Fitness.com article
People generally buy EMS devices for three main reasons. First, to help develop abdominal muscles and to improve the overall appearance of their body. Second, to stimulate and to strengthen muscles thereby enhancing their exercise program. Third, for rapid relief from pain (joint pains, muscle aches, back inflammation, etc.) and discomforts due to stress and strain.
EMS is an acronym for Electrical Muscle Stimulation. This is a process that uses low amperage electrical current to stimulate your muscles to contract and to relax. When a muscle contracts as a result of the localized electronic stimulation, the chemical changes taking place within the muscle are very similar to those that occur as a reaction to contraction during "normal" exercising. The chemical reactions which result from muscle contractions either through active exercise or through passive EMS, utilize glycogen, fat and other nutrients stored in the muscle and enable an individual to tone, to strengthen and to shape muscle.
We have seen all kinds of wild claims concerning the effectiveness of EMS. One article promised that 15 minutes with an EMS device was similar to 90 minutes of intense sit-ups. Another promised young men 22 inch arms within a month of EMS use. Claims like these are foolish and only serve to distort the true benefits of EMS. Scientific studies have proven that EMS is effective for toning and strengthening muscles when used correctly and consistently.
Additionally, studies have shown EMS to be a unique "helper" when used as a training aid with resistance exercise. EMS is being used extensively throughout the world. The Medical Advisory Committee allows the use of EMS systems by Olympic athletes. Tens of thousands of bodybuilders, professional athletes, physical therapists, sports medicine doctors and world class track and field athletes currently use EMS to supplement their regular workout routines for increased improvement and for performance enhancement.
Finally, EMS is not a substitute for eating correctly. Simply stimulating your ab muscles will not allow you to lose 4 inches off your waist in a month while sitting in front of the TV eating ice cream. However, EMS can help to tighten your muscles and give you a slimmer appearance when accompanied by a sensible eating program.
We have also found EMS training to be an invaluable asset in warming up the muscles and in increasing circulation prior to a workout routine. Research into this use has in fact demonstrated that individuals who use EMS before their normal workout routines have far better results than those who do not.
Many doctors also recommend EMS to aid in the rehabilitation of muscles following injury and to ease patient's chronic muscle spasms and pain. While it is true that EMS can help to eliminate or reduce the muscle soreness and pain following an intense workout or the rehabilitation of minor muscle injuries; it is important to differentiate between EMS units and TENS units. TENS units are normally more powerful devices capable of sending deeper penetration to the muscle and allowing for more intense contraction. This type of stimulation is commonly used by doctors for treatment of serious back conditions, spinal cord injuries and chronic muscular pain.
Just like with exercise, EMS does not deliver overnight success. The truth is that it will take 20-30 days to start to see any real, noticeable improvement. But the improvements will come.
Like most things in life, there are some very well made highly effective units and then there is the junk.
A well made EMS unit has a minimum of two outlets which are referred to as channels. Each channel has two wire connections with two pads attached at the end of each wire. The EMS unit works by delivering a gentle electronic impulse to your muscles through the soft electrode pads. By placing the pair of pads on a particular muscle group, your muscles respond to the impulses that are generated by contracting and relaxing rhythmically as controlled by the setting on the EMS Unit.
The better EMS devices have a variety of settings allowing you to find the one that is most effective and comfortable for the individual muscle groups you are targeting.
We have field tested a variety of EMS devices on ourselves, on casual exercisers as well as with various professional athletes and world class bodybuilders.
The devices that we have found to work the best and to be the most reliable are the Tamexx EMS Units. These devices are near flawless and come with a full two year warranty.
We have focused on six of the units for you to consider. There are three 9 volt units and three 12 volt units. The 9 volt units provide excellent EMS for people wishing to tone and tighten. Model 3004 is an excellent low cost 2 channel unit for everyone. Model 3006 is an enhanced 3 channel unit suitable for people looking for more serious definition. If you are interested in 4 or more channels we recommend moving to a more powerful 12 volt unit. The TMS 12 is a 4 channel professional caliber EMS device suitable for all highly serious EMS advocates.
If you are in search of an EMS/TENS unit then we recommend that you step up to the 6 channel TMS 16 or even better, the top of the line, the 8 channel EMS 20.
Your choice should be guided by the application you are planning. We recommend the TMS 20 if you are in search of a top of the line professional EMS/TENS device. If you are a more casual exerciser looking for the benefits of EMS the low cost 3004 will work fine for you
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