What is EMS training? How to boost metabolism and kickstart your fitness with a full body workout routine

Have you heard of EMS training!?  EMS refers to Electrical Muscle Stimulation and whilst it has been around a while, it is still a fairly new concept in the UK and not that well known yet but it is a fantastic way to kickstart a fitness programme.  I tried it out recently, I completed three weeks of EMS training sessions with Karl at Frequency EMS in Reading. And my blog post will explain more about what it is and how I got on including what it felt like!

EMS training is an innovative approach that can give significant results in much less time compared to the more traditional workouts we are used to.  An EMS session works all your major muscle groups in just 20 minutes, it's a full-body workout designed to help you achieve your fitness goals and improve your overall health over a shorter period of time.

This is a gifted blog post.

What is EMS training!? I tried it out with Karl at Frequency EMS in Reading.

An introduction to EMS training

EMS or Electrical Muscle Stimulation uses powerful technology to deliver electronic impulses to activate your muscles, it is like giving your muscle fibres a direct stimulation, to improve body composition, metabolic rate, muscle tone and strength.  

​The EMS machine targets muscle groups with the intense muscle contractions while you complete a personal training session tailored for your specific needs, level of fitness and goals.  EMS is all about optimising results whilst saving time!  One 20 minute session is the equivalent of approx 2 hours of a traditional workout.  Used and loved by elite athletes, EMS has definitely been gaining in popularity in recent years.  Heidi Klum and Madonna are said to be fans!

What does EMS training actually entail?

​I had two sessions a week, with my personal trainer, Karl from Frequency EMS, one at home and one at his studio in Reading.  The EMS device that Karl uses is completely portable meaning he can travel to you (Karl is based in Reading, Berkshire but happy to travel to the surrounding areas, get in touch for more details).

First you need to wear the EMS suit, it is basically a pair of shorter gym leggings and a long sleeve top, the EMS electrodes are connected to you and then to the EMS machine! Basically plugging you in!  There is an EMS vest that you wear as well as additional straps for glutes, upper legs, abdominal muscles, and biceps.  The EMS device is switched on and you will feel a tingling sensation as the machine sends electrical impulses to your muscles, this will cause them to contract and help you to achieve better results in a short period of time.

Your personal trainer will start slowly, only turning the electric impulses up as and when you are happy, so you can adjust and get used to the sensation.  The whole body workout will also be adjusted to suit your fitness levels and individual needs.  You'll be guided through the entire workout to make sure you maintain a high metabolic state and get the absolute best calorie burn possible!

My first session was strength training, something I enjoy and is part of my regular exercise regime.  No other equipment is needed, body weight is absolutely fine but I did use some hand held weights as I have them!  It is painless, but the tingling sensation takes time to get used to, it is like a gentle vibration that increases in intensity to allow you to perform each exercise. At times it did feel quite intense, you certainly feel your muscles contracting!  And I needed plenty of guidance from Karl to coordinate and properly follow his instructions.

My next session was at his studio in Reading.  There is easy parking outside, Karl shares the space with his partner who runs a hairdressing salon, there is a shower room and changing area and the gym studio is sectioned off for privacy.  This session was based on a cardiovascular workout and whilst it was pretty hard, I did enjoy it and was very pleased with myself when I completed it without giving up! There is a post-exercise mood boosting feeling!  It is therefore great for those prone to low mood.

After each 20 minute workout, the EMS technology switches to a short recovery session which flushes out lactic acid build-up and helps to avoid DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) and aids muscle recovery, you can lay down and relax or simply allow yourself to perform a relaxed stretch.  It was a welcome relief after the intensity of the workouts and I didn't ache too much in the few days after my EMS workouts!

Benefits of EMS training

• Improve strength.
• Improve mood.
• Manage weight.
• Boost metabolism and burn fat.
• Improve circulation.
• Alleviates muscular back pain.
• Helps maintain muscle mass.
• Improves muscle tone.
• Simple, quick and easy!

What else do I need to do to get optimum results from EMS?

​Whilst following an EMS personal training plan, it is important to take a holistic approach to your health and fitness.  You will see significant improvements if you are also following a healthy diet which includes creating a calorie deficit.  Ideally try and carry on with your regular workouts, I was still doing a weekly snackable workout online, and I made sure I was eating a balanced diet and drinking plenty of water.  

If you have weight loss goals it is important to discuss these with your personal trainer and you should also check in with your doctor to make sure that you are fit enough to start a more strenuous training regimen, also make sure your EMS provider is a certified EMS trainer with the correct qualifications and experience.

Recent studies have shown that EMS training can significantly improve muscle strength and body composition but you have to put the work in too!

My results from EMS training

Now to be completely transparent, after my initial sessions, I got Covid and had to put all my workouts on hold.  As I was really quite sick for nearly 3 weeks and then suffering from fatigue as well, I had to cease any further EMS training and go back to a gentle workout routine to get my fitness back up first.  This was incredibly frustrating as my plan was to use EMS to kickstart my 2024 and help me get fit for my ski holiday in early April.  Covid was not in that plan.

However, from the sessions I did do, I felt it was intense, but positive, I am not naturally a lover of exercise and having something to boost my performance that I really had to focus on was a good thing.  I'm the one at the back of the class doing the bare minimum!  EMS allowed me to have one-to-one personal training sessions and up the momentum to achieve results.  I felt stronger after each session and keen to stick to a healthier diet.  

Karl at Frequency EMS is an experienced personal trainer and qualified, licensed EMS trainer, he offers various packages to enable you to access EMS either as part of a regular fitness routine or to kickstart your workouts.  He offers both studio and at home sessions (within a reasonable radius of Reading) and there is a trial session available.

Do check out my Instagram reel, where you can see me doing an EMS workout!

Let me know if you have tried EMS or if you'd like to!

Love from
Michelle xx


Disclaimer: my EMS sessions were gifted to me, my blog post is an honest and fair summary of how I got on.

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