February 11, 2013
Last week, you learned about How Underground Russian Techniques From Old Soviet Training Journals Can Turn You Into An Endurance Beast.
A topic we touched on just briefly during that discussion was that of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).
And way back in podcast #71, I interviewed physical therapist David Markovich about whether Electrical Stimulation Devices Make You Fit or Help You Burn Fat.
I personally own a Compex Sport Elite device, and although I've only used it in the past for recovery, I have been experimenting with it quite a bit since returning from Dave Asprey's Bulletproof Biohacking Conference – specifically by running strength and explosive strength training electrical sessions through my quads and hamstrings while practicing deep diaphragmatic breathing. Interestingly, I've been able to get myself into a dripping wet full body sweat with these sessions!
So today, I'm giving you a guest post by an expert who knows how to use electrical muscle stimulation to enhance performance…
Jim Bruskewitz is today's guest author.
Jim founded Endurance Performance Ltd. in 1992 to provide physiological testing and specific training programs for endurance athletes. Jim received his Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and retired after 15 years as a Lecturer in the Kinesiology Department. He also developed and coached a water running and Master's swimming program for the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics Sports Medicine facility.
Jim has been a two time World Triathlon Age-Group Champion, seven time Triathlon National Age Group Champion, gotten Second Place Age Group Ironman World Championships in Kona and has Ironman Wisconsin, Wildflower Triathlon, and Muncie Endurathon Age Group Course Records set.
So let's hear about how Jim recommends you use electrical muscle stimulation to enhance performance, build power and VO2 max…in this case with a focus on Jim's weapon of choice: the Compex.
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What is it?
A Compex is a neuromuscular electrical stimulator. As the name suggests, it is involved with stimulating nerves and skeletal muscle. The Compex stimulates only motor neurons. These neurons innervate or will stimulate skeletal muscle fibers. What you will notice is the contraction of the muscle. These contractions can be quick and rapid, quick with pauses between contractions, or contractions that are held for seconds at a time. It’s this variety of contraction types that will result in improved warming up, strength, and recovery.
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How does it work?
Pads are placed on the skin at each end of the skeletal muscle to be stimulated. There are four channels with lead wires. Each wire is connected to two pads. Very small amounts of current runs from one pad to the next and completes a circuit using the muscle tissue as a conduit. The current runs at specific frequencies (Hz) and pulse durations (microseconds). The motor neurons found within this circuit are stimulated. The muscle fibers innervated by the motor neurons then contract.
Changing the frequencies can change which kinds of muscle fibers are stimulated. Three ranges of frequencies stimulate three kinds of motor neurons-muscle fiber types. A slow twitch muscle fiber will contract at one set of frequencies while an intermediate fast twitch muscle fiber will contract at a different set of frequencies, Likewise, the fastest twitch fast twitch muscle fiber has its own set of frequencies that it is sensitive to.
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What can it do?
A Compex comes pre-programmed to deliver three types of programs: warm up, strength building, and recovery programs.
Here is what the various programs are designed to do:
Pre-warm up: Increases blood flow to the muscle increasing the temperature of the muscle. All the reactions associated with a muscular contraction will occur at a faster rate. The muscle will more easily change shape. Neural inhibition is decreased so that more muscle fibers can be recruited when the muscle contracts. Oxygen is released to the muscle at an increased rate.
Potentiation: A short program that puts minimal load on the muscle while speeding the reaction time of a muscular contraction. This program should be used 10 minutes prior to a workout or competition.
Explosive Strength: Stimulates the Fast Twitch Type IIb muscle fiber and trains its creatine phosphate energy delivery system. This energy delivery system provides stored energy needed for the fist three to five seconds of work while the multi-enzyme mediated anaerobic and aerobic energy delivery systems proceed.
Strength. This program trains the Type IIb fast twitch muscle fibers as well. It trains these muscle fibers to deliver energy anaerobically and generate a great deal of force for efforts lasting up to one minute. This is done without cardiovascular or mental fatigue. There is no risk of injury often associated with intense muscular contractions of this kind.
Resistance. This program trains the Type IIa fast twitch muscle fibers. This is the most common muscle fiber type in an average individual. These fibers can deliver energy both aerobically and anaerobically. They are well adapted for delivering energy at a rate fast enough to support very hard efforts that last for 1 to 5 (8) minutes.
Endurance. This program stimulates the Type I slow twitch muscle fibers. These fibers are capable of delivering energy aerobically and therefore are the most used muscle fiber for efforts lasting many minutes to many hours.
Active Recovery. This program has three parts to it. The first part with it’s rapid contractions at 9Hz squeezes the blood out of the capillary beds, flushes out the waste products from the work done, and makes room for fresh blood to supply the muscle with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to recover. The program decreases the frequency every three minutes moving to frequencies that produce endorphins for an analgesic response and finally a muscle relaxation response from 1Hz to 2Hz frequencies.
Recovery Plus. This program has both the flush and endorphin productions parts found in the Active Recovery program. There is a greater emphasis on the endorphin production however. This program was written to meet the recovery needs of those involved in very hard efforts day after day.
