlike other EMS studios that require you to put on the suit wet (to encourage the power of the electrodes) and connect wires from it to a machine, 20Perfit provides a dry, 100 per cent wireless suit.
DOES EMS HURT?
Rest assured, exercising while being buzzed by electrodes comes with zero pain. In fact, it’s gentle and safe on joints, and has a low risk of injury.
“It starts as more of a ticklish feeling and then feels like a muscle contraction,” says Damien. “The intensity can be controlled on each single part of the suit by the trainer upon the client’s request.”
HOW WILL I FEEL AFTERWARDS?
Like with other workouts, you may experience muscle soreness or delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) 24 to 48 hours later. “To combat that, make sure you stretch and drink lots of water,” says Damien.
Because of the power of the suit itself, the workout is mainly simple bodyweight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups and crunches. Of course your EMS trainer will personalise the workout to your needs.
“[You’ll need a] 20 minute workout, twice a week,” says Damien. “And you need to wait 48 hours between sessions for muscle recovery.”
Sessions are $75-$90 each depending on the provider. There are some cases where medical clearance may be required, and you can’t take part if you’re pregnant.
Visit 20perfit.com.au for more information.