10 Best Electric Muscle Stimulators | Review Of EMS Technology | 2022 Buyer's Guide
We have aggregated all the important information about EMS and TENS gadgets. You will find a review of 5 muscle stimulators and will be able to choose the best one.
What is the best muscle stimulator? Don’t make a mistake — use only trusted brands when it comes to your health! It is important that the device has a varying intensity of electrical stimulation and the optimal treatment time. Since you will use the unit regularly, rechargeable models have an advantage over battery-run ones. In our assessment, PlayMakar PRO meets all the criteria and can be considered the most effective gadget in the market.
EMS Electric Muscle Stimulators Compared
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| 2. iReliev® | |
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| 3. Compex | |
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| 4. Slendertone | |
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| 5. The Flex bottom muscle stimulator | |
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The product has become popular among many sportsmen. So Frederik Van Lierde, a Belgian professional triathlete and world champion, thanked the company for contributing to his success: “Compex helps me in every concept to improve. To recover faster and better so that I can train harder to get stronger.”
Best Electric Muscle Stimulators
- Best EMS Machine
- 1. PlayMakar PRO Electrical Muscle Stimulator | Best for Athletes & Bodybuilding
- 2. iReliev® Wireless TENS + EMS Machine — Best for the Money
- 3. Compex Edge Muscle Stimulator Kit for Pain Treatment, Back Pain, Rehabilitation, Muscle Growth & Strength — Best Professional
- 4. iReliev ET-7070 Wired Muscle Stimulator | Best Cheap
- 5. Compex Mini Wireless Electric Muscle Stimulator | Smartphone Compatible
- 6. Electro Muscle Stimulators for Abdomen & Bottom
Gadgets acting on human muscles with the help of electricity have been existing on the market for dozens of years. Their reputation has undergone changes during this period. First portable muscle stimulators were insanely famous and immediately became TV shop hits as ads promised quick muscle growth without much effort. Disappointment in EMS followed soon enough once people realized that it’s impossible to become a jock without training and dieting.
However, EMS gadgets did not disappear over time as the consumers still managed to find use in them. Obviously, they won’t turn a skinny geek into Conan the Barbarian, but they will help during recovery or as pain therapy. Pro athletes use them during complicated training sessions or when rehabilitating after injuries. Add to that the fact that it is a drug-free method, and you will understand what a beneficial approach it is.
Electrical Muscle Stimulation has long been known to humanity. Scientists discovered electricity’s ability to cause motion in human muscles back in the 18th century. However, no useful application to the invention was found for the first century and a half. No scientist went further than weird experiments (oh look, a dead squirrel’s paw is jerking!) and fantasies about Frankenstein.
How USSR Wanted to Increase the Strength of Weightlifters by 40%
Soviet scientists realized that electrical muscle stimulation hides a load of potential in the 1970s. They began to study the possibilities of using electricity for the rehabilitation of paralyzed patients and for increasing athletes’ muscles.
NCBI has published an interesting article devoted to those experiments. Soviet researchers set incredible goals as they aimed to improve weightlifters’ strength by 40% with EMS. They believed that combining muscular stimulation with conventional training would lead to outstanding achievements.
It is at that time that USSR became the world leader in all weightlifting sports. This could indirectly confirm this new technology's effectiveness, but the experiments' results were quite contradictory.
Soviet science concentrated on the medical application of EMS, and the idea abandoned by the Soviets was revitalized in the USA where clever businessmen decided to make money on people’s desire to have a perfect body with minimum effort.
Does Electrical Muscle Stimulation Work?
First, portable muscle stimulators and wonderbelts promising to develop abs and pumped biceps with zero stress appeared in the 80s. Allegedly, you could watch TV and grow muscles. Soon, the authorities intervened in the market of EMS gadgets. None of them received a certificate of a weight-loss device. Ads promoting the non-existing properties of these devices were also banned.
According to the FDA, EMS was certified as a means of treating muscular atrophy and spasms but not as a muscle growth stimulator.
