The future of fitness

Like the other top actors in Bollywood, actor Paresh Rawal isn’t scared to work hard to stay in shape. Alongside his son Aditya Rawal, the actor was recently spotted using electrical muscle stimulation, or EMS, to achieve fitness goals. Kendall and Kylie Jenner recently had a few sister bonding time by checking out an EMS workout together.

EMS is the fastest growing segment of the fitness business and is an excellent supplement to even the most rigorous workouts. It’s no surprise that elite athletes, such as footballers, tennis players, surfers, boxers, and others, as well as actors and models, use and endorse it.

What’s EMS

EMS, or Electro Muscle Stimulation, training uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscles and cause them to contract. “This training method is frequently utilised in fitness and rehabilitation. Electrodes are inserted on the skin during EMS training, and electrical impulses are administered to the muscles, simulating the normal process of muscle contraction. This can boost muscle strength, endurance, and even speed up recovery,” says fitness expert Chitharesh Natesan, who is famously known as ‘The Indian Monster’ and is an Indian professional bodybuilder.

Intensive workout

Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) training has transformed the fitness landscape by giving a 20-minute, once-week bodyweight workout. “This novel method activates an astounding 90% to 95% of the body’s muscles, including often-overlooked areas like the deep back and pelvic floor muscles. EMS, like central nervous system signals, uses a high-frequency electric current to trigger muscular contractions, reaching deep inside the muscle fibres. The wearable EMS device, which is often in the shape of a belt, transmits minute electrical pulses that efficiently target all four muscle groups for a thorough workout,” says Chitharesh.

EMS Benefits

The rise in popularity of EMS training can be ascribed to its exceptional efficiency in targeting specific muscle regions, encouraging enhanced strength, improved endurance, and accelerated recovery. “EMS has a high time efficiency, delivering equivalent outcomes to typical workouts in substantially less time. This time-saving feature is especially beneficial to people with hectic schedules, providing a feasible solution for excellent workouts within limited durations. Furthermore, the versatility of EMS allows it to be tailored to a variety of fitness goals, ranging from muscle mass development to improving overall sports performance,” says Chitharesh.

Safety & Optimal Results

To maximise the benefits of EMS training while maintaining safety, various measures must be prioritised. Chitharesh says, “Seeking advice from a healthcare specialist or trained trainer is critical, especially when dealing with pre-existing health concerns. To avoid any discomfort or skin concerns, make sure the electrodes are properly fitted and rigorously follow the manufacturer’s usage recommendations.”

It is prudent to avoid overtraining—avoiding extensive EMS use without adequate recovery time is critical in reducing muscular fatigue or strain.

Tips for effective workouts

Improving the efficacy of EMS training requires smart integration with standard workouts for a well-rounded fitness routine. “Dynamic movements and functional exercises can improve the overall training experience during EMS sessions. It is best to progressively increase the intensity of sessions as muscles adapt to the stimulation, taking a progressive approach to avoid overexertion and allow the body to respond to the new training stimulus,” he says.

Individualised outcomes

While EMS has numerous advantages, it is critical to understand that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Individual factors such as fitness levels, health issues, and dietary habits can all influence the effectiveness of EMS. “Consistency is essential in any workout regimen, and users are encouraged to smoothly integrate EMS into their regimens on a daily basis for long-term outcomes,” says the former Mr. Universe.