When we practice a sport intensively or regularly, it is common to get injured or feel a certain discomfort caused by an effort, a blow or a poorly executed technique.
Electric muscle stimulation will reduce these risks, but it will also help to tone and strengthen our muscles. Moreover, it is essential in many physical recovery therapies. In this article you will find everything you need to know about this device and what you should consider before purchasing one.
Specification
This muscle stimulation machine uses EMS technology. It has 9 levels of intensity and 6 modes of operation. It has a band of 8 pads and 2 other bands of 2 electrodes, so it can be used on the legs, arms or waist. It is easy to recharge via USB.
Key Features
Thanks to this muscle stimulator, you will be able to exercise several muscular zones of the body without effort. With constant use, you will see results in a short time. It is very easy to use and control thanks to its LED display. Ideal for a quick workout.
Specification
The Beurer model is a digital muscle stimulator with EMS and TENS technology. It has 4 self-adhesive electrodes which are controlled on 2 separate channels. In addition, it has an adjustable intensity, 6 individualizable programs and 64 pre-programmed applications.
Key Features
The Beurer offers you the possibility to vary your muscle stimulation sessions with different modes and programs. This means that you can choose the one that best suits your needs. In addition, it has a safety shut-off function.
The 5 best muscle stimulators according to Musclopedia
Using a muscle stimulation machine can achieve great results in terms of health (to treat pain) and fitness (to strengthen your muscles).
If you are looking for a good electronic muscle stimulator, here is our comparison table with the best models of the moment. At Musclopedia, we have tested and compared these different models according to their characteristics, price and quality to help you in your choice. Take a look!
Benefits of muscle stimulation machine
Versatile and efficient machine
A muscle stimulation machine is used to stimulate the nerve fibers surrounding the muscles. This is done by means of electrical impulses that are applied to the surface of the skin with electrodes that you place as appropriate for each session.
This is why this device is very useful for muscular work, such as rehabilitation, pain and atrophy relief or muscle recovery after physical inactivity or an accident.
Improvement of physical condition
Whether it is used as a complement to your training sessions or as a physiotherapy accessory, this device will help you improve your physical condition and general fitness.
It should be noted that this device is widely used by physiotherapists to treat joint or muscle pain, for rehabilitation, re-education or recovery programs and for muscle development after periods of immobility or physical activity (for example, for people who have had an accident or have spent a long period in hospital without being able to move). For these uses, it is essential that you contact a professional and that he or she carries out the treatment.
The main advantage of this device is that, if you learn how to use it properly, you can enjoy its benefits without having to spend a lot of money. In addition, it is very compact and easy to store and move wherever you need it.
Why use a muscle stimulation machine?
Best partner for your training
These machines are an ideal complement to physical exercise, especially for those who do a lot of sport or intense exercise.
This is why many professional athletes use them and include them in their weight training program.
Put an end to cellulite
An important advantage to the use of a muscle stimulator is that some programs are specially designed to eliminate orange peel skin. This will allow you to get rid of the annoying cellulite that tends to take a long time to go away, despite the physical efforts you make.
Tone up your muscles
With a muscular stimulation machine, you can strengthen and tone the muscles and thus define your silhouette. They are very effective for areas such as the abdominals.
However, it is important to know that this does not mean that you will lose weight. It is therefore necessary to combine these practices with other types of physical activities. The device will help you achieve good results, but it doesn’t work miracles.
Improve your performance
In addition, with a muscle stimulator, you can strengthen your muscles and improve your performance. The result will be increased strength and endurance. By complementing this device with another sport, you can significantly increase your strength in a relatively short time.
Ideal for warm-up
In addition, the muscle stimulator is not only used to improve or strengthen muscles, but you can also use it to warm up before your workout or, on the contrary, to relax after your sports program.
As you will have understood, whether it is to relieve your muscles at the end of a workout or to help fat to be eliminated faster, muscle sitmulation machines are used in addition to regular physical activity. Without it, don’t expect miracles!
How to choose your muscle stimulator?
Number of channels
This criterion will be very important depending on whether you want a professional, intensive or personal muscle stimulator. In any case, the more it has, the better.
But what are the channels? The channels are the outputs of the device to which you will connect the electrode cables. They will help to work several muscles at the same time. Each channel can have up to two electrodes.
In practice, for occasional use, a 2 or 4 channel model may be sufficient. However, for more frequent and professional use, you will need more. Otherwise, in addition to being ineffective, you may need much more time to work all the muscles or areas you need to work.
On the other hand, if the device has independent channels, this will be a plus. This way, you will be able to work different areas of the body with different intensities or programs, depending on the needs of each area.
Training programs
The choice of your device will necessarily involve defining the programs you will need. There are several types of programs or sessions.
They differ according to the use
Sports programs are those that help you improve your general and individual physical performance while participating in a sport or physical activity.
