Does anyone have a suggestion for a stim unit that is cheaper than the compex model.
do a search for the digital 6500. I paid 120USD for it. works great.
From which Company?
http://www.wisdomking.com/product162638c150048.html
wow the price dropped!!! you will not be dissastified with this unit.!
Quick,
Is this unit powerfull enough to produce strong muscle contractions? I’ve had this problem with small, inexpensive units (e.g., EMS400).
It looks like the available settings will allow the protocol recommend by Charlie (10 sec. contract, 50 sec. relax).
price seems to good to be true. how long have you had yours Quik?
ive had mine a year. Hell yea this unit is powerful enough! And the time can be set however you want perfect for Charlies protocolls. If you do not liek it you can always send it back as well. I paid 120 for mine i cant beleive how cheap it is now.
I just bought one too. QUICK, what kind of electrodes are you using? The ones that come in the package seem quite small to stim large muscle groups (like quads).
i use the ones that came with the machine. I used them over 25 times (just dab some water on them, ive even taped them down to make them stick) i really need to order new ones. Go to ebay if you want more. There real cheap on there.
Quick,
I’m not getting a lot of response on my EMS post, so I’ll ask you. Have you found that your overall level of muscle tension and relaxation has improved with EMS use?
I have a compex model (sport) which has settings that replicate the aim of tempo training, to improve capillarization and to improve the heating of fast muscles and to aid circulation and regeneration. I use this setting when tempo can not be done. I have found that muscle relaxation improves at rest. On the max strength setting and explosive strength settings, I have not noticed improved tension relaxation at rest. Current intensity for me personally plays a part. Initially current intensity chosen was too much, but I find that a 1-5mA range is more than enough, any higher and its too uncomfortable or causes muscle soreness and tension after.
I think you will find that, depending on your settings on your ems unit as well as individual differences you can improve relaxation of the muscles treated at REST.
This relaxation feeling is subjective (probably due better blood ciruclation and drainage) I do not know if it actually causes relaxation on the autonomic level. Its doubtful.
I have just bought a Body Tek EMS machine but have noticed two things…It has a contraction of only 8 secs and a pause of only 25 secs…how will this effect the 10-10-50 plan that Charlie recommends? How should I adapt it to my machine’s specs?
The main problem is the relaxation time at 25sec (half the usual 50sec rest), so 8 sec contractio is more than you can use unless you turn the machine on and off. I’d experiment with 6 sec contractions and see how that goes with the max relaxation time you have available. If the contractions start weakening substantially towars the 10th rep, you might:
First: Drop the number of reps to the point of drop-off
Second: Shorten the contraction period to 5 sec and adjust accordingly, if you still drop off before 10 reps.
Another possibility is to split the sessions, separated by at least 4 hrs, in any combination you want to total up to 10.
Thanks Charlie, I was thinking about buying another machine…but I’ll see how this goes. In CFTS there is a very good part on EMS (those who don’t have this ebook go get it!) It shows a pic of Ben (I think) with the ems pads on his calves (gastroc and sol) but doesn’t mention doing it in the list of parts to hit during EMS workout. Would you suggest using EMS on calves? If so would it still be the same parameters as the others for my system (10 reps 6 sec-25 rest)? I plan to use EMS on the CFTS mentioned body parts on a muscle building setting (high) on the 6-10-25 as discussed after track sessions (Tuesday,Thursday and Saturday) and then on non track days (Mondays & Wednesday) which are my weight’s day on a lower setting for recovery again on the CFTS mentioned body parts. What are your views on this Charlie? Also something that I haven’t seen mentioned is a warm up or stretch before and after EMS…is this advised or necessary?
Check p.171 of CFTS, last paragraph before it says Supercompensation.
Found it…thanks…just having a read as i type…gonna do a bit of light massage ems before bed 
Hi Charlie…I have one more question with regards to EMS work…at present I’m doing my EMS on strength building mode (as per your recommendation above) on the days that I have track sessions…As I train in the evening (7pm) I start my EMS work when I get in (around 9.30/10pm).My question is…would it ok to do the EMS in the morning or will I be leaving my muscles in a semi fatigued state before I run in the evening? Should i stick to doing it in the evening after training?
I think I would stick to the evening. Partly because the muscles will still be warm and party because you may be left with some muscular fatigue, even though the CNS is not affected.