Nowadays, EMSs are sold both for medical and athletic purposes. They are recommended for recovering and strengthening muscular tissue, for support during complex training, improving blood flow, as well as for treatment of some musculoskeletal diseases. Some experts insist that combining training with EMS results in synergic muscular growth. This hypothesis has neither been 100% proved nor refuted.
There is a number of studies that have proven the effectiveness of EMS in improving sportsmen's strength and jumping ability. Tests conducted with the participation of rugby players showed improvements not only in strength but also in power. A study on groups of tennis and soccer players has indicated a positive impact of EMS treatment on sportsmen's performance as well.
Our body is designed so that electricity contracts muscular fibers. EMS imitates our central nervous system so that the correct setting of the electric signal can help you bring such contractions closer to healthy training. Muscular movement guarantees to accelerate blood flow in the veins, can have an impact on the production of lactic acid, and improve muscular elasticity.
It’s important to distinguish EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). EMS-marked gadgets act on muscles directly while the impulse of TENS devices is set to affect the nerves.
EMS (Electric Muscle Stimulator) causes relaxation, and blood flow recovery and creates conditions for muscle growth, while TENS helps eliminate neck pain, arthritis, sciatica, and other forms of neuritis. These gadgets are suggested as good therapy for chronic pain.
By the way, TENS is ancient technology. Ancient Romans made people with leg aches stand on electric fish, as historical sources testify. In the 19th century, doctors officially confirmed the effectiveness of electrical treatment.
The bottom line is, to make sure you can tell EMS and TENS apart, even though certain gadgets combine these technologies with varying levels of success.
Can Electric Muscle Stimulators Help Grow Muscles?
As we have mentioned above, several studies have proven that when used in combination with training, an EMS unit can help sportsmen become stronger and faster. So Kayvan Seyri from Still University of Health Sciences based in Missouri has revealed that the application of electrical current to the muscle results in involuntary contractions.
Moreover, he refers to other studies indicating that there are differential results depending on whether an EMS machine has been used for a short period of time (less than 3 weeks) or a more extended period of time (about 12 weeks). This means that the technique has an accumulative effect or, put it otherwise, the more you use the device, the better the result is.
Expensive and powerful medical equipment can maintain the muscles of paralyzed patients. Ultra-expensive sports EMS machines are used to train top athletes of the world. Perhaps these gadgets even tone their muscles. However, no mass-market product has yet proven its ability to grow the buyers’ biceps and triceps.
Jerry Brainum, a nutritionist, draws attention to one crucial detail: during regular exercise, our body first activates small and weak muscular fibers followed by larger ones. In comparison, EMS first involves the latter fibers (larger ones followed by weak ones). It seems that under such circumstances, the muscles are bound to grow, but the expert refers to scientific research and disappoints us by saying that this works in theory only.
Effective muscle growth is possible only if gadgets 60 times as powerful as the ones existing today are used (the impulses, though, will no longer be safe for human health).
Brainum also refers to an experiment involving students. One group trained in the gym for 45 days, while the other group worked with EMS gadgets for the same period. Unfortunately, the second team was far behind in all metrics. Moreover, all of the test subjects were bored during the electric workout and craved to go to the gym. C’est la vie!
“The main factor for strength development (almost 60% depends on this and it’s even greater than muscular factors like muscle size) are the neuromuscular factors like motor unit recruitment and stimulus. This is the process where it acts,” he said.
Now, how and where exactly does this technology work? The idea is quite simple: the EMS equipment is supposed to elicit muscle activity by means of an electrical current.
Specialists from the University of Delaware note that this technology mimics the brain’s activity. The brain sends signals to the muscles that contract, responding to this stimulus. Something similar happens when the EMS machine is applied, where the brain’s function is performed by electrodes placed on the body’s skin. These electrodes pass the electrical current released by the machine, and this is how your muscles are stimulated.
How does EMS differ from muscle contractors?
Is there any difference between naturally contracting muscles and those stimulated by the machine? Yes, there are. When your muscles contract naturally, smaller motor units and slow-twitch, Type-I fibers are recruited first. And only then the Type-II fibers are activated. While EMS works in reverse order, bypassing neurological coordination, something that makes the stimulation faster.
