What Is Electrical Muscle Stimulation?

Any abdominal muscle toning belt that you come across will tout their use of the revolutionary technology known as electrical muscle stimulation. Many people have attested to the effectivity of this process not just for muscle toning and strengthening, but for other purposes as well. What is EMS exactly?

Also known as Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) or Electromyostimulation, EMS uses electrical pulses generated by the machine and sent through electrodes to the part of the body being stimulated. This process imitates signals from the nervous system sent during physical activity, causing muscles to expand and contract repeatedly.

EMS is the result of years of experimentation and research on the effects electrical currents can generate on muscles. This technology is now used in sports training, physical therapy, and as a cosmetic tool as in the case of ab flex belts. Therapists utilize EMS with patients who have suffered injuries to bones, muscles, joints, ligaments or tendons, using EMS to prevent muscle atrophy.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recognized the positive effects of abdominal belts utilizing EMS, and ab belts with FDA approval are to be marketed as over-the-counter devices. Before buying one, make sure it is approved for use by the FDA. Also be aware of certain restrictions on the use of ab toning belts. The FDA discourages certain individuals from wearing an ab muscle belt, such as those wearing pacemakers, or are pregnant, menstruating, or suffering from burns and skin irritations, among others. 

All You Need To Know About Ab Belts

If you are looking to lose weight and get in shape, the most surefire ways to trim down in size and achieve that great-looking body you have always wanted are eating right, following a strict diet, and getting into an exercise or workout regimen, either at home or at a local gym or fitness center. Aside from the aesthetic benefits of working out and good nutrition, an active lifestyle and in-shape physique also keep you from common health problems associated with being overweight or living a sedentary lifestyle.

Many people would love to be more in shape, or finally achieve that slim body and six-pack abs, but just cannot find enough time to commit to working out. This has brought about the popularity of quicker, easier ways to lose weight, such as fitness drinks, crash diets, fitness equipment, and even surgical procedures. Some of these are effective, but others just cash in on the trend for easier fitness procedures and do not really deliver on their advertised promises.

One example of fitness devices that have proliferated within the last few years is the abdominal flex belt. These machines, worn around the abdomen, promote muscle toning using electronic muscle stimulation or EMS. EMS sends the electric pulses through the muscle endings and nerves, and this causes contraction and expansion of the abs.

However, ab belts are only designed to help with the toning and definition of the muscles, not as a weight loss machine. If you already have a diet and/or fitness routine, it is best to continue with that program and just add in the use of an ab belt. On the other hand, people with excess weight especially around the abdominal area need to trim that area first in order to see results from their ab belt. These machines are meant to supplement good eating habits and physical activity.