Fitness
Is electrical muscle stimulation really a short-cut to getting buff?
In a 1993 film Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story there’s a scene where the main character sits at a typewriter wearing electrodes strapped across his chest and biceps.
The martial arts superstar is zapping his muscles so he bulks up without doing any exercise.
“Three minutes is like doing 200 push-ups,” he claims.
This technology, called electrical muscle stimulation or EMS, was explored by the Russians back in the 1960s to help athletes train, and it’s since been embraced by the likes of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo and Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt.
These days, EMS is promoted to people who want to get buff. You can even wear a whole-body EMS suit at the gym.
EMS proponents say that the technology, which sends electric impulses through skin and into muscle below to make them contract, “bypasses” the brain, triggering muscles to work and grow in a “smarter and more efficient way”.
Some ads say you can get your weekly whole-body workout in just 20 minutes — without lifting a single weight.
It sounds too good to be true, so what is the scientific evidence for these claims?
What’s the theory behind EMS?
Our muscles are made up of different “motor units”, each consisting of a nerve and the muscle fibres it activates.
One type of motor unit is smaller, contracts slowly and takes a while to get tired, while the other is larger, contracts rapidly and fatigues quickly.
The larger units use more energy but can generate more force. These are the ones that we use to build strength over time.
EMS is often used as a supplement to training. (Getty Images: Milan Markovic )
When we voluntarily activate our muscles — by lifting weights, for example — our brain activates the smaller slower motor units first before activating the larger faster ones, says Swarup Mukherjee, a sports and exercise physiologist at Nanyang Technological University of Singapore.
“What EMS does is it reverses this natural recruitment order.”
And it is thought that by stimulating the larger motor units first, EMS can speed up the process of building muscle mass — and strength.
From medicine to elite sport
Manufacturers of some EMS gadgets have landed in trouble for overstating their claims on late night infomercials.
While some gadget claims might not stack up, there is a scientific basis for using electricity to stimulate muscles. In fact, the idea has been around for centuries, and has developed into an important way to exercise muscles when someone has an illness or injury.
“For patients that are unable to physically exercise for whatever reason, electrical stimulation can replace exercise,” says Gordon Lynch, who studies the use of EMS with the Centre for Muscle Research at the University of Melbourne.
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“The evidence is really strong that we can get adaptations in muscle and recruit muscles in a way that that can be beneficial.”
But, Professor Lynch says, it is less clear whether EMS works as a general fitness tool.
“There’s no real consensus about how to optimise this form of training for otherwise healthy people.”
Still, there are no shortage of online testimonials from people who swear EMS workouts are the way to go.
But what does the evidence say?
Some research, such as this small 2016 randomised controlled trial of middle-aged men, supports using EMS to build strength and lose fat.
And the technology’s “time-efficiency” and “joint-friendliness” is seen by some researchers as attractive to those “unable or unmotivated” to do intense exercise.
A 2023 review by Dr Mukherjee of 10 other studies also found EMS increased the size of the muscles they stimulated in healthy adults.
And since muscle is one of the most energy-hungry tissues in the body, building them should also help burn fat, Dr Mukherjee says.
Retired sprinter Usain Bolt is among the high-profile athletes who have used EMS. (Getty Images: Ashley Feder/Stringer)
But, he cautions, building bigger muscles does not necessarily translate to the sort of strength that will make gym exercises or everyday activities easier.
In fact, none of the studies in his review found EMS improved such “functional” strength.
“There isn’t enough body of data to convince us that it is an equivalent of voluntary resistance training,” Dr Mukherjee says.
Other researchers who reviewed the evidence on whole-body EMS concluded active people won’t get any advantage from the technology, although older sedentary populations may benefit.
One limitation of EMS is that it contracts static muscles, but to do specific activities our brain orchestrates a combination of muscles in a special way, Dr Mukherjee explains.
During bicep curls, for example, our biceps contract, while our triceps must lengthen and relax.