Another important distinction is that the brain activates the fibers gradually, one by one. This conserves energy and prevents our bodies from being exhausted too fast. The EMS stimulation is harsher at it affects all motor units at once, resulting in all the fibers contracting simultaneously.
What are the physiological changes?
Muscle stimulation leads to physiological changes, which happen because the affected muscles adapt to their intense use. Specialists from the University of California note that different muscles are sensitive to different electrical inputs. While skeletal muscles are activated at low frequencies, those with a high proportion of fast fibers tend to respond to high frequencies and in a discontinuous way only.
They have found that as a result of 24-hour muscle stimulation at a frequency of 10 Hz, there was “a well-defined progression of changes” whereby “the fast muscle first changes it's metabolic and then its contractile properties to completely "transform" into a "slow" muscle”. So fast fibers turn into slow fibers, changing in appearance and obtaining a darker color. This means that the stimulated muscles can create a structure consistent with functional requirements.
What about weight loss? The number of calories burned during electric workouts is considered marginally low by Nicola A. Maffiuletti in his publication devoted to electric stimulation. Other scientists confirm this and emphasize that only physical exercise involving various muscle groups simultaneously leads to weight loss.
Of course, EMS is not surrounded by negative feedback only. The latest research proves the positive effect of electricity on the adaptation and learning of muscular fibers, improving their stamina and stress resistance, which is crucial to a systemic training approach.
Gadgets not only vary by the type of technology used (EMS or TENS). Other differences exist, such as in devices’ modes, in the power of the electric impulse, mobility or dimensions of a gadget.
EMS abs belts are the most popular. Specific sensors are designed to train legs and arms. However, nowadays, the market is flooded with universal devices connecting various sensors to the control section. They are convenient as they can be attached to various body parts to activate different muscle groups simultaneously.
An FDA certificate is crucial for products distributed in the USA. It is only legal to sell certified devices; the consumers will bear all the risks at their own expense if they buy uncertified units. We recommend you check the FDA database before buying a certain device, especially since the blacklist is constantly updated.
- First of all, EMS trainers have an extensive list of contraindications. Using these devices is contraindicated for pregnant women, heart disease patients, those who have cardio stimulators, and patients with renal insufficiency or chronic diseases of the digestive tract. Oncology or blood flow problems are also a reason for an EMS or TENS ban.
- Experts recommend consulting a physician before using any gadget, especially if you have recently been ill with flu, cold, broke a bone, ruptured a ligament, or damaged a muscle. Be careful with electricity!
- As for increasing the effectiveness of EMS, most manufacturers give the following recommendations. Instead of training your back, abs and ankles simultaneously, focus on each area. Even wiring both limbs disperses the current.
- Start the gadget when the muscles are relaxed, do not stimulate flexors and extensors at the same time. Be careful about fixing the sensor on a muscle, as improper fixation can give zero results.
Best Electric Muscle Stimulators
Best EMS Machine
1. PlayMakar PRO Electrical Muscle Stimulator | Best for Athletes & Bodybuilding
The PlayMakar® unit stands out among other new, young, and innovative brands that are engaged in the production of medical-grade athletic training muscle stimulators for professional athletes.
What makes it different from others is that the company’s team includes professional sportsmen. And, as you might be aware, these guys know the stuff better than anyone else.
This muscle stimulator features 14 different programs and 25 intensity levels. Also, it comes with 4 pods and a durable battery lasting up to 10 hours. A nice set of features, isn’t it? This is a great tool to recover faster, train stronger, warm-up safer, and manage pain easier.
So what do athletes say about the PlayMakar PRO?
Philadelphia 76ers’ basketball player Trey Burke is one of the athletes who has chosen this muscle stimulator. He takes the unit to warm up before a game and recover from workouts. Preparatory exercise is critical in such a demanding sport as basketball, which is why Trey has incorporated PlayMakar PRO into his warm-up.
Professional bodybuilder J Warren has been playing sports all his life. Today, PlayMakar PRO has become a critical tool for his preparations for competitions. “I’m speeding up my recovery so I can perform for my clients and me by using PlayMakar,” he says.
