Power Up Your Muscles
EMS training can boost muscle growth, strength and even metabolism, all in 20 mins.
Hello from London! My travel journey went something like this: a 10-hour transcontinental flight followed by several long walks to reach my final destination—12 minutes to the gate, 15 minutes to immigration, 10 minutes to the train, and many sets of stairs to my flat. I completed this relay carrying a 45-pound wheeled suitcase (which I lifted overhead twice) and a 15-pound tote, all without any issues.
I’m happy to have this strength and stamina now but will I be able to keep this up for the next 20 years? As we’re all losing muscle mass at a rate of 3-5% per decade, there will inevitably come a time when our capacity diminishes unless we do something about it NOW.
This summer I discovered a biohack to stay strong called Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) training. It’s a tough workout that accelerates muscle growth, strength, and endurance, but takes only 20 minutes a week. My friend Ben says I’m cheating, but I see it as leveling the playing field since my declining hormones are making me weaker, more anabolic resistant and less insulin sensitive.
What is EMS?
EMS is a fitness method that uses low-frequency electrical impulses to activate your muscles. This technology mimics the natural process of muscle contraction by sending signals through electrodes placed on your body, which causes your muscles to contract more intensely than they would during regular exercise.
How Does it Feel?
It’s strange. You wear a vest as well as straps over your butt, thighs and biceps that are dampened with water and connected to electrodes. It starts off as a gentle buzz and then cycles through intense vibration. Even the most simple exercises like a squat or an oblique twist feels like you are moving through quicksand. But, did I mention how FAST you get to muscle fatigue? All you need to do is focus on simple movements and good form for four seconds at a time.
What’s the Result?
EMS is a highly efficient lower-impact alternative to traditional strength training that targets multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Because the electrical impulses are directly stimulating the muscles, you can engage up to 90% of your muscle fibers during a workout, compared to about 50% in conventional training. A 20-minute EMS session can be equivalent to over an hour of weight lifting, with less risk of injury.
Personally I’ve always had a hard time recruiting my lower ab muscles. Working with Bridget at EMS Fix for a month has really strengthened my core without any lower back discomfort. I can already see more muscle definition in my upper arms and abs as well as less belly fat. You are definitely a little sore the first few times but in a good way!
Who Benefits?
As an effective accelerator of muscle growth with some proven results for improvements in bone density, EMS is a strong option for menopausal women but it’s appropriate for anyone who wants to optimize their workouts. Athletes have been using this technology to boost performance and support recovery for decades but it just became more mainstream in the past few years.
Additionally, EMS improves metabolic health1. It can indirectly boost mitochondrial activity in muscles. The contractions induced by EMS increase energy demand, leading to enhanced ATP production. More mitochondria improves the muscle’s endurance and ability to dispose of glucose to regulate blood sugar.
If in LA, you can reach out to EMS Fix or find a licensed EMS trainer in your city with this directory. Prices will vary but range between $135-$150 for private sessions.
For those who want to own their suit and work out via streaming tutorials, try Katalyst which will set you back $2499 plus $49/month for videos.
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All writing is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The lower impact aspect definitely peaks my interest. I haven’t don’t this but im going to try
I’ve been doing EMS for four years, both as a trainer and a trainee, and it’s been incredible for strengthening my body. I love that it’s accessible to all fitness levels and a perfect supplement to maintaining a healthy, fit lifestyle. EMS has truly been a game-changer for me!