This is why there is a preference among proponents to combine EMS with traditional muscle exercises, Dr Mukherjee says.
Getting the right ‘dose’
Everyone’s muscles respond differently to EMS, Professor Lynch says, adding that this makes giving the right dose of stimulation a challenge.
“If it’s not enough, then you’re not going to get any benefit at all. And if you over stimulate, then you can cause muscle damage.”
Sport scientist Nicola Maffiuletti of the Schulthess Clinic, an orthopaedic hospital in Switzerland, agrees.
Traditional muscle building involves progressively — and carefully — adding heavier weights to a training regimen over time as your muscles adapt and get stronger.
But Dr Maffiuletti says it’s harder to know how much current to use to get the right stimulation with EMS.
“When you inject current you don’t know how to properly dose on an individual basis.”
Possible risks of EMS
Dr Maffiuletti is particularly concerned about the dose of current delivered by whole-body EMS suits.
These are a wetsuit-type outfit with electrodes that stimulate a number of muscles across the body at the same time.
He says it’s like “giving a pill” when we don’t know how much drug the pill contains, or what it’ll do to the person taking it.
“It’s not a cautious way to exercise.”
While painful muscles are to be expected after a muscle workout of any kind, Dr Mukherjee warns people should not experience pain at the time of receiving EMS — discomfort yes, but not pain.
In 2016 Dr Maffiuletti co-authored a piece in the British Medical Journal calling for better regulation of whole-body EMS suits after seeing people’s muscles break down in a condition called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney damage.
While there are fewer reports of rhabdomyolysis from EMS these days, he remains concerned about how well people are screened before using whole-body suits at the gym.
Experts advise caution when using EMS. (Getty Images: Nevena1987 )
Even experts who support the use of whole-body EMS in general fitness warn of potential harms and the need for better oversight.
The US Food and Drug Administration has warned some consumer products have reportedly shocked, burned, bruised and irritated the skin of users, and interfered with critically important medical devices such as pacemakers.
If you are planning to fork out for EMS at the gym, Professor Lynch advises looking for a personalised approach with supervision by a professional like a physiotherapist who is trained in using the technology.
But he recommends making the most of more traditional forms of exercise and strength training first.
Finally, he adds, if weight loss is the goal you also really need to watch what you put in your mouth.
Delve into claims surrounding EMS in more detail on What’s that Rash? and subscribe to the podcast for more answers to more health questions.
To help monitor step counts and set daily step goals, invest in a smart watch or a step counting app on your phone. For added motivation, enlist the help of friends and family to walk alongside you. The more you exercise during treatment as well as during the months and years after diagnosis, the greater chance you have of beating cancer and improving quality of life. And once you can easily meet the 5,000 steps a day goal, the option to pursue even greater levels of physical activity, including resuming your former active lifestyle, will seem less of an insurmountable goal.
The American lifestyle is a busy – but sedentary – one. In an average day, one in four people spend eight hours sitting at desk jobs, nearly three hours in front of the TV, and around half an hour commuting to and from work.
And it’s showing up in their health – with only a quarter of U.S. adults getting the federally-recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. Some 117 million live with one or more preventable chronic diseases, and Harvard researchers report as many as 70 percent of adults could be considered obese under expanded guidelines.
But while a long-term exercise plan is all good and well, some fitness and health experts are advising a jumpstart, with a little shortcut.
There’s a million different options and price points: from a $15-dollar jump rope for five minutes of skipping each day (which I wrote about last month) to $700 infrared sauna blankets.
“Exercise is great for those who can and want to do it, but ‘exercise’ is not necessary for health benefits. Any physical activity is healthful, and physical activity is what we do in daily life,” I-Min Lee, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, told The Independent. “We don’t need to ‘exercise’ to reap health benefits.”
