Rev up your workout

There’s a new workout method in town that’s more intense than conventional strength training and no, you don’t have to slog it out for hours at the gym as it just takes a duration of 20 minutes a week. Turns out many celebs and sportspersons are doing it too. Sounds too good to be true? Read on to know more...

How it is conducted?

EMS stands for Electric Muscle Stimulation. Samir Purohit, co-founder and partner, The Pilates Studio, explains, “The contracted muscles are brought into contraction by using low frequency pulses of electric current. The client is given a special body suit, which is connected via wires to a machine that gives out electrical impulses. The wires are attached in such a way that at any given time, 90 per cent of the muscles in the body are working out due to the electrical impulses. Hence, it makes the workout pretty intense and effective and so it is prescribed only once a week, training for 20 minutes.” He adds that one needs to drink a sufficient amount of liquid (minimum 500 ml) before and after workout. Also, take clearance from one’s doctor prior to starting not only EMS Training but any physical training.

A more intense workout

EMS training provides a more intense workout compared to strength training due to the constant contractions (for 20 minutes) of the muscle due to the external impulses passed into the muscles. However, EMS does not replace traditional cardio. A good mix would be EMS Training, Pilates and of course, cardio, says Namrata Purohit, co-founder and partner, The Pilates Studio, adding that as one gets more advanced into EMS Training, weights can be used to further enhance muscle and strength gain. She informs that anybody can do this as even this sort of training starts from a basic level and then they up the training once the client is well settled into this routine. As for the cost factor, rate is approximately Rs 2,000 per session upwards.

Safer on the joints

Samir says, “I would not like to say it is better or worse than strength training but it definitely is safer on the joints and is a great tool for training. We have personally been doing EMS Training once a week and have found the results pretty outstanding and hence, it suits our busy schedule due to the 20-minute, once a week training.” He says that just like with conventional weight training, where a knowledgeable trainer is required to get the best results, the same goes for EMS Training too.

Benefits

Namrata says that their clients have seen benefits in as little as two to three sessions. However, besides that it is also important to follow a good nutrition plan. She lists the following benefits of EMS Training: It gives a whole body workout, trains deep muscles, increases metabolic rate, great for weight loss, post-pregnancy fitness, increase in lean body mass, increase in overall strength and endurance, helps in managing joint issues, for example, back issues, improves energy levels, improves muscle co-ordination, and client of any age group can benefit.

Ideal for whom?

Samir and Namrata personally underwent EMS Training at home for almost two months and only after they were convinced about its efficacy, did they offer it at their studio. Celebs like Chitrangda Singh, Pooja Hegde, Ileana D’cruz, Raai Laxmi, Miss India World 2017 Manushi Chhillar, to name some, have undergone EMS Training under their guidance, besides sportspersons like shooter Suma Shirur, foootballer Raju Gaikwad and other athletes, squash players, footballers. They also train overweight clients, women who come in post-pregnancy, etc. They train younger clients too but they are national level sportspersons.

You can do EMS Training here:

The Pilates Studio (EMS Division): 301-304 Business Plaza, Gazdar Bandh Road, opp Dhan Potohor Sports Ground, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 400054. Tel: 9821154492 (message)/ 9004660074 / 26600096, extn: 11.