Facts You May Need to Know About Electrical Muscle Stimulation Training
Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), also known as neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), has become the talk of the town. It has made its way into workouts but what makes it so popular? Let’s check if it is legit…
What is Electrical Muscle Stimulation?
Electrical Muscle Stimulation Training is the elicitation of muscle contraction using electric impulses and is receiving huge attention as it can be utilized as a strength tool. It could be used as a preventive and rehabilitation tool for people who are either partially or immobilized. It can also be used as a testing tool for evaluating neural and muscular function or as a post-exercise recovery tool for athletes.
Facts You Need to Know About EMS
- Imagine if you could reap the benefits of strength training without actually involving in some heavy workout. Isn’t it look like a dream but it’s not as an EMS workout provides electrical stimulation to recruit more muscle fibers. It increases the intensity of the workout while relaxing and loosening any tight spots.
- Instead of focusing on a specific body part as in physical therapy, an EMS workout includes targeting larger areas of the body via a vest, suit, or shorts. As you work out, the electrical impulses force your muscles to contract, resulting in more muscle involvement.
- Most EMS workouts are pretty short such as lasting only 15 minutes. It might sound simple like exercising for just a few minutes and you’re done. No, it’s no walk in the park as the pulse acts as resistance and whatever movement you’ll do will feel much harder, leaving you tired much faster.
- EMS workout training helps you call upon more muscle fibers but it doesn’t mean you should overdo it. By participating in an EMS workout training session, you’re getting a good workout by increasing muscle engagement.
- EMS mimics what your brain does when you start exercising - sending an electrical impulse to neurons in muscle fibers. It uses electrode pads to different parts of a muscle for sending a small electrical impulse that tells the muscle to contract.
- For the stimulation to be strong enough to activate muscles can be painful as feel like a cramp. It is painful at the spot where the electrode is placed and can be quite uncomfortable for beginners. Continuous training is the answer to all such problems as per EMS lovers.
- EMS can be done in either a controlled setting or by using over-the-counter products. But you should not do it alone if you’re a beginner as never use anything like electrical equipment without consulting a medical professional.
The Final Take
In simple words, electrical muscle stimulation or EMS is applying a current to muscles that trigger involuntary twitches. Though it has been used as physical therapy in rehabs or physiotherapy sessions to help repair spinal cord injuries and paralysis, it has now entered the fitness world. Today, a lot of fitness centers or gyms have been using EMS to help their clients burn hundreds of calories with basic movements, minimal effort, and minimal time.
Do you like the idea of adding tiny bursts of electricity to your exercise regime?