PlayMakar: Check the current price
2. iReliev® Wireless TENS + EMS Machine — Best for the Money
Why do I trust iReliev? This brand belongs to ExcelHealth, a company that develops FDA-cleared devices for electrical therapy, offering a wide range of products, including muscle stimulators.
The company's CEO, Mike Williams, has announced a finalist for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2019 Award. The award was established by Ernst & Young LLP, one of the world's largest professional services companies, and is among the most prestigious in the U.S.
Let’s start with the Wireless Therapeutic Wearable TENS and EMS System. It will cost you $189 and is significantly more affordable than Compex. That said, the device uses medical-grade technologies and shows high performance. The company bets on the simplicity and convenience of its products, which is why it is so user-friendly. You will be able to move around the house while getting treatment, and, from my experience, this encourages you to apply it more frequently, enhancing the effect.
With a weight of just two pounds, the device is rechargeable, which makes it more cost-efficient. As a rule, it takes about an hour and a half to charge the receiver and over two hours to charge the remote. The unit has a 1.22-inch LCD that is backlit for your convenience.
Add to that the unit’s portability and quick setup, and you have a truly indispensable machine you will always want to have. For better results, you may add extra pods, allowing you to cover a larger area of your body at a time.
While easy to use, the electric muscle stimulator is potent, effectively helping you to manage pain and recover the muscles. The device includes 14 programs, eight intended to mitigate pain. The timing can be set in five-minute increments for up to one hour per session. The product comes with a two-year warranty, which shows the manufacturer’s willingness to stand behind the product. But, if anything, you may return the stimulator within 45 days.
What do buyers say?
Customers seem to be fully satisfied with iReliev products, and some have even purchased more units for their family members. Check out this video by Rick, an American pilot working for the government who has been told that he needs shoulder replacement surgery. He was undergoing physical therapy, and his doctor suggested getting a machine at home. So he purchased one of the iReliev machines.
Rick says that since he started using the unit, he has got as good relief as he did at the therapist's office. Now he has a more excellent range of motion and less pain in his right shoulder and left foot. Rick set the machine on program five and an intensity level of 12, which is very intense. Of course, you may not need that level of intensity and can choose other settings if you like.
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Wireless iReliev®: Check the current price
3. Compex Edge Muscle Stimulator Kit for Pain Treatment, Back Pain, Rehabilitation, Muscle Growth & Strength — Best Professional
This is the most expensive gadget in our review; its price is 6-7 times higher than that of the main competitors.
First, we deal with a large Swiss brand. Compex is a manufacturer of medical and sports electronics, and many of its products are respected both by the mass audience and pro athletes. By no means is Compex a no-name brand, so your claims will surely be handled, should any arise.
This is the only device in this rating that promises to grow muscles without stressing the heart and lungs. The gadget’s main aim is still pain relief and improvement of blood circulation. The manufacturers promise to strengthen capillaries and improve muscle flexibility. Compex can increase blood flow up to 600 percent faster and reduce lactic acid production in 4-6 minutes.
The product description contains a vital disclaimer: Compex Edge is recommended for professional use so that athletes stay in shape. The brand is known to collaborate with pro athletes so that it can be trusted. The stimulator has four wires with two sensors each. Electrode sensors are made with the brand’s technology, and two sucker sizes are available. In the comments, the customers praise the gadget’s durability and long autonomous performance.
There are only three modes instead of dozens: muscle recovery, training, and intensive training. Each mode has been designed using medical expertise, and you can read all the details regarding lactic acid distillation and various muscle fiber exercises.
By the way, this is not a single product; there is a whole range of Compex stimulators. For instance, you can find a wireless stimulator and Sport Elite stimulator.
Compex Edge Muscle Stimulator Kit: Check the current price
4. iReliev ET-7070 Wired Muscle Stimulator | Best Cheap
You may buy an even less expensive model — iReliev ET-7070 TENS EMS Muscle Stimulator. Unlike the previous product, this one is wired and, therefore, less convenient. But keep in mind that you get it for half the cost.
