EMS Training in Zurich – Is it worth it?

EMS training (also in Zurich) sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?

Fast, effective and not very sweaty and the pounds fall and the muscles grow. That’s why everyone is talking about EMS in Zurich, because training is strenuous per se. But modern technology is supposed to help with exactly that. An intelligent shortcut to the desired state.

In this blog post, I want to enlighten on the subject of EMS and show you whether it is suitable for you.

 

Brief overview:

• What is EMS training?
• How does EMS training work?
• What are the advantages of EMS training in Zurich?
• What are the disadvantages of EMS training?
• Can you lose belly fat with electro-myo-stimulation?
• How quickly do I see results with EMS?
• What do doctors say about EMS training?
• How much does EMS cost in Zurich?
• What are the alternatives to EMS training in Zurich?
• Which is better: EMS or personal training?

 

 

What is EMS training?

EMS stands for “Electro–Myo–Stimulation“. Myo means muscular. This makes it clear that the muscles are stimulated electrically. This means that through external electronic stimuli your muscles start to move.

Sounds ultra-modern, but it’s not quite.

This form of training has been used since the 1970s. Its roots lie in physiotherapy and rehabilitation after injuries such as torn muscle fibers, strains and other muscular complaints. Gradually, therefore, EMS also found application in professional sports to promote a faster return to sport.

For some years now, however, EMS has also become popular with the general public. Everywhere EMS Studios lure with fast successes for completely normal people.

But does this make any sense at all?

For this we must first look at how EMS works.

 

How does EMS training work?

As the name suggests, electrical stimuli are applied so that muscles contract. This works because that’s exactly how any movement works. Your brain sends small electrical signals to the muscle cells, which contract in response. This is how your joints and body then move.

EMS training uses external electrodes to simulate this mechanism. With 9 volts and between 50 and 90 milliamperes, the electrical signal causes the muscles to contract.

Depending on the resistance, you will find this movement easier or harder.

 

 

What are the advantages of EMS training in Zurich?

This already reveals an advantage:

Even with little external weight, for example dumbbells, strenuous movements are possible. The current resistance regulates the degree of exertion of the movement. This also puts less strain on the joints and the passive musculoskeletal system. For people who have joint problems, EMS can therefore be very useful.

Another advantage of EMS training is the protected atmosphere. EMS studios are much smaller and the training takes place in a private atmosphere. So you don’t have to go to a crowded gym in the evening, where you can smell the sweat in every corner.

The gradual adjustments possible make metered training possible. This is especially important in rehab to gradually strengthen the muscles again if an injury occurred.

Last but not least, EMS providers promise to make as much possible with only 20-25 minutes of training as with a classic workout in an hour. You’ve probably heard the advertising slogans, “Once a week for 20 minutes is enough.”

But, is that really true?

 

What are the disadvantages of EMS training?

There is still not enough literature in the scientific community about the effectiveness of EMS training. Many of the studies that are advertised are commissioned by manufacturers of EMS equipment. The result is then already known in advance.

This is also one of the reasons why ambitious athletes rarely or never use EMS: Compared to 50 years of scientific studies on strength training, endurance training, yoga, etc., there are mainly empirical values and little solid science.

EMS training is currently still in the “hype stage“. But that’s the way it is with hypes: they come quickly, are everywhere and disappear again. It remains to be seen whether EMS Training can establish itself in the long term.

 

Another disadvantage results from an advantage of EMS. Sounds confusing, doesn’t it?

As mentioned at the beginning, EMS training originates from physiotherapy. After injuries, it is important to build up the muscles in a way that is as easy on the joints as possible. This takes the load off the joints and the passive musculoskeletal system.

In healthy people, however, this means that the training effect is missing or minimal. In conventional training, both the active and the passive musculoskeletal system (bones, tendons, joints…) are trained. This does not create a functional imbalance.

What makes absolute sense in rehab is therefore rather counterproductive for the masses.

 

Furthermore, in EMS training often no holistic training takes place.

Movements that involve the whole body and promote strength, endurance, mobility and coordination in equal measure are difficult or impossible to perform with external electrodes.

However, it is precisely these movements that help you in everyday life. These movements involve the myofascial system and functionally strengthen the core and other large muscle areas. The interaction of these areas is extremely important in everyday life. This also helps against back pain.

 

 

For people with heart problems, external stimulation with electricity is also dangerous. Here, EMS should not be considered under any circumstances.

