EMS Fitness

EMS stands for Electro-Muscle Stimulation. This means that the skeletal muscles are contracting through the effect of low-frequency electric impulses (they do not affect smooth muscles such as major organs). It is no different to conventional training or daily activities, where the muscles are contracted and controlled by electrical signals sent by the Central Nervous System (CNS) however EMS training mimics what your brain normally does but at a higher rate, making it more efficient. The agonist, antagonist and deeper-lying muscles are all simultaneously stimulated. As result users are able to gently and effectively train both specific muscle groups as well as their whole body.

With effective EMS training, you will feel results after just a few weeks for which classic strength training requires many hours of training! Regular EMS training promotes general muscle building and improves posture, general fitness, speed and endurance. Targeted strengthening of the back muscles and the reduction of weight as well as shaping and toning problematic zones is possible as well. The advantage of the EMS method is that all muscle groups in the back are addressed at the same time. Even the deep muscles, which are difficult to activate during conventional training, are reached.

EMS training has no known side effects. EMS training based on low frequency pulses that do not harm the body. The body needs electrical impulses from our central nervous system, which leads to muscle contraction. EMS technology mimics this natural operation more intensely and efficiently.

Your muscles experience in EMS training a much more intensive training stimulus. You get a full-body workout through the simultaneous tensioning of all major muscle groups and the stabilizing muscles which are hard to reach with classic methods.  Your body is worked against higher intensity and tires quicker, thus only needing 20 minutes of workout time. Additionally, EMS training targets the whole body at once due to the electrode placement on the EMS gear.

Because the speed and strength of training is so intense, your body also needs a proportionate and appropriate recovery. If you train too often, you cause an overtraining of the body that does not bring the same results. A day or two breaks between workouts is therefore best suited for the best results.

Gradually throughout the day, your muscles may begin to feel fatigued and heavy, which is when it is important to remain hydrated and eat nutritious food to help replenish the muscles. Delayed onset of muscle soreness is generally felt 24 hours after the training session and can remain for 48-72 hours.

During this time, it is beneficial to gently stretch any tight areas and keep up light activity to keep the blood flowing to these muscles.

Yes, the training is safe. Electro Muscle Stimulation is not a new trend, as it has been used since the 1960’s in rehabilitation and over years by physios, osteopaths and many other different health professionals. 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. Organs and the heart are not reached. However, there are certain contraindications that need to be taken into account. We can separate these into two categories, absolute and relative contraindications:

• Recent surgeries
• Acute diseases, disorders, bacterial infections, and inflammatory processes
• 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

• 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

There are no age restrictions. EMS training is low impact (easy on the joints) and each muscle group can be separately targeted, that means you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from its scientific effectiveness. No matter your fitness level or body shape you can achieve visible results in firming and toning your body in a short period of time even if you have not been physically active for years. However, certain medical conditions are known to be contraindications and EMS training is not recommended.

When booking your first EMS training session, you’ll fill in a health questionnaire that will help to ensure that we provide the best level of care should you have any medical condition which could be affected by EMS training.

That can depend on the frequency of training sessions, lifestyle, diet etc. However, you will feel a difference in your energy straight after your first EMS training session. Normally you will feel some muscle stiffness a couple of days afterwards. However, within 4-6 weeks you will feel stronger and leaner as your muscles build and your body firms and tones.

Yes, in fact, many famous professional athletes use EMS alongside their sports-specific training. As EMS training enables very deep muscular contractions, this helps build a strong foundation of strength that can then be used in other forms of exercise. EMS training allows for sports-specific movements which will additionally help any athlete in training for their particular sport. Please give yourself 72 hours between each EMS session especially during the first few weeks to allow for muscular soreness while your body/ muscles adapt.

We recommend doing 2 to maximum 3 sessions (mix of cardio and strength workout) per week due to the high-intensity nature of the training. Allow for 2 days of rest between each EMS session.

Yes. To maintain and increase strength in your muscles, you should have a regular workout routine. If you do not work out over an extended period of time, the muscles will be reduced to the original status (scientifically known as atrophy). EMS can be your only form of exercise or you can add it to your sports routine to improve strength, power and improve fitness all in one. The longer you do it, the more beneficial for you!

EMS training has been part of an extensive amount of academic research to validate its effectiveness so you can expect considerable improvements in the following areas:

• Maximum strength
• Hypertrophy (muscle growth)
• Strength endurance
• Speed, responsiveness, and agility
• Body firming and toning
• Improvement in muscular imbalances (e.g. better posture, back pain relief)

We provide you with personal trainers that are experienced professionals and highly trained in EMS-specific fitness techniques. All of our trainers will be qualified and educated fully in EMS techniques, will be aware of the latest technical developments in the field of EMS and have used the most effective bodytec equipment before they get to work with any of our clients.

Absolutely nothing! At your first EMS workout we will provide you with the specially designed undergarment that is required for each session. When you sign up for more EMS sessions with Bodytec you can purchase your own set or use our laundry service that provides a set of undergarments and a towel for each session. You can wear clean trainers or sticky socks if you prefer.

Yes. Each EMS training session can accommodate two people. You can choose to train with a family member or friend, we will never couple you with a stranger, which makes this more fun and challenging workout.

The advantage of EMS lies in the enormous stimulation of the fast-twitching muscle fibers, which are particularly involved in building muscles and generating strength. In classic strength training, these are only included towards the end of a set, which correspondingly high intensities. This creates great stress on joints and ligaments that does not occur during EMS training due to the lack of additional stress.

Our members receive a regular body analysis on our InBody analysis device. This allows us to see the body composition from the beginning to specifically address problematic regions. In the long term, the successes that we can achieve together will also become visible.