EMS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Some of the your questions have probably been addressed under EMS FAQ.

WHAT IS BODY SHAPERS?

Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) is a revolutionary muscle exercise concept for use in your own home. Our Body Shapers EMS systems are portable, light weight electronic units that have been scientifically designed and proven to exercise body muscles fast, efficiently & effectively through a series of stimulated contraction & relaxation phases. For years Soviet and Eastern bloc Olympic contenders have used muscle stimulators to build the same rippling muscles that steroids promise. Now the practice has finally reached the West. Body Shapers EMS is recommended for anyone participating in bodybuilding, power lifting, martial arts, boxing, or anyone simply wishing to achieve their optimal athletic physique. EMS is used extensively throughout the world. The Medical Advisory Committee has allowed the use of EMS systems by athletes since 1972 Olympic. Bodybuilders, professional athletes, physiotherapist, sports doctors, US/Canadian Track and Field athletes use EMS systems to supplement their routines.

HOW DOES EMS WORK?

The main Body Shaper EMS/TENS unit haS various outlets known as channels. Each channel will have a series of wire connections with two rubber pads attached at the end of each channel. A complete pictorial body placement chart is provided. The Body Shaper unit delivers a gentle electronic impulse to your muscles via the soft rubber pads (which you place over different muscle groups). Your muscles will respond to the impulse by contracting and relaxing rhythmically as instructed by you through the unit. When a muscle contracts as a result of a unique Body Shaper signal, the chemical changes taking place within the muscles are similar to those associated with voluntary contractions in "normal exercising". These chemical reactions which results from muscle contractions utilize glycogen, fat and other nutrients stored in the muscle. These resulting series of muscle contractions will enable an individual to build, tone, strengthen, and combat flabbiness and improve contour.

Just strap it on while you're resting, reading, net surfing or watching TV, and watch your body transform right before your eyes.

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WHAT IS TENS?

Pain is the body's warning system. It is a way of letting an individual know that something is wrong. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulations (TENS) is a safe non-invasive drug-free method of pain management. It relieves pain by sending small electrical impulses through electrodes placed on the skin to underlying nerve fibers. TENS is believed to work by two different mechanisms. First, electrical stimulation of the nerve fibers can block a pain signal from being carried to the brain. If the signal is blocked, pain is not perceived. Secondly, the body has its own mechanism for suppressing pain. It does this by releasing natural chemicals called endophins in the brain which act as analgesics. TENS may activate this mechanism. By effectively managing pain without drugs, TENS allows many people with chronic pain conditions to resume daily activity.

All our Body Shaper systems come with the added benefit of TENS/continues mode.

Your Body Shaper EMS/TENS system can be used for treatment of back pain, lumbago, sciatica, tension, headache, tennis elbow, sports strains and sprains, damaged ligaments and all muscle related injuries.

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IS EMS SAFE TO USE?

This is a question often asked of us. Developed in England over 40 years ago by a team of scientists and doctors, EMS is used extensively in hospitals, beauty salons, health clubs and spas as part of the beauty regime and by physiotherapists and sports medicine to treat those annoying sports strains and sprains. Electronic Muscle Stimulator (EMS) is quite safe for any individual capable of taking normal exercise.

You can not strain or sprain your muscles by overworking them with your electronic muscle stimulator system because the feeling is more like a pleasant tingling sensation than a shock or jolt.

However, the following should not use electronic muscle stimulators (EMS): THOSE THAT ARE PREGNANT, USE A PACE MAKER, HAVE METAL PLATES OR PINS, HAVE DIABETICS OR HAVE ABNORMALLY HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

Just as with starting any new exercise program, if in doubt, consult your physician.

WHAT CONTROLLED MEDICAL STUDIES SAY ABOUT EMS

"Most programs designed to increase muscle strength involve active exercises carried out by patient in isokinetic mode. Although those methods do result in an increase of muscle strength, it appears that tetanizing electrical stimulation using farad current is more effective method of building strength in the muscle." (M. Godfrey, M.D) Wellesley Hospital, published in physiotherapy Canada Vol. 31 No. 5.

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EASY TO USE ANYWHERE

All of our Body Shapers combination EMS & TENS home exercisers are portable, lightweight and compact, you can use them anywhere. At home, travelling, even at work. Each unit comes with it's own carrying case, larger models have briefcases. A forty-five minute treatment of Electronic Muscle Stimulator (EMS) at average intensity can be equivalent to three hundred sit-ups, one hundred push-ups, and one hundred scissor lifts. Electronic Muscle Stimulators (EMS) does not substitute for cardio-vascular.