 

The effectiveness of EMS training is indeed difficult to judge.

Some swear by it, others notice nothing. It is as so often, empirical values. However, one reason why EMS achieves good results with beginners is simply that with untrained people, almost any physical activity brings improvements, sometimes violent. After that, however, constant new stimuli are needed to achieve improvements. With EMS training, however, there are not as many variation possibilities as with conventional training.

 

Last but not least, it should be mentioned that in conventional training, strength, endurance and flexibility can be integrated within one training session without any problems. With EMS training, the focus is clearly on strength. Endurance and flexibility in particular are neglected, which in turn are the areas that are already weak points in most exercisers anyway.

 

Can you lose belly fat with electro-myo-stimulation?

One of the most common desires is to specifically lose fat on the abdomen.

Can you do this with EMS training?

Here the clear answer is “no“.

 

Even external electrodes on the abdomen do not cause the body to specifically lose fat there. Like no other training, it is not possible to lose fat specifically in one part of the body.

 

What counts in weight loss is solely the calorie balance. So what do you eat and what do you burn.

If this balance is negative, the body breaks down fat. However, this never takes place specifically in one place. Rather, the body takes the fat from the reserves that it has formed everywhere. So often belly, hips, buttocks and legs. Where it loses fat first is largely genetically determined. But for most, the belly fat melts last.

 

How quickly do you see results with electric training?

It depends on the training status.

For beginners, it can happen within a few weeks. For advanced users it takes longer.

When losing weight, as mentioned, the calorie balance is the deciding factor. But if you only do 20 minutes of EMS training once a week, this calorie balance does not really change significantly. Significantly more calories are then burned with, for example, two training sessions of 60 minutes or several functional units with the body weight.

 

What do doctors say about EMS training?

In fact, there are some voices in medicine that warn against EMS training. Due to the current, there is a significantly higher load on the kidney. The creatine kinase level is up to 18 times higher than with conventional training (article in german).

For this reason, doctors advise that EMS should only be performed under the supervision of sports medicine or physiotherapy specialists and not in commercial “low-cost” studios.

In addition, there are risks associated with existing cardiovascular diseases.

EMS is therefore not a quick and carefree solution for everyone (article in german).

 

 

How much does EMS cost in Zurich?

This is where the providers of EMS training in Zurich entice their clientele.

With prices ranging from CHF 70 to CHF 100 for just one short training session a week, the incentive is great.

However, anyone who knows about the mechanisms of action and proven (and unproven) results can easily start to doubt whether the price is not misleading here.

 

What are the alternatives to EMS training in Zurich?

Whether you’re looking to lose weight, build muscle or balance out your daily routine, there are clearly better alternatives in Zurich.

 

Training in the gym can point to decades of success. With the help of a good trainer you can get an individual training plan for your goals. Good studios are characterized by outstanding staff who are always available to answer your questions.

 

Personal training is the ideal solution for most people.

Individual attention in every lesson and constant new challenges lead the fastest and safest to the desired goal.

In my holistic personal training I also emphasize that not only strength, but also flexibility, endurance and posture always improve in step. Through my holistic approach, I have been able to lead numerous clients to success over the past years – regardless of their training condition.

We conduct a detailed anamnesis to discover strengths and weaknesses and then train in a protected atmosphere.

 

Another option is my boot camp in Zurich.

There we train together with other motivated people in an energetic and positive atmosphere for several weeks as a fixed group. You can’t imagine what a great spirit is created in the group. Everyone pushes each other to the top.

 

 

 

Which is better: EMS or personal training?

If you have suffered an acute muscular injury, EMS training in Zurich can be a sensible option. However, I recommend that you keep your eyes open for physiotherapy. There, the staff is trained exactly for such areas of application.

Even if you want to train in a short time and you don’t care about studies, you can make a sensible decision with EMS.

 

If you want to achieve your goals sustainably, healthily and on a scientific basis, I advise you to use personal training.

A good trainer will pay close attention to your initial situation, previous injuries/illnesses, your available time and your training preferences.

This kind of intensive support is clearly superior to training concepts based on “fit in 20 minutes”.

Otherwise, I also look forward to seeing you at the next bootcamp.

 

I’m happy if you want to put your goals into action with me.

Contact me and we will find exactly the right way for you.

 

Your Jimmy Outlaw