That said, this model has become very popular among customers and is widely available on the market. This machine comes with the same number of programs and has 25 intensity levels. The therapy timer is adjustable and can be set for up to one hour of continuous use.
Compared with the wireless option, this model has a larger LCD (1.4 inches) but is smaller in size and is two times lighter. So if these features are important for you, ET-7070 may be precisely what you need. Based on customer reviews, I have concluded that this machine is especially popular with people who suffer from arthritis. One of the purchasers recommends the product for those who have to travel a lot because it is lightweight and easy to use but comes in a sturdy case.
I’d like to draw your attention to the fact that iReliev products are recommended by healthcare professionals. For example, Joe Noel, Physical Therapist in Florida, recommends the iReliev unit for treating pain and stimulating the muscles at home. Moreover, he has used this device in his clinical practice for many years, which is the clearest evidence of the product’s efficiency.
iReliev TENS + EMS Wired: Check the current price
5. Compex Mini Wireless Electric Muscle Stimulator | Smartphone Compatible
If you want something more portable, try this option. The unit connects to your smartphone and is Bluetooth-controlled from both Android and iOS devices. With a weight of 0.32 ounces, this mini electric muscle stimulator is very convenient in use. Since it is wireless, you will not be dependent on a power outlet. With this device, you will get your therapy anytime and anywhere you need it! The battery is rechargeable and lasts for up to 7 hours on a charge. The stimulator comes with 6 programs for different goals — enhancing blood flow, relieving muscle soreness, loosening stiff muscles, and pain relief.
Compex Mini: Check the current price
6. Electro Muscle Stimulators for Abdomen & Bottom
Owned by BioMedical Research Ltd., a trustworthy Irish manufacturer, the Slendertone brand has a large line of EMS for abs, arms, and bottom areas. Does it work? Yes, and it has been confirmed by clinical trials conducted by scientists at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. These trials have demonstrated that Slendertone stimulators do tone muscles and make them firmer.
The basic model of this brand is the Abdominal Toning Belt. Equipped with 12 programs and 100 adjustable intensity levels, it is ergonomic and comfortable to wear. The device runs on a rechargeable battery, allowing you to use it at home, in the office, or while on the go.
Do ab belts work? Yes, they do, provided you use them 30 minutes daily, several times a week. The CoreFit belt trains all 4 ab muscle groups, causing muscle contractions up to 150 times per 30 minutes.
For advanced users, we recommend the Slendertone Connect Abs, which is an app-controlled device. This allows for discreet control of the stimulation process, which is particularly helpful for those who use the device in public spaces.
For the bottom area, it produces THE FLEX MINI with a high-performance EMS muscle toning system that will firm and lift your glutes.
To have more muscular biceps and triceps, opt for the Slendertone Arms Muscle Trainer. Designed to be wrapped around arms, the trainer fits upper arms circumference of 10 to 19.5 inches. It offers 3 programs (conditioning, strength, and power) and 99 intensity levels. The device will stimulate your arm muscles through short and powerful contractions.
Expert Opinion: Lauren Streicher, MD, Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Lauren Streicher, MD, is a clinical professor board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. She received training at Northwestern University, McGaw Medical Center and Michael Reese Medical Center. She has several publications on the treatment of menopause-related issues. Dr. Streicher is also engaged in advising and consulting for Church & Dwight Co., Inc. and DEKA Research & Development Corporation.
How Does Muscle Stimulation Feel? Lauren Streicher: “Let’s face it, muscle stimulation sounds really scary, almost like some medieval torture device. But nothing can be further from the truth. I have so many patients who have muscle stimulation therapy either in the pelvic floor physical therapist's office or when using it at home. And no one has ever said that it is in any way is painful or even uncomfortable. It is just not an issue. And you control it! That’s the beauty of it. It allows you to set your level of muscle stimulation, which might start out very low when your muscles are very weak but then get stronger with time”.
Mr. America Heart, bodybuilder: How often do I use the EMS machine and when?