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BIPHASIC & MONOPHASIC FEATURES

With the Biphasic waveform, the current travels in both directions and as a result, allows for even distribution of electrical stimulation from both pads, allowing symmetrical development of the muscle. With the Monophasic waveform, the current only travels in one direction, the power on each pad is not as evenly distributed as in a Biphasic machine. (ie.. one pad is appears to be weaker), so it is necessary to pair the pads from each channel on one muscle group.

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ALTERNATING/RECIPROCATING FEATURES

This button enables you to work opposing muscle groups at the same time; ie. biceps and triceps. When normal mode is selected, all channels will contract and relax at the same time; However, when the alternating/reciprocating function is selected, even channels will be on and odd channels will be off during one cycle and will switch back and forth with subsequent cycles. The main advantages of using this function is to reduce workout time and hence decrease result time.

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HOW ABOUT EMS FOR SPORTS INJURIES?

When a physical injury occurs such as sprains or strains, the body rushes fluids to the traumatized area, causing an unbalance within the localized spot. With conventional treatment of sports injury due to muscle spasm, strains or sprains, the first line of defence is to apply ice, compression, elevation and rest. By applying ice to the affected area, you aim to reduce swelling and bruising. Through the application of a muscle stimulator, the blood vessels surrounding the injured site are made to constrict and decrease circulation, allowing the body to heal more rapidly. Those with re-occurring hamstring problems, sore knee, week ankles or strained elbows benefit from Body Shapers EMS/TENS. Along with conventional treatments and a good physiotherapist, your Body Shaper EMS/TENS helps reduce rehabilitation time by helping control swelling, strengthening weak muscles, and, along with TENS frequency, helps to reduce pain which result in an athletes normal recovery time from injury to be shortened.

EMS can also be used to promote recovery after exercise. Using a unit at a low intensity setting will cause the muscle to be flushed and help remove the toxins that build up after a work-out. This prevention of free radical damage means that the muscle recovers quicker and thus has more time for growth!

When the need for explosive power, quick reaction time and improved speed is fundamental to a sport, EMS can provide the answer. Many of today's sports, particularly boxers, martial artists and sprinters all rely heavily on these qualities. Electronic Muscle Stimulation can aid in all of these factors since it enables the body to become accustomed to short, sharp, and intense muscular contractions.

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ANSWERS TO EMS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EMS

HOW MANY EMS TREATMENTS WILL I NEED?
More often than not, improvement can be felt after your very first session. The speed of maximum improvement depends entirely upon the condition of your muscles at the beginning. On average, using your Body Shaper EMS/TENS unit regularly, good improvements are noticeable 4-6 weeks of consistent treatments.

HOW LONG DO EMS RESULTS LAST?
Like any form of exercise, the results are never permanent unless you do something to maintain them. We suggest daily treatment from onset for a minimum of three weeks, with 2-3 sessions weekly thereafter. By having 2-3 sessions per week, you should be able to maintain your results. Remember though, EMS does not "burn calories", so do not increase your calorie consumption.

DO I NEED SPECIAL TRAINING?
All units come complete with easy to use instructional manual which has various pictorial pad placement charts. However, our consultants are available to answer any of your queries or provide a free demonstration whenever possible.

WILL I DEVELOP ATHLETIC LOOKING MUSCLES?
There are various forms of muscle movement - Passive Exercise being one. Your Body Shaper EMS system is ideal for just toning, firming and tightening and strengthening. However special athletic level units are also available for aiding in building and bulking.

Our athletic Body Shaper units provides body builders with a safe scientific alternative to steroids. Natural (drug free) bodybuilders will now be able to produce the same phenomenal gains in muscle size and strength that was before only available to steroid users. The benefits of EMS are so widely accepted that even NASA is currently studying its usage in space by astronauts.

Your Body Shaper EMS/TENS muscle Exerciser should be used in conjunction with a regular weight training routine when trying to build bulk. You can use your Body Shaper system on the muscles that you've just worked out on a given day for about 15-45 minutes after the workout. You can also use your Body Shaper EMS system before training (to pre-exhaust a muscle) and during training(to make exercise more intense). If you're participating in a sport that does not require a weight training regiment, EMS can be used every day or every 48 hrs.

I AM OVER 50, AND HAVE POOR MUSCLE TONE.
CAN EMS HELP ME ?
EMS works well for all age groups. If your muscles require a lot of improvements, the results seem even more dramatic.

CAN I LOSE WEIGHT WITH E.M.S.?
To burn calories you must expend energy, as E.M.S. is "Passive Exercise" this is not possible. The Body Shaper EMS system is specifically designed for toning, tightening, firming and strengthening slack muscles, and does this very well.

However, when Body Shapers EMS treatments are combined with our Weight loss products you will loose weight while acquiring a slimmer, trimmer, firmer and toned figure.

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