Electric Muscle Training: Tone Without the Effort

"Firm, tone and strengthen without the effort..."

We've all seen these ads promising real results without the workout. And, let's be honest now, it sounds great, doesn't it? I mean who wouldn't want rock-hard six-pack abds and toned, sexy legs without the grueling workout routine?

But is it real? Does it work? How does it work?

WHAT IS ELECTRIC MUSCLE TRAINING
Electric Muscle Training is based on a type of treatment that has been utilized for centuries, dating back more than 2000 years when ancient Greeks used electric eels to treat a variety of ailments. But it has just been in the latter half of the twentieth century where we have seen a surge of FDA approved electrical devices.

Also known as Electric Muscle Stimulation, or EMS, it is a device that uses electrode pads on a muscle or muscle group that stimulates the nerves through electrical impulses. These small electrical stimuli cause the muscle to contract.

Physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, etc. have used EMS for a variety of things, such as injury rehab; enhancing healing of fractured bones; decreasing muscle atrophy (wasting away of muscles); decreasing spasms; muscle re-education following a stroke or muscle disorder; and incontinence.

ELECTRIC MUSCLE TRAINING AS A WORKOUT TOOL
Advocates for the portable, in-home units of EMS claim just by strapping the electrodes, say to your abdomen, you can see "real" results in four to six weeks with just thirty minutes per day. They allege the secret is in the patented medical-grade muscle stimulation technique.

A typical ad may declare it's like performing 1500 sit-ups in thirty minutes while at resting, as you can use the device while watching TV or reading a book. They also boast an average of 49% increase in abdominal muscle strength and a 72% increase in abdominal muscle endurance in as little as four weeks.

It also has the clearance of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), as it is relatively safe to use without the assistance of a trained medical professional.