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EMS training is having a major impact on the studio and gym market and being used by athletes, celebrities and also for rehabilitation. We talk to a select group of studio owners to hear how they’re maximising the versatility of this type of training
The UK boutique fitness market is rapidly expanding - in London alone, there are currently 278 studios, offering over 15,000 classes each week.
This means finding a unique selling point has to be a top priority for any prospective studio owner. Electro Muscle Stimulation (EMS) training is helping many to do just that.
The potential for integrating an EMS service is vast. Facilities can choose to provide a bespoke EMS offering, market it as an additional package or marry it with other services.
Time to get on board
With the London Boutique Studio Report showing the EMS market grew in value by 281 per cent in the last five years, the potential for prospective studio owners is huge.
The secret to success lies in offering a service that is unique, innovative and effective. EMS is extremely versatile, bringing clear results, all in a time-efficient, accessible and innovative manner. There’s never been a better time to get on board.
E-Pulsive - Bespoke EMS boutique studio
E-Pulsive is a personal training boutique studio, running EMS sessions in South Kensington.
When initially set up, the E-Pulsive service concentrated on mobile at-home training, growing organically until it was viable to set up in a studio space. The brand is now a favoured partner for the rich and famous, training everyone from Victoria's Secret models to well-known actors and maximising this exposure through social media.
Mario Kaspers, CEO, E-Pulsive Ltd, explains, "People lead busy lives. They don’t have the time to spend three hours in the gym, but long for the physical benefits of having done so.
"Our clients want a quick solution. That is what makes EMS training so appealing. They can get in and out in 20 minutes but are guaranteed visible results – from weight-loss to strength improvements and muscle toning.
"When you see the incredible progress EMS brings, you can’t help but talk about it – our business has gone from strength to strength through word of mouth.
"We currently run studios in New York City and Dallas, and with the success we’re seeing here in the UK, the potential for growth is great.
"Our current focus is to set up a franchise model for the business and to expand our network of top trainers and clients.”
For more information and to book a free EMS trial session, visit: www.be-a-first-mover.com.
Tribal - Sport, health and performance studio
Tribal is a training facility based in Chertsey. Specialists in endurance sports coaching and health transformations, the team’s client base consists mostly of professionals and business owners training for health transformation and endurance sports such as cycling, swimming, running and triathlon.
Since introducing EMS to their original coaching service over six months ago, the business has dramatically increased profitability. The team has attracted new clients with EMS, and, approximately 50 per cent of existing clients have added EMS to their training week. They are now looking to expand further.
Paul Roberts, head coach and owner of Tribal discusses the successes with EMS, saying: “EMS is the perfect complement to our studio. The broad-spectrum benefits of EMS appeal to a large cross-section of our clients. One of our main client groups, the endurance athletes, rarely values the importance of investing time in strength training – preferring to focus on logging miles over any athletic development.
“Injury rates are high in endurance sports because of the repetitive nature of the activity and the athletes rarely decide to move well, before they move often. With EMS, athletes can easily make the time for a weekly strength session that focuses on movement quality and gives a complete muscle contraction, inclusive of their fast-twitch muscle fibres.
“Many of our guys are simply never exposed to the use of these dormant fibres and their functionality is increased significantly in a short period of time. Our clients are seeing the results of this first-hand, with personal best performances and improved recovery and mobility.
“With so much interest in such a short time frame, we’re confident we’ll double our EMS delivery over the coming months.”
ARC Active - EMS Personal Training Studio
Arc Active, in Bridgwater, offers EMS training for weight loss, body transformation, muscle building and injury rehab.
Working closely with their parallel chiropractic business, Arc Active has built a huge client base through rehab referrals and clear success stories. They are now looking to develop specific 10-minute injury rehab EMS programmes that focus on treating the injured area and give clients an introduction to the training method in order to build confidence.
Tina Copp, business owner, Arc Active says: “EMS technology is helping to bridge the gap between effective rehabilitation and injury prevention, and training for muscle toning, weight-loss and strength.
“We’ve grown a large proportion of our client base through referrals from our chiropractic business. It works. Even after just one session, they feel the physical benefits of EMS to the point where they no longer need regular chiropractic treatment.
“For example, one of our clients had injured her knee and walking was painful. All other gym workouts were putting too much strain on the joints and subsequently she gained lots of weight from being immobile.
“Since using EMS, her knee has fully recovered, she’s off her pain medications and has lost 17 inches off her body. We’ve shown so many people the power of EMS. Ninety per cent of clients sign up to a full course after just the first session. It’s an amazing retention tool.”
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