Cheat day, every day
Just five minutes of shoveling while gardening, vacuuming the living room carpet and even scrubbing shower tile can help a 150-pound person burn 150 calories an hour, the American Heart Association says.
But really it depends on what you’re looking to gain. For some people that might be losing some pounds, so running with a weighted vest on can help burn more calories, faster.
Others may be concerned about mobility, and could add hand and ankle weights to a routine. Gradually increasing the amount of weight will help improve muscle strength, metabolism, bone density and prevent injuries.
Or perhaps it’s getting stronger. Running up stairs in an exoskeleton – a robotic-looking, wearable “suit” made of plastic and metal – can amplify movement which builds strength and stamina over the course of a workout. But the cost investment is real – the average price is $1,500 but stretch up to $4,000.
At-home trampolines – a trend which gained popularity in the pandemic – offer a low impact way to boost strength and heart health.
But does a few minutes a day make a difference? “It’s not the duration of the exercise that matters in these instances – it’s the intensity,” UCLA Health doctors explained.
Robin Arzón, Peloton’s vice president of fitness programming, also said in a statement that just 15 minutes of any exercise can do the trick. “These quick routines can be just as effective for cardiovascular health and our ability to increase strength and endurance, while still maintaining focus,” she noted.
But if you’ve been off the exercise game for a while, fitness experts advise taking precautions first.
“Think of the time and work it took to get to your previous fitness level,” athletic trainer Jason Cruickshank said. “You’re not being fair to yourself if you think you’ll jump back in at the same spot.”
Keep it up
Consistency is key, and people can stay on top of exercise by removing the decision making. Lay out workout clothes ahead of time and set an alarm on your phone to make sure you stay on schedule.
Feel that your job is what’s holding you back? Walking pads can help busy workers meet their step goals, and chairs with pedals keep legs active while sitting for a long time. The priciest pads range from $400 to $1,400, although some are around $100. The pedal chairs also vary in price, typically selling for $200 to $1,000.
But walking doesn’t have to feel like a Herculean task.
Adding to your step count is as easy as putting on a new episode of your favorite podcast then going for a neighborhood walk, getting lunch at the sandwich shop a few blocks further away from the office, or deciding to take the long way home.
Try to find something that will hold your attention for around 30 minutes, the recommended amount of moderate exercise you need each day to lose weight.
But if you do make it to the gym, pair that Netflix binge with time on a stationary bike or treadmill. You can get caught up on your favorite shows and improve your heart, lung, bone and muscle health.
Cheap and cheerful
By all means if you have the money, give the crazy fitness cheat a try.
That could mean an AI-powered yoga mat that makes sure you’re holding the right posture for a smarter stretch or some $1,500 Jetboots that reduce soreness and improve circulation after a strenuous workout. Lying on a $1,200 red light mat promises muscle recovery and pain relief, as well.
A home gym system might see you spend a few thousand dollars – such as a bike, smart fitness mirror or rowing machine – but many of those once-trendy machines may become passé too quickly.
Beth Czerwony, a Cleveland Clinic registered dietitian, sounded a note of caution on expensive fads.
“When trying out a new way to work out or improve their health, they may be setting themselves up for failure because they may not be doing those methods correctly (either using fad supplements or pricey equipment or even using the incorrect form when exercising) or may have a health condition that would interfere with that method,” she said.
Still, there are plenty of inexpensive options. When it came to my five minutes of jump rope each day, I opted for a $15 rainbow LED version, to brighten up the experience. And for only a few dollars more, weighted jump ropes, of up to five pound, can quickly sculpt your upper body and core.
People trying to perfect the perfect push-up could opt for special pads to help their position and grip for only $25. The pads reduce strain on the wrists and hands, and the handles rotate to better engage different parts of the upper body.
Vibration plates help improve circulation, muscle building and weight loss for under $100. The Mayo Clinic says they can even reduce back pain and bone loss, as well as improve strength and balance in older adults.
