Differences between EMS and other fitness technologies
In today’s ever-evolving fitness industry, new technologies are constantly emerging, promising to revolutionize the way we exercise and achieve our fitness goals. Among these technologies is whole-body electrical muscle stimulation (WB-EMS), a cutting-edge approach that has gained significant attention. However, it’s essential to consider how WB-EMS stacks up against other fitness technologies in order to make an informed decision about which approach may be right for you. In this article, we’ll compare WB-EMS to other popular fitness technologies, shedding light on their similarities, differences, and potential benefits.
WB-EMS vs. Vibration Platforms
Vibration platforms have gained popularity for their claimed ability to enhance muscle strength and flexibility. These platforms vibrate at various frequencies, causing your muscles to contract and relax rapidly. While both WB-EMS and vibration platforms stimulate muscle contractions, they differ in their mechanisms. WB-EMS uses electrical impulses to directly activate muscles, while vibration platforms rely on mechanical stimulation. WB-EMS offers a more targeted approach, allowing for precise control of intensity and selection of specific muscle groups to engage.
WB-EMS vs. Electrostimulation Belts
Electrostimulation belts, also known as ab belts or toning belts, use electrical currents to stimulate muscles, primarily targeting the abdominal region. While they share the use of electrical stimulation with WB-EMS, there are significant differences. Electrostimulation belts tend to focus on specific muscle groups, such as the abs, while WB-EMS can engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Moreover, WB-EMS offers more flexibility and versatility, allowing for a full-body workout. Many of these belts are marketed as “passive exercise” where you don’t have to move. My understanding is that this can be useful in certain situations to avoid atrophy, but it won’t have a lot of carry-over effect on overall strength.
WB-EMS vs. Nautilus Super Slow workout (aka “The Perfect Workout”)
Another popular fitness approach is the Nautilus Super Slow workout, which focuses on performing resistance exercises with an extremely slow and controlled movement tempo. While the Nautilus Super Slow workout emphasizes the importance of time under tension and muscle failure, WB-EMS takes a different approach. WB-EMS combines electrical muscle stimulation with physical exercise, providing an additional stimulus to activate and engage the muscles. The electrical impulses in WB-EMS can enhance muscle contractions, potentially leading to increased strength and muscle growth. Additionally, WB-EMS allows for a more efficient full-body workout by simultaneously targeting multiple muscle groups, while the Nautilus Super Slow workout typically involves performing isolated exercises one muscle group at a time. Both approaches have their unique benefits, and choosing between them may depend on individual preferences, goals, and available resources.
WB-EMS vs. Wearable Fitness Trackers
This one is kind of obvious, but we often get asked if we can see how strong certain muscles are, or the quality of the contractions, and so on. We cannot. For now, no EMS equipment manufacturer has these capabilities. Some offer heart rate monitoring or ECG visualization, but you can get this data from a wearable tracker. Wearable fitness trackers, such as smartwatches or fitness bands, have become ubiquitous in recent years. These devices monitor various parameters like heart rate, steps taken, and calories burned, providing valuable insights into your overall activity level. While they excel in tracking and monitoring, wearable fitness trackers do not directly stimulate muscle contractions as WB-EMS does. They serve different purposes, with wearables focusing on data collection and analysis, while WB-EMS concentrates on enhancing muscle activation and strength. Maybe one day EMS suits will be able to track some data to help guide the workout.
WB-EMS vs. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
We talked about combining EMS fitness with HIIT in a previous blog.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has gained popularity for its time-efficient and intense workouts. HIIT involves alternating between short bursts of intense exercise and brief recovery periods. While both WB-EMS and HIIT can offer efficient workouts, they differ in their approaches. HIIT primarily relies on cardiovascular and strength exercises performed with body weight or external resistance, while WB-EMS combines electrical stimulation with physical exercise. Incorporating WB-EMS into HIIT workouts can potentially enhance muscle activation and increase the intensity of the training.
YES AND…
Although I used “vs” for each differentiation, in every single case, the technologies are not in opposition. You can effectively wear an EMS suit and do a HIIT workout, wear a smartwatch, and jump on a Nautilus leg press machine for a super slow set. Many Pilates studios are starting to incorporate EMS suits into their Reformer classes.
EMS fitness can be a substitute for resistance training and cardio workouts, and it can also be an addition to your favorite exercise modality.
WB-EMS offers a unique and targeted approach to exercise and muscle stimulation. While other fitness technologies like vibration platforms, electrostimulation belts, wearable fitness trackers, and HIIT workouts have their own merits, WB-EMS provides a comprehensive and customizable solution that engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously. By understanding the similarities and differences between these technologies, you can make an informed decision about which approach aligns best with your fitness goals and preferences. Remember, finding the right fitness routine is about exploring different options, staying consistent, and listening to your body’s needs.
If you are interested in learning more about EMS book a free consultation with me here: https://calendly.com/conradfitness/30min
Conrad
Director of Education and Technology
Bodybuzz
Bodybuzz combines Certified Personal Training with Electrical Muscle Stimulation, giving your body a deeper, safer, and more effective workout. 20 minutes twice a week is all it takes!
Our personal trainers will guide you through a custom EMS workout designed specifically for you. Whether you’re looking to build strength, lose weight, get toned, or recover from an injury or illness, we offer a safe, low-impact solution to help get you there.
EMS has now been FDA-cleared for use in the US and we are proud to be one of the first companies to introduce this technology. It is a full-body workout that uses a special muscle stimulating suit that sends low-level impulses to your major muscle groups to trigger muscle contractions. It’s a unique sensation that is painless and invigorating. EMS workouts are designed to achieve optimal conditioning, burn fat, develop strength, build muscle, tighten skin, combat cellulite, jump-start your metabolism and restore your body’s natural balance.