How EMS Fitness Training Can Help Athletes Reach Peak Performance

We strive to be the best, and to achieve the best, especially when it comes to our training. One of our most common questions are focussed on the benefits of using Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) compared to traditional strength training in a gym.

In this article, we explore how any athlete can use EMS to deliver so much more than expected. EMS has huge benefits for every type of athlete, delivering tangible and visible results on a continual basis.

This vs That

There are some key differences between Strength Training and EMS training.

EMS uses electrical impulses to stimulate muscle contractions. This technology has been around for decades and has been used for various therapeutic purposes. In recent years it has become an extremely effective form of training for athletes. It has been shown to be incredibly beneficial in a multitude of studies.

On the other hand, traditional strength training involves using weights, resistance bands, and other equipment to target specific muscle groups and build strength.

Athletes typically engage in exercises such as squats, deadlifts, bench press, and many others to improve their overall strength and power. This kind of training, although effective in its own way, carries its own inherent risks.

EMS training can enhance athletic performance in several ways:

1. Improved Muscle Activation: EMS can help to activate a higher percentage of muscle fibres than traditional strength training alone. This can result in greater strength gains and improvements in power, speed, and agility.

2. Increased Muscle Mass: EMS has been shown to increase muscle mass, particularly in combination with strength training. Increased muscle mass can lead to greater force production and improved athletic performance.

3. EMS can be used to target deeper muscle fibres that may not be effectively engaged with traditional strength training alone.

4. Enhanced Recovery: EMS can be used for recovery purposes by increasing blood flow to the muscles and helping to reduce inflammation. This can lead to faster recovery times and reduced muscle soreness following intense training sessions.

5. Specificity of Training: EMS can be used to target specific muscle groups or even specific types of muscle fibres. This can be particularly useful for athletes who need to address imbalances or weaknesses in their musculature.

6. Time Efficiency: EMS training can be a time-efficient way to improve athletic performance. EMS can activate a higher percentage of muscle fibres in a shorter amount of time than traditional strength training.

What do you do?

For sport specific athletes, such as golfers, tennis players, rugby players, football players, swimmers, boxers, dancers and horse riders - EMS is spectacular at helping with functional movement and flexibility.

Weight training doesn’t necessarily help you become a better rugby player on its own. EMS helps with your body knowledge (i.e. learning where all parts of your body are in relation to the rest of your body), it helps your body move further within movements, and gain strength within your core.

In all athletic disciplines, injuries sadly are part of the game. Injuries can and will happen, however there are ways to minimise the damage caused, and with EMS, ways to best heal and recover from the injuries.

Here are some ways that EMS is ideally suited for sports injuries:

1. Enhanced Muscle Activation: EMS can help to activate muscles that may not be effectively engaged with traditional strength training. This can help to improve overall muscle strength, which can help to prevent injuries by reducing the risk of muscular imbalances and compensations.

2. Increased Blood Flow: EMS can help to increase blood flow to the muscles, which can promote healing and reduce inflammation. This can be particularly useful in the treatment of injuries such as muscle strains and sprains.

3. Reduced Atrophy: EMS can help to prevent muscle atrophy, which is the loss of muscle mass and strength that can occur following injury or periods of inactivity. By keeping the muscles active during recovery, EMS can help to maintain muscle mass and strength and reduce the risk of reinjury.

4. Controlled Loading: EMS can be used to provide controlled loading of the muscles, which can be particularly useful in the early stages of rehabilitation. By gradually increasing the load on the muscles, EMS can help to prevent reinjury and promote safe and effective recovery.

EMS has some amazing mental health benefits for any athlete, such as:

1. Improved Confidence: EMS training can help athletes to feel more confident in their physical abilities. By improving overall strength and fitness levels, athletes can feel more capable and confident in their athletic pursuits.

2. Reduced Stress: Exercise, in general, is known to be an effective way to reduce stress and improve mood. EMS training, in particular has been shown to reduce stress levels and improve overall well-being.

3. Increased Motivation: EMS training can be a challenging and rewarding form of exercise, which can help to increase motivation and commitment to training. Athletes will feel more motivated to continue training and push themselves to new levels of performance.

4. Enhanced Focus: EMS training can require a high level of focus and concentration, which can help athletes to develop better mental discipline and focus. This can translate into improved athletic performance and mental toughness.

5. Improved Body Awareness: EMS training can help athletes to develop a better understanding of their bodies and how they move. This can lead to improved body awareness and proprioception, which can be particularly useful in sports that require agility and coordination.

No matter what sport you play, and no matter your skill level, EMS is an invaluable tool for your development.

So whatever your discipline, our Body20 Coaches know exactly how to guide you toward the best version of yourself, both physically and mentally.

Body20 is an all-encompassing, holistic approach to physical, and mental well-being. The mind and body are an ecosystem, and we understand the value of taking care of it all.

Body20 members get access to Nutrition Doctors and Wellness Coaches to assist in improving the quality of their lives. To find out more, book your free demo at your nearest Body20 Studio.