Does EMS training really do anything? Scientific studies on EMS
EMS training seems to be one of the new trends in the fitness industry. More and more people are opting for this method of training, which at first seems exotic.
And rightly so, because the advantages are convincing. Results are said to be noticeable after only a short time and EMS training is considered a sustainable and fast method to bring physical health and one's own journey to feeling good in one's own body to a completely new level.
For many, it is the solution they have been looking for. Because it provides a new form of movement and fitness in everyday life. Nevertheless, there is also a little scepticism.
Does EMS training really work? And does it actually deliver what it promises?
To find out, there are now some studies that have tested the effect of EMS and the efficiency of the training in detail. In this way, you can also find out whether EMS training is the right choice for you and what you can really expect from it.
What is EMS Training?
EMS is a training method that says you don't have to be active every day to see results. Rather, you only need 25 minutes a week and can use the trainers up to twice a week.
This is supposed to be a good starting point for more motivation and this is where EMS training comes in.
A study from Germany shows that the number of people training with EMS has increased significantly and even some athletes and sportsmen want to test the training method and experience the results for themselves.
The result? The number of EMS studios in Germany has risen sharply and for more and more, EMS training through Bodify EMS for the home is finally within reach.
In order to understand whether EMS training really brings results, you first have to know the background of the fitness method.
What happens to the body when you do EMS training?
Simply put, a finely tuned electrical impulse is sent to the muscle, which then asks it to contract. This feels a little like a vibration, but it is nothing like a shock.
The result is that the muscles gain muscle mass, which leads to an increase in strength and muscle power.
First studies with experienced athletes
EMS has also shifted from the medical and rehabilitation environment to elite sport.
This almost testifies to the effect of the method on its own.
But that's not all, because in support of one of the studies of EMS training, athletes like Usain Bolt have now also tested the fitness method.
FC Bayern Munich has also recognised the effects the technology can have on performance, strength and speed as part of a study conducted by the German Sports Association.
This very same study has now shown clear improvement on a variety of measures in professional athletes, including a 4.8 per cent improvement in ice hockey players' 10m sprint time.
EMS training has also been tested internally in the sport of swimming. In freestyle swimming after EMS training, an improvement of 1.3 percent in 25 m time was visible.
It is precisely these studies that are beneficial for EMS training. By testing experienced athletes, you can see exactly whether the method is effective or not.
The honest opinion of experts clearly proves the promise of EMS training.
What do the detailed studies say?
Due to the ever-increasing popularity of EMS training, universities and other institutes have now also started testing the new training method.
For example, the Institute for Medical Physics at the University of Erlangen. In this study, the experts from Franconia examined EMS training in detail and evaluated the technique.
The main focus was on how well the training can really build up and strengthen the muscles.
The head of the study from Erlangen emphasises how surprising the results were.
The strength of the muscles could be increased by 30 percent in only 12 weeks through EMS training. The muscles were clearly stimulated by the electrical impulses and were much more active after the test phase than before.
In Erlangen, however, it was not only about the pure test of EMS training itself, but also about the comparison with other sports exercises. A topic that could also be very interesting for you. After all, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether EMS training is more effective than conventional training.
This refers to a workout in the gym, for example. To find out, EMS training was compared with a classic HIIT workout and tested separately.
Over several weeks, one group did 30 minutes of EMS per week and another group did one hour of HIIT per week. The results were surprising: both training methods produced significant improvements in muscle strength.
10.5 per cent for HIIT and 12 per cent for EMS - so it is clear that EMS training comes out on top here. However, the University of Erlangen emphasises that although EMS is more effective faster than conventional training methods, it is still possible to achieve the goal with one workout.
EMS thus has advantages that are tempting.
The University of Bayreuth has also participated in studies on EMS training. The university already conducted a trial in 2002 in which 49 people with back pain completed 10 applications of whole-body electrical muscle stimulation.
The result was a clear reduction of complaints in 88.7 % of the users. A very strong reduction of pain was felt in 38 % and a slight reduction in 41.9 %.
This proved early on that EMS training is a suitable solution, especially for health complaints. For this reason, EMS training also found its place in the field of physiotherapy early on.
Another study of EMS training at the University of Bayreuth deals with the comparison of EMS training. Is the method effective? How is EMS training received?
The effects of whole-body electrical muscle stimulation were compared with a control group of 10 people.
The results clearly showed that EMS training increased muscle strength by 12.2%. At the end of the test phase, strength endurance also increased by 69.3 %. Another result was the reduction in body circumference.
Just an empty promise?
The focus of this article is, among other things, the statement that the short training sessions per week are all that people need to do to improve their health. Is that really the case? And what is actually behind this?
The studies conducted for EMS training testify that short units are indeed enough to ensure noticeable results. For the body, it is best to focus on EMS training twice a week to get the most out of the training.
So EMS brings stronger muscle power and helps increase strength and overall fitness.
Nevertheless, there are also limitations. Because while the technology can help with weight loss and building muscle and strength, there are still some limitations. For example, EMS training cannot improve coordination or optimise endurance. It is therefore best to combine the training with other exercises and develop a comprehensive programme.
Also, cardiovascular problems are better addressed with a normal workout. So EMS training has limitations, just like any workout routine.
And this is perhaps the point that characterises EMS training so strongly. EMS is not just for elite athletes and the highly motivated who want to use it to improve their performance.
EMS appeals to everyone.
The training, with its quick and comparatively painless results, appeals to you when other types of activities do not. This arguably makes it a good starting point for those who haven't yet joined a gym and don't plan to.
If you want to try a new type of exercise and find out what is right for your body, EMS training is definitely a good choice.
For many it is an opportunity to discover the sport for themselves. EMS training with Bodify is your way to train effectively from home . EMS expands the concept of fitness and sport and is therefore something that you should also try. Because one thing is clear: it keeps what it promises.