any of you know where to get a cheap EMS for a low price, anything below $450?? but quality? i would like to get one but dont have that kind of money…
I also find that pad placement is key. The contraction is a lot stronger when the pads are right on the bulk of the muscle.
Do smaller pads make for better contractions?
where can you get the pads Charlie recommends
I used to get them from 3M. Maybe they have a website. Or you could check out a medical supply house in your area.
Has anyone had any experience with this model?
TECHNICAL PARAMETERS: BioMed EMS 2000 Electronic Muscle Stimulator
Size: 3.9" x 2.75" x 1" (9.90cm x 6.98cm x 2.54cm).
Weight: 4.6oz (132 grams).
Channels: Dual.
Waveform: Symmetrical biphasic square.
Pulse Rate(adj.): 1 to 80 Hz
Pulse Width: 300 µs
Stimulation Modes: Cycle, constant and reciprocation.
On Ramp: 0 - 8 seconds.
Off Ramp: 2 seconds(preset).
On Time: 1 - 60 seconds.
Off Time: 1 - 60 seconds.
Output Voltage: 0 - 49V.
Output Current
Intensity(adj.): 0 - 98 mA.
Battery: 9V alkaline battery.
Is there a specific size or name to look for?
Trust me it’s not weak. Especially if you press down on the pads. It’s very minimal (i.e. only 4 pads) but definitely gets the job done.
It could be I’m used to the Compex machine which permits much stronger contractions and has 4 channels instead of two so when I’m working with my quads I can work on my VM with two pads and with VL or RF or both with the other 2 pads while doing the same on the other leg. It could be I have not a great FT/ST twitch ratio so I need more intensity (even if I’m not sure).
In general and accordingly to other users’ opinions, if you are on a budget (Compex Sport costs 700 €, and that’s a lot of money!!) and you have low BF levels and a good FT/ST ratio, the EMS6500 could be a good choice.
What are the experiences of anyone who has used the preset programs on the Compex units vs what Charlie recommends?
Compex has a max powerout put of 100 mA (the model you can buy in the us at least). A good thing about the compex is that it can ramp up and down in 0.2 seconds, which is good to develop max contraction quickly which is very important for power athletes. The Toneamatic model has powerout put of 1600 mA but the ramp up and down times are 3 secs which isn’t good. Would there be any benefit to using the toneamatic at a high current to build max contraction and then on a differnt day use the compex to try develop the ability to produce a max contraction quickly?
These are the preset programs for the US Compex model. You can order some of the other models from overseas. Another brand I have looked at is Cefar. They seem fairly similar to the Compex but the Cefar Myo 4 has the option to program custom programs while you can’t do that on a Compex.
Program ContractionFrequency(Hz) ContractionTime(sec.) RestTime(sec.) RestFrequency(Hz) WorkTime(min.) TotalTime(min.)
Endurance1 10 8 2 3 40 55
Endurance2 12 8 2 3 40 55
Endurance3 14 8 2 3 40 55
Endurance4 16 8 2 3 40 55
Endurance5 18 8 2 3 40 55
Resistance1 50 7 7 5 12 27
Resistance2 55 8 7 6 13 28
Resistance3 60 8 6 7 13 28
Resistance4 65 8 5 8 13 28
Resistance5 70 8 4 9 13 28
Strength1 75 4 19 4 17 32
Strength2 83 4 23 4 20 35
Strength3 90 4 27 4 22 37
Strength4 96 4 31 4 25 40
Strength5 100 4 35 4 28 43
ExplosiveStrength1 104 3 28 1 16 31
ExplosiveStrength2 108 3 29 1 17 32
ExplosiveStrength3 111 3 32 1 18 33
ExplosiveStrength4 116 3 33 1 18 34
ExplosiveStrength5 120 3 34 1 19 34
For replacement pads are these o.k.?
http://ycyhealth.com/products/tens/DrHos.shtml
In Canada,
http://www.drhonow.com/cgi-bin/dy04/dhitem.r?webid=167404&famid=348129&cur=CDN
Also for the EMS unit at this site http://ycyhealth.com MAKE SURE IN THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION YOU PUT THE CURRENT EXCHANGE RATE OF 1.23 OR OTHERWISE YOU WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL 8 DOLLARS CDN FOR NO REASON!
Technical Specifications of EMS 6500
Channels Dual channel
Modes Synchronous (S), Constant ©and Alternate (A)
Pulse Amplitude Constant current 0 ~ 80 mA peak into 500 ohm load each channel; adjustable
Pulse Width 50 - 300 micro-second adjustable pulse width
Pulse Waveform Asymmetric biphasic square pulse wave with zero net direct current
Pulse Frequency 2 - 120 Hz
Timer 60 sets of operation records, 999 hours record time
Pulse Ramp 1-8 seconds
Contraction/ Relaxation Variable control (2-99 sec)
Battery 9 v alkaline battery
Dimension 59mm (L) x 100mm (H) x 24mm (W)
Weight 150g (including battery)
Tolerance All values have +/- 10% tolerance
Charlie are you sure you looked at the right EMS machine? This one has the 50sec off time (relaxation time) does it not?
Can you buy two EMS Machines to use a crossover pattern on both hamstrings?
Could be a different machine
Charlie, Tell me what you think!
http://www.ycyhealth.com/products/tens/ME/EMS6500.shtml
Currently out of stock, 2months till new stock arrives!
charlie ive read the whole chapter of EMS on CFTS but id doesnt really say the type of contraction that lasts for the whole ten seconds.
Is it the type of pulse that goes like in an on/off sequence or that which is continous and is fast that you cant feel when its on or off?
Definitely ‘continous’ and something you are supposed to/will feel when its on.
Best wishes,
Erik