Well, I only use it after I have trained that specific muscle group for the day. And I won't use it until later on that day. After I'm done with my conventional weight training in the gym, I give myself the chance to eat a couple of meals and then, later on, I'll crank that thing up, and I'll turn it on to that muscle group that I hit. And I'll get a good workout on that machine. It's passive on my arms. It's just contracting the muscles very hard for me to get an ultra-high-intensity contraction in the muscle. And I find it can stimulate the growth a little bit deeper than I'm capable of doing just with my own brain and me trying to flex that muscle as far as I can against the weights. So it's far more intense, and to me, it's an addition to conventional weight training.
So how often do I do this? I'm going through cycles where I'll use it for two or three weeks, and then I back off because it does raise the level of intensity course of a little training cycle very very high. So then I need some more recovery, and then I back off from it. Then I'll come back to it later on.
Sometimes I'll do an extra stimulating routine on that EMS machine where I'm getting super high-intensity contractions as if I'm doing the workout. But then, other times, if I recognize that I've done severely taxing work, it's more likely than not that I'll do a recovery workout using my EMS machine. So, later on, that day I'll hook up my EMS machine, and I'll let it run through the full cycle of constructions that flushes out the toxins and also helps the recovery of those muscles. I find it to be very helpful. It doesn't use a ton of nervous system energy at all. It's pure muscle. So to me, it's been very beneficial.
Best Electric Muscle Stimulators Comparative Table
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FAQ
What is the best muscle stimulator?
Compex and PlayMakar are the most trusted brands in the market, and their devices are used by many professional sportsmen, including champions. This is an excellent stimulator as, throughout a 6-minute treatment, your blood will flow 600 percent faster!
The best wireless for the money is iReliev TENS+EMS machine.
Read a detailed insight into trusted electric muscle stimulators in our Buyer's Guide - Best Electric Muscle Stimulator Reviews.
Apart from Compex Edge Silver, a standard option, there are other models of this brand: Wireless EMS and Sport Elite models. These devices have three times more modes and as many as 16 snap electrodes. So if you dream about great sports achievements, these ones are likely to contribute to your success.
How long does TENS treatment last?
It depends. Pain relief may last only as long as the device is operating or for a longer period — up to one day. In some cases, even though the pain returns after the treatment, it is not as intense as before the stimulation. Read more...
According to Ailsa Wright, a clinical nurse specialist at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals Trust, the more often you apply TNS therapy, the longer the effect is. In other words, it tends to accumulate.
On the other hand, repeated TENS treatment may result in increased tolerance to it. Therefore, there is no uniform rule on how long the therapy should last, with its recommended duration varying from 20 minutes to several hours.
Is TENS treatment safe?
Generally, this is a safe method of pain relief that does not involve any side effects. And yet, there is several contradictions in using these devices. Read more...
The UK Department of Health and Social Care website mentions the following ones. First, those people who have metal implants in their bodies should consult a doctor before applying this therapy. Secondly, it is not recommended for pregnant women and thirdly, this gadget should not be used by those who suffer from epilepsy or heart issues. Apart from that, the TENS pads may cause allergy symptoms in some people. This is why some manufacturers offer special pads for people with allergies.
How many modes should the unit have: 3 or 15?
It depends on whether the unit combines both EMS and TENS treatments or focuses on a single method. However, keep in mind that the rule "The more the better" should not be applied here as it is the technologies used that make the device effective.
Best-Selling Electric Muscle Stimulators | Comparative Table
Most Popular
TENS 7000 Digital TENS Unit with Accessories - by Amazon.com
- NEED PRESCRIPTION STRENGTH PAIN RELIEF? A TENS unit muscle stimulator and electric massager that provides pain relief acts as a muscle massager or shoulder massager provides carpal tunnel relief and acts as a muscle relaxer(great for muscle recovery)
- OVER 1M TENS 7000 DEVICES SOLD: A consumer over-the-counter favorite back pain relief device and a leader in physical therapy equipment for providing immediate and lasting drug-free muscle pain relief from back pain, neck pain, tennis elbow, and bursitis
- A LEADER SINCE 2008: A 10+ year favorite TENS device among medical professionals for delivering drug-free back pain relief as well as treating common ailments like neck pain, carpal tunnel relief, arthritis, shoulder, knee, elbow, leg, and foot pain
Compex Wireless USA 2.0 Muscle Stimulator w/TENS by Motion Store
- TENS PAIN MANAGEMENT - The Compex TENS program helps to decrease the intensity of pain and increase motion and function
- INCLUDES 10 PROGRAMS (4 Strength, 2 Warmup, 3 Recovery, 1 TENS) - Features 10 essential programs with 5 levels of progression that can help build strength, endurance, and battle back against sore muscles
- INCREASE EXPLOSIVE STRENGTH - The Resistance, Strength, and Explosive Strength programs are designed to activate fast-twitch, Type II muscle fibers (think power and force). By applying Compex technology to your muscles, you can increase explosive strength
Testing & Customers Reviews
We found reviews from real YouTube bloggers about the products from our article.
