Exploring the Benefits of Electrical Muscle Stimulation Workouts
This Celeb-Loved Workout Looks Bizarre—But Experts Say It Has Benefits
Image: Elle
Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) workouts, gaining popularity among celebrities like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chrissy Teigen, involve using electrodes to stimulate muscle contractions. While EMS can provide benefits such as reduced body weight and improved muscle activation, experts caution that traditional workouts may enhance brain coordination better than EMS. The workouts are short, typically lasting 20 minutes, and can be beneficial for those with limited mobility.
- 01EMS workouts use electrodes to stimulate muscle contractions, bypassing the brain and spinal cord.
- 02A study found that EMS participants showed reductions in BMI and body weight, but traditional resistance training yielded better strength improvements.
- 03Experts caution that EMS may not engage the brain's motor pathways as effectively as conventional workouts.
- 04EMS can be particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries or those who have not exercised in a long time.
- 05Certain populations, such as pregnant women or those with pacemakers, should avoid EMS workouts.
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Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) workouts are becoming increasingly popular, with celebrities like Sarah Michelle Gellar endorsing their benefits. EMS involves placing electrodes on muscles to induce contractions, effectively bypassing the brain. This method, initially used in physical therapy, can stimulate multiple muscle groups simultaneously, making workouts shorter—typically around 20 minutes. Reports suggest that EMS can lead to weight loss and reductions in body mass index (BMI), although traditional resistance training has been shown to produce better strength gains. Experts like Sarah Crawford, a physical therapist, express caution, noting that while EMS is not dangerous, it may not provide the same brain-muscle coordination benefits as conventional workouts. EMS can be particularly useful for those with limited mobility or those recovering from injuries. However, it is advised that pregnant women and individuals with pacemakers refrain from using EMS. Despite its growing popularity, the effectiveness of EMS remains a topic of debate among fitness professionals.
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EMS workouts may offer a new fitness option for individuals who struggle with traditional exercise methods, potentially improving their physical health.
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