Does Electrostimulation Work for Weight Loss?

Does Electrostimulation Work for Weight Loss?

     Lose weight and build muscle effectively in just 20 minutes a week? This is exactly what electrostimulation or ESM training promises. In this article, we will tell you if this method is really effective.

What is electrostimulation used for?

     Electro-stimulation is defined as muscular electrostimulation training (EMS).

     This method consists of stimulating most of your muscles with electrical impulses while you perform different exercises using your body weight.

     It is therefore often considered to be an extremely effective whole-body workout. Among other things, electrostimulation can eliminate fat, build muscle mass, firm the skin, and minimize back pain.

     In order to be successful in the long term, you can't rely only on the training.

     After all, diet also plays an important role. In order to be able to surpass yourself during your workouts, we recommend that you start our free Body Check.

     It will immediately provide you with nutritional advice and product recommendations from our experts - all tailored to your goals.

Do electronic muscle stimulators really work?

     During physical exertion, electronic impulses stimulate your brain so that it tells your muscles to contract.

     The electrical impulses from the EMS device reinforce the muscle contraction from the outside without your brain needing to send a signal.

     This makes the muscles contract more intensely. In the long term, this not only strengthens the muscles but also exercises and strengthens the deep muscles.

     The electrical impulses are emitted from a specific functional garment. The electrodes that ensure the electrical transmission are often attached to a vest that you will have put on beforehand.

     To improve conductivity, you will first be sprayed with water. An electrostimulation session alternates between phases with impulses and without impulses.


     Muscle electrostimulation was originally developed for physiotherapy: electrical currents are used to specifically train the muscles of patients who are unable to train actively on their own.
     
     Frequent contraction and relaxation of the muscle fibers allow them to strengthen, regardless of the method used (physical effort or electrostimulation).

     This practice no longer needs to be proven in short-term rehabilitation.

How long should you use electrical muscle stimulation?

     The exact course of an electrostimulation session differs from one center to another. But generally speaking, all sessions are very similar.

     You start by making an appointment, either on the spot or by phone, to do a trial session. During the first session, a qualified trainer will report on your current physical condition.

     Together you define your goals and start the first training session.

     In contrast to conventional gyms, you are always accompanied by a personal trainer who checks and corrects your posture. This allows you to get systematic feedback and to progress more quickly.

The electrostimulation experience

     As with all forms of training, each experience is different and also depends on your initial physical condition.

     In order to get the best possible idea, we always recommend that you do a long-term test. Studies have shown the various advantages and disadvantages of electrostimulation.

The advantages of electrostimulation

     Electrostimulation would, first of all, allow you to strengthen your muscles as effectively as possible.

     According to the centers offering electrostimulation, it works the deep muscles even more effectively than traditional bodybuilding.


     Each muscle group can be stimulated in a targeted manner using the various electrodes. You can even work both agonists and antagonists.

     This makes the training incredibly effective, regardless of the area you want to work on (chest, abs, back, arms, legs, or buttocks). You work all these muscles with highly targeted static and dynamic exercises.

The afterburn effect

     First of all, electrostimulation promotes muscle development. And who says more muscle also says more calories burned, which helps to lose weight.

     In addition, the muscles remain active for several hours after the workout. Like high-intensity interval training, electrostimulation also promotes the afterburn effect.

     Electro-stimulation is extremely stressful and requires maximum power and concentration. Focusing all your attention to the different exercises allows you to get the most out of your training.

Disadvantages of electrostimulation

     Electrostimulation does not damage the joints. This argument is very often used in advertising.

     But the problem is that this practice does not stress the joints, which therefore remain vulnerable. This is because, without regular physical effort, the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage, all three of which are important for the joints, are not strengthened.


     Another disadvantage is that muscular electrostimulation only works your strength. This means that you can't improve your endurance or coordination.

     But to be able to perform well, you also need to have a good basic level of stamina. In addition, better coordination will help you improve the efficiency of your movements. 

     That's why it's a good idea to use electro-stimulation in addition to your regular strength training, HIIT, Tabata, circuit training, or running.

Is electrostimulation dangerous?

     Electrostimulation is not recommended for people in the following risk groups:

• People with a pacemaker
• People with Cardiovascular Disease
• Individuals at high risk of thrombosis
• People with epilepsy
• People with cancer
• People with multiple sclerosis
• People with spasticity
• People with implants
• People with skin problems
• People with sensitivity disorders
• People with colds and fever
• Pregnant women

     There is nothing to prevent the practice of electrostimulation for healthy people. However, we still recommend that you discuss this with your doctor before your first session. Indeed, electrostimulation can cause side effects even in healthy people, including the following:

* Headaches

* Nausea

* Traffic problems

* Increased risk of congestion

* Severe muscle pain

* Joints at greater risk of injury

The basic principles of electrostimulation

     The principles to be respected for electrostimulation are the same as for any normal training. Make sure you stay well hydrated because the session makes you sweat and lose water.

     Electro-stimulation is an extremely intense effort for your body. In order for your muscles to recover as well as possible, it is essential that you respect the rest phases.

     As with strength and endurance training, be careful not to train too intensively. If you want to overdo it, you're opening the door to injury. It would be a shame to have to interrupt your training for a while.

Electrostimulation: our conclusion

     Muscle electrostimulation was originally developed for physiotherapy and has proven itself there for a long time.

* Electrostimulation strengthens your muscles.

* It also makes use of the deeper muscles.

* It does not work on tendons, ligaments, or joints.

* For healthy people, electrostimulation is safe.

* However, there are many risk groups.