purchasing EMS units

[RB34]

@gciriani

You are right, parameters depend on the unit, and there is quite a bit of knowledge that goes with EMS training. I’m finding out more and more that in the USA, for cultural reasons there isn’t a lot of knowledge disseminated among users and practitioners alike.

I can tell you for instance that 250 microseconds of phase duration is OK for arms and pecs, but definitely insufficient for abs, quadriceps and calf. Also, with higher microsecond phase duration, the stimulation is is stronger at the same current level, with the result that you are either more comfortable, or be able to go higher in current intensity, or both.

Also if you train for Maximum strength you may want to go from 75 Hz to 100 Hz. 120 Hz won’t give you the same results, because it will stimulate more explosive strength fibers (which typically give you speed but have less force in them); it may actually be detrimental to maximum strength, as it will progressively transform some of your maximum strength fibers into explosive strength fibers.

Other parameters often neglected are work time, rest time and ramp time:[ul]
[li]Maximum strength: 10 sec work / 15 sec rest;
[/li][li]Explosive strength: 6 sec. work, 20 sec. rest;
[/li][li]Ramp about 1.5 sec, more will waste your energy and take away from your training, less will probably be less comfortable and prompt you to keep down mA intensity.
[/li][/ul]

For the above reasons, and because one cannot afford a personal EMS trainer with him/her all the time, you are better off with a more professional unit that has all of the parameters programmed depending on the training goal.

Pad placement is equally important, and there are devices that have that on screen. Here is a good web page with pad placement videos.

At what mA level do you set your unit? On what muscle groups do you attach the pads. And where do you place them?

Rest times look too short and I perfer Charlie pad placement chart.