Taking up just 20 minutes per week, a new EMS (electromyostimulation) based hybrid training method has arrived in the UK – miha bodytec whole body training.

The miha bodytec system was developed by German engineers (miha bodytec GmbH) and has since become widespread, not only in professional sports and rehabilitation, but also within the fitness and active leisure industry. Users include Olympic gold medalist sprinter Usain Bolt, tennis star Rafael Nadal, and the Bayern Munich FC squad.

Participants are connected to an exercise vest containing electrodes in the areas of the upper and lower back, buttocks, lats, stomach and chest. The whole length of the arms and legs are trained as well. While the electrical impulses work on the muscles directly, clients are guided through a set of static or dynamic exercises with the help of an avatar, a virtual coach. In this way, muscular development can be stimulated far beyond the level that a standard training session is capable of doing.

The complete range of skeletal muscles can be targeted as a consequence of EMS, and muscles located deeper (for example pelvic floor muscles), can be reached more efficiently. This particular form of training has also been known to increase metabolic and enzyme activity, thus providing additional physiological benefits such as improved circulation, reduced body fat, and increased collagen production.

The vest is attached to a control panel that enables adjustments to the tension on certain muscle groups to be made, allowing for intensity levels to be carefully controlled and for training to be adapted for a variety of individual requirements. Designed as a modular system, it allows all muscle groups from head to toe to be stimulated individually.

The portable nature of the miha bodytec laptop-sized controller allows it to be easily used anywhere, including in-house personal training, to achieve a whole-body training effect. It comes with a Rimowa suitcase for mobile use, which guarantees the safe and stylish transport of control units, electrodes and accessories.