Everyman Reviews: "I started using the Compex Sport Elite 2.0 on my legs in the beginning. My quads my calves a little bit on the hamstrings and then I experimented with my arms and upper back. At first my focus was on recovery. I don't lift weights much anymore so swimming biking and running are all my workouts. So I was interested in the recovery aspect following long bike rides and long runs. I wasn't skeptical that it wouldn't be helpful but my first impression was it's probably better for someone who doesn't work out that much and want to get a little extra help without having to hit the gym or go outside. But I was pleasantly surprised by how much my muscles reacted to the Compex.
It looks complicated on the surface, but it's actually pretty simple to use. It comes with an electrode placement guide to show you how and where to place the self-adhesive electrodes based on the part of the body that you want to target. These blue squares are easy to place and each has snaps to connect to the Compex device. With a couple of pushes of the buttons, your program begins. It's that easy. The electrode placement guide is great because it has 27 diagrams showing you where to put the blue patches on your body and which parts of the body and muscles it targets. Before a few of my swim workouts, I would attach the electrodes to my shoulders and upper back in an effort to warm up my muscles, and it worked. I was actually looser. I was more prepared than going in cold and having to warm up in the water so I had a better swim set. I've even used the strength workout program on my biceps in the car during a long road trip. So you can stimulate your muscles just about anywhere. You can do it while you're working on your computer which I have done. You can do it while you're lying in bed, which I have done. And you can do it in the car on a long road trip which I have done. It makes the time go by faster too.
I can honestly say I use the Sports Compex three times a week. I love it because you can target specific muscle groups and it doesn't take that much time, 25-33 minutes. And you're not really doing a workout because it's doing the work for you. Sports training, muscle development, post-workout, recovery - with this Compex Sport Elite you can exercise more muscle fibers in less time, increase your sports performance, recover faster, and give your muscles a proper warm-up they need before your next workout or activity. It's like a mini-training partner that you can take anywhere."
AskDoctorJo: "I love TENS units. I think when they're used in conjunction with exercises and stretches, they can give you a lot of pain relief. What I love about iReliev Wireless TENS / EMS Therapeutic Wearable System is, first of all, that it's wireless. Wireless is such a neat concept now because even though just traditional units are great and they work fine, a lot of times there's a lot of wires all over the place. And with TENS and EMS units, you can wear them while you're doing things, stretches and exercises, or even just doing out-and-about activities. So when it's wireless, it's more convenient. It's less noticeable if you don't want people to see what's going on.
You've got the TENS and EMS components here. TENS is transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and so really that's working those surface nerves. It is specifically for pain control. That's what you're using a TENS unit for. EMS is electrical muscle stimulation, and that's actually working the muscles. They are two different types of currents, so you really don't want to use one for the other. If you just want to do pain control, you're trying to relax, maybe you're trying to do a stretch, and it hurts, use the TENS. If you're trying to get some of that muscle retraining back, or if you've done a workout and your muscles are fatigued and you want to kind of help them recover, then you use the EMS.
It's got 14 different modes total for the TENS and the EMS so it's got a lot of options for you, which is really nice. And so what I just think is so important and they've done a great job is their instructional manual. Not only they tell you how to set everything up but what I really like, and I think people appreciate this as well, is it goes through each setting. It tells you not only the benefits of which ones they do, but what you're supposed to feel with it. And this is important."
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