Molly Horne goes for a fully body workout using electrical muscle stimulation.
Healthy ice cream, free gym membership, getting fit whilst having a cuppa….only in a perfect world, right? We all know a washboard six pack doesn’t merely come from kicking back on the couch. But some help is at hand in the form of electrical muscle situation (EMS), currently only available up West, but set to show up soon in Canary Wharf.
EMS is electrical movement technology that uses impulse currents for a full body workout. To try it out, I paid a visit to the training centre in Knightsbridge run by EPulsive.
Giuseppe Di Leo, a personal trainer at EPulsive, told me that EMS is suitable for “athletes looking for more definition and improvements in their stamina, and for those who have insufficient time to visit a standard gym.”
Clients must wear a slightly dampened black cotton suit which conducts an electrical current through your muscles as your body moves through multiple exercises. Next, electrodes secured with velcro straps are attached to specific muscle groups secured. These are attached to a wire linked to a computer console. This machine can control, adjust and regulate the level and intensity of electrical stimulation operating on your muscles.
Giuseppe explained that EMS works “directly on the muscles, targeting those large muscle groups such as the mid back, lower back, glutes, hamstrings, quads, abdominals, pectorals, biceps, triceps, calves and shoulders.”
What is it like? Suited and booted in something like a child’s ninja outfit, the novelty of feeling like a fitness warrior started to wear off when I came face to face with the EMS machine. An LED screen showed digital bar graphs indicating various aspects of fitness and the levels of electrical stimulation used, with a line of progress moving within each rep of your exercise. This serves as a helpful guideline ensuring that you gain the maximum possible benefit.
“Twenty minutes of EMS training is the equivalent to three hours of conventional gym exercise,” Giuseppe insisted. He went on to explain that the session would be split into two halves – (1) metabolic, (2) resistance training – each of 10 minutes’ duration.
The metabolic session was made up of cardiovascular exercises including sprints, punches, squats, star jumps, crunches and the dreaded plank! The electrical current made a simple star jump seem challenging. I was amazed by the resistance involved in completing the exercises. My body felt pushed to its limits – I was sweating buckets after just 10 sit ups. While (sort of) enjoyable, it is definitely no walk in the park!
Time to move on to resistance training. Shyly trying to hide the unpleasant sweat angel left on the mat, I was ready for Round 2!
Giuseppe guided me through a series of slow lunges, squats and arm raises that builds the stability of your muscles whilst working out with the electrical current. Apparently, while conventional workouts engage 50% of all muscles, EMS training enables a whopping 98% muscle engagement!
As well as keeping the heart rate high in cardiovascular activity, low intensity exercise has a positive effect as it promotes circulation which aids in nutrient transfer and hastens recovery.
Giuseppe pointed out that EMS training works well at any time during the day. Full benefits and noticeable results can be seen after only four sessions. When asked about recovery, Giuseppe advised that “gentle walking and stretching throughout the day would help your muscles recover.”
EMS training has taken off among Olympic athletes such as Usain Bolt; and it has already proved attractive to Made in Chelsea stars Rosie Fortescue and Louise Thompson. EPositive plan to bring it to Canary Wharf within the next 12 months.
After my electronically enhanced hard work, it’s time to activate the tastebuds: bring on the ice cream!
