| EMS, or Electrical Muscle Stimulation is a | | | | will cause people to lose fat and get in |
| type of fitness enhancement device that | | | | shape without a real exercise programs. While |
| involves using a low-level electric current | | | | EMS machines can in fact increase muscle |
| to cause muscles to contract, helping them | | | | tone, these claims are largely false. Because |
| improve in strength and appearance. | | | | EMS is a passive exercise, it doesn't burn |
| Electrical Muscle Stimulation originated in | | | | calories or fat. To lose weight, a person |
| Soviet Russia in the 1950's as a way of | | | | must commit to a more meaningful, |
| increasing athletes' physical strength and | | | | conventional exercise program. |
| muscle tone. Its creator was Dr. Y. Kots of | | | | |
| the Central Institute of Physical Culture in | | | | But, as many coaches and professional |
| the former USSR. Dr. Kots introduced | | | | trainers will attest, EMS does have its uses |
| Electrical Muscle Stimulation to the rest of | | | | and can help athletes reach their potential. |
| the world when he presented a paper about his | | | | People who do purchase and use EMS machines |
| discovery at Concordia University in | | | | might wonder how often they can use the |
| Montreal. There, he outlined the tremendous | | | | machines on the same muscle groups. Since EMS |
| potential for using Electrical Muscle | | | | involves using electrical current, people |
| Stimulation as strength enhancer. | | | | might be concerned about over-using it. |
| | | | |
| As early as the 1970s, EMS was used in the | | | | Most manufacturers of EMS machines recommend |
| United States, primarily as a means of | | | | using the machines on one muscle group at a |
| rehabilitating injured muscles. It was used | | | | time, alternating muscle groups every day. |
| in hospitals and rehabilitation clinics, but | | | | Some machines allow you to stimulate two |
| was fairly rare and unknown by the public. | | | | muscle groups at a time, which is fine as |
| EMS' effectiveness as a muscle builder | | | | long as they're not antagonistic muscle |
| (compared with conventional exercise) was as | | | | groups. Using EMS on antagonistic muscle |
| a source of debate, and is still being | | | | groups at the same time is highly dangerous |
| discussed today. Many researchers still doubt | | | | and should be avoided. |
| Electrical Muscle Stimulations' | | | | |
| effectiveness, especially when it is compared | | | | Because EMS machines use a very low level |
| to the claims used in marketing EMS to the | | | | electronic current, you don't have to worry |
| public. However, many researchers and fitness | | | | about over-using them and 'burning' your |
| professionals will attest to EMS' | | | | muscle. |
| effectiveness. | | | | |
| | | | If you decided to purchase an EMS system as a |
| Eventually, the use of EMS spread to pro | | | | supplement to your current workout program or |
| athletes, college sports teams, bodybuilders | | | | as a first step toward fitness, be sure |
| and fitness enthusiasts as a way of | | | | you're buying a quality product. Check |
| augmenting an exercise program. Currently, | | | | consumer literature; consult quality fitness |
| Electrical Muscle Stimulation machines are | | | | books, magazines and websites. If you can, |
| also marketed toward sedentary, non-athletes | | | | consult a fitness professional such as a |
| as way for them to exercise without moving - | | | | trainer, and have professional help as you |
| a source of much discussion and argument. | | | | move along your journey to your strongest |
| | | | physical self. |
| Many manufacturers claim that their machines | | | | |