Fitness programs are used to tone and define muscles and thus to shape the silhouette.
Wellness and massage programs are those that relieve pain of various types and use the TENS type current, ideal for physical therapy.
There are models that will include some of these types of programs and others that will include all of them. Depending on how you intend to use the device, you will have to choose one or the other. You should also look at the total number of programs. Obviously, the more programs you have, the higher the price, but also the variety and options for working and recovering your muscles. Also, if you use them often, they will be a good investment.
As far as the software is concerned, it is convenient that it can be easily updated when new versions come out, especially for people who are going to use it professionally. This way, you can quickly and easily have the new programs or functions at your disposal, without having to change the device itself.
Use
As with many sports and other accessories and gadgets, the use you make of them is an important factor to consider before you go shopping. In this case, there are two very different uses, professional use and personal use.
In the first case, whether it is for physiotherapists or for high-level athletes, it is advisable to opt for complete models, which can work in both TENS and EMS and which, if possible, can work with batteries (or with a cable, if you are always going to use it in the same place). Even though the initial investment will be higher, it will be worth it and will be practically unavoidable.
In the case of sporadic personal use, you will have the possibility of opting for an inexpensive muscle stimulator that does not have as many functions or is not as complete. However, if you want a more complete one and can afford it, why not? After all, it’s your choice.
The different types of muscle stimulator
There are different types of muscle stimulation machines, depending on the use you wish to make of them. We’ll give you more details.
EMS Machine
This type of electronic muscle stimulation machine is used to work and tone muscles. To do so, it uses short electrical impulses that stimulate the nerves. In this way, they provoke muscle tension to ensure proper maintenance of muscle mass.
They are found in the form of patches specially designed to fit the shape of the muscles on the arms, thighs and abdominals.
TENS Machine
This type of muscle stimulation has an analgesic function, so it is used to treat pain due to contractures or similar problems. This is done by means of electrical impulses that prevent the cells from transferring the pain message to the brain.
They come in the form of a square patch connected to a small remote control, which is placed where the pain is located.
Complete muscle stimulator
This model is more complete and combines the TENS option and the EMS option in a single device. So you can use it for both pain relief and muscle activation.
Connection types
Depending on the type of muscle stimulation machine you choose, there are also different connection modes.
Muscle stimulator with piles
It is a good model for moderate use and for traveling, for example, because it is easier to change the piles or stacks than to find a place to recharge them.
Muscle stimulator with battery
It is similar to the previous one, but it can be used more intensively because the battery has a longer consumption time than the batteries in this case.
Mains powered muscle stimulator
This model is best suited for those who will always use it in the same place, such as physiotherapists for example. Even if this limits your mobility, the advantage is that you won’t have to worry about running out of battery power or lack of power in the middle of the session.
FAQ
Q. EMS or TENS muscle stimulation machine?
R. The difference between the two models lies in the use. A transcutaneous electrical neurostimulation (TENS) device aims to relieve pain by stimulating the nerves involved. Whereas an electric muscle stimulation (EMS) device is used for muscle strengthening by stimulating the muscles.
Q. How much does a muscle stimulator cost?
R. Although it all depends on its characteristics, you can find cheap muscle stimulators for about 30 people, but there are also more complete models that cost around 50 to 60 euros and high-end models that can cost more than 100 euros.
Q. Where do you sell muscle stimulation machine?
R. Just like in some sports stores or department stores, a very good option for buying an electronic muscle stimulator is to use the Internet, in stores like Amazon. There you will find a wide variety of brands and models and affordable prices.
Q. What is the best brand of muscle stimulator?
R. In today’s market, there are many brands dedicated to the design and manufacture of this type of device. Some of the most popular brands include Compex, Beurer, TensCare, Medisana, Tesmed and Globus Duo Pro, among others.
Q. Are there any contraindications to the use of a muscle stimulator?
R. Although it is not essentially dangerous, some people should not use it. These include pregnant women and people suffering from epilepsy, diabetes, pacemakers or hypertension. In addition, it should not be used on the head or in humid atmospheres.
Q. How do I place the electrodes of a muscle stimulator?
R. To place them correctly, they must be removed from the muscle(s) to be treated. If you place them less than 5 cm away, the muscle stimulation will be intense but superficial, whereas if they are 15 cm or more away, it will be weaker and deeper.
Q. In what areas can the muscle stimulator be used?
R. It can be used on practically all the muscles of the upper, middle and lower body (shoulders, back, pectorals, abdominals, legs, buttocks…). However, the electrodes should never be placed on the head.
Highlights of muscle stimulator
Whether in the field of physiotherapy, intensive sports practice or professional practice, the use of electronic muscle stimulator has many advantages. Indeed, it will be very effective in treating muscular pain that may occur after excessive efforts. In addition, their use is optimal for muscle recovery and general improvement of the body’s muscle masses.