Enlist a distraction
Try cheating on that fitness cheat. If you find it hard to be consistent with exercise or, well, that it’s just plain boring, combine it with other things.
Play with a balloon like you did when you were a kid, or dance to songs that will raise your heart rate to 171 beats per minute: a tempo that can make physical work feel easier and boost heart health.
Meet a friend for a brisk walk or jogging and gab your way through several miles.
Track your progress to stay focused. And for extra fun, map out a walking route or run that draws a little picture, on the exercise tracking app Strava. Your fellow runners will appreciate it.
Fitness
Diet vs exercise: Which fitness approach is more effective for losing body fat and improving overall health | – The Times of India
Celebrity physiotherapist Jeff Cavaliere has emphasised the vital role of nutrition in achieving a lean, low body fat physique. Speaking on The Peter Attia Drive podcast, the 50-year-old fitness expert explained that reaching just 7 per cent body fat is largely determined by diet rather than exercise. Cavaliere pointed out that while workouts are important for overall health and muscle tone, the true driver of visible abs and fat loss is consistent, disciplined eating. He highlighted that taking “nutritional responsibility” and making mindful food choices throughout the day outweigh the benefits of even the most rigorous exercise routines. Foods like leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, high-quality protein, and healthy fats are essential for controlling appetite, maintaining energy, and supporting sustainable fat loss.
Why nutrition matters more than exercise for a lean physique
Many people assume that exercise alone is the key to sculpting a well-defined body. Jeff Cavaliere challenges this notion, emphasising that nutrition, rather than workouts, largely determines how lean you appear.“When people admire my abs, the first question they ask is about my exercise routine. The truth is, it’s not the exercise that makes the difference. It’s more about what you choose to eat and staying away from unhealthy foods,” said Cavaliere, founder of Athlean-X and renowned strength and conditioning coach.He explained that while movement is important for overall health, achieving extremely low body fat levels relies heavily on dietary consistency.
What you eat determines your results more than the gym
Cavaliere, who previously served as the New York Mets’ strength and conditioning coach, urges individuals to take full responsibility for their nutrition. He points out that gym workouts, even five times a week, are only one aspect of physical transformation.“It’s what you do during the other 23 hours of the day that truly shapes your physique. Remaining consistent with your diet is far more important than simply hitting the gym,” he said. The emphasis, according to Cavaliere, should be on developing a routine of healthy eating habits and maintaining them without compromise. Nutritional responsibility, he explains, is the cornerstone of fat loss success.
Foods that promote fat loss
Cavaliere recommends specific food groups that can help accelerate fat loss while keeping you satisfied and nourished.
- Leafy greens for fullness and hydration
Leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and collard greens are rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. These vegetables not only support hydration but also contribute to prolonged feelings of fullness.Leafy greens contain plant compounds called thylakoids, which have been linked to appetite regulation and reduced snacking, making them ideal for anyone aiming to control calorie intake naturally.
- High-quality protein and healthy fats
Incorporating fish and other high-quality protein sources into your diet is crucial for controlling hunger and maintaining muscle mass. Healthy fats from foods like fish or avocado provide essential nutrients that support metabolism and long-term satiety.
- Cruciferous vegetables for fibre and low calories
Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, are low in calories but high in fibre. They help you feel full without consuming excess energy, making them a smart choice for fat-loss meals.
Exercise supports health, BUT diet determines fat loss
While regular exercise is undeniably important for cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and overall fitness, Cavaliere reiterates that it cannot replace the role of nutrition in fat loss. Body composition is largely a reflection of dietary habits rather than workout routines.“Exercise is crucial for health and longevity, but if your goal is single-digit body fat, the primary driver is your nutrition,” he explained.According to Cavaliere, the ultimate lesson is simple: focus on what you consume and remain consistent, and the results will follow naturally.Also Read | 5 early heart failure signs you might be ignoring, including nighttime cough: Here’s how to prevent before it’s too late
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