Massage. This program is dedicated to endorphin production. Heavy muscles will feel light. Ischemic or knotted muscles will relax to allow better blood flow to the muscle, and sore muscles are relieved.
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How To Use A Electrical Muscle Stimulation To Build Power and VO2max
Increasing VO2max (the maximum amount of oxygen one’s muscles can use when exercising intensely) is best improved when not just training aerobically. The higher an athlete’s VO2max, the greater the potential to maintain a fast pace for long periods of time. Training up to the anaerobic threshold without exceeding it, how most of us train to improve our aerobic capacity particularly for longer lasting events, won’t improve VO2max as much as a training schedule including systematic training above the anaerobic threshold.
As pace and power generated increases, we recruit more muscle fiber types. When we recruit the three types of muscle fibers , ST (slow twitch), FTa (intermediate fast twitch), and FTx (dedicated anaerobic fast twitch), we do it in order from ST, to ST plus FTa, and finally ST plus FTa and FTx. Up to our anaerobic threshold, ST and only a few of the FTa muscle fibers are recruited. Until the effort exceeds the anaerobic threshold, the majority of the FTa and the FTx muscle fibers are not recruited.
It turns out that regularly recruiting and training FTa and FTx shows greater improvement in VO2max than just training the aerobic ST muscle fibers. In order to maximize VO2max, an athlete must improve the aerobic capacity of both their slow and fast twitch muscle fibers.
Compex strength programs train the ST, FTa, and the FTx muscle fibers. The Resistance Program targets the FTa muscle fibers while the Strength and Explosive strength programs target FTx muscle fibers. These muscle fibers can be effectively trained with the Compex programs without as much stress as training above the anaerobic threshold. Single muscle groups can be effectively trained without stressing the whole body’s cardiovascular, muscular and structural systems. Being able to more easily fit this important muscle fiber training into a weekly routine pays huge dividends in increased strength and VO2max.
Most will train one muscle fiber type at a time. I and others I am associated with have been experimenting with training a muscle group with two different strength training programs on the same day.
This approach is not doubling the training load on one muscle fiber type, which is probably more than that muscle fiber type can reasonably absorb. Rather the approach trains two different muscle fiber types one time within each 48 hour training window. More of the muscle will be fatigued. The muscle adapts and can handle this load. Rather than trying to gain these adaptations a month before the year’s big event, now is the perfect time to train the muscle to absorb this kind of training load.
The more the muscle can absorb AND recover from in time for the next training session, the greater the level of fitness that can be achieved.
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A Training Plan For Electrical Muscle Stimulation
Follow the 3 block training plan below, and you will notice significant improvements. Those around you will notice the difference too:
You’ll notice a significant difference in how well you perform your sport after following the above plan for even just three weeks. The benefits will continue to accumulate as you extend the training time with the Compex.
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Additional Electrical Muscle Stimulation Tips
There are other Compex plans that will yield great results too. Variations on the above schedule may be more tailored to your abilities and needs.
Let’s explore the basic features that should be incorporated into any successful plan you land upon:
Any skeletal muscle group can be trained with the Compex. For any muscle group trained:
Train a particular muscle group three times per week.
If you train a muscle group one time per week, you will detrain between sessions, and the amount of improvement will be limited. Two times per week is much better and worth doing if three times per week is impossible. Three times per week is ideal
Take at least 48 hours between training sessions.
Training three times per week will leave 48 hours between two of the three sessions and 72 hours before the remaining session. Since the strength programs deliver a training load, recovery is important to ensure that the body’s capacity to absorb another workout is large.
With any of the fast twitch muscle fiber strength programs (Strength and Resistance) train for at least three weeks and not more than 8 weeks.
It will take three weeks for the muscles to adapt to the stress and respond with significant increases in force production and improvement in aerobic capacity. The rate of gain will drop to zero after eight weeks of training. Switch the type of training, the Compex program in this case, to begin a new cycle and return to a positive rate of gain.
Choose the muscle groups that will most benefit your performance.
You have a limited amount of time to train, even if training is your job. To be efficient with the time you have, prioritize the muscle groups that are the prime movers for your sport. The three blocks of training above are hierarchically ordered for cycling and running.
Most athletes’ training is shifting into high gear in preparation for the upcoming season. Base phase training is in full swing with the promise of a higher VO2max that will both support maintaining faster paces with less anaerobic dependence and improve the ability to recover more quickly.
One of the benefits of using the Compex strength programs is to improve VO2max. The fact that one increases their power output by using the Compex strength programs as well suggests that not incorporating strength programs into a regular training plan is missing a big opportunity to become a better athlete.
Do you have questions about how to use electrical muscle stimulation to enhance performance, or your own tips to add? Leave them in the comments section below!
So….Just wondering what were the results with
“Most will train one muscle fiber type at a time. I and others I am associated with have been experimenting with training a muscle group with two different strength training programs on the same day.”
BUT, can anyone actually POST in this Forum, the actual OHMS (width) and Hz(rate)? I think that is what everyone keeps asking.
Hi
I am a cyclist and during the Haute Route in the Pyrenees I purchased a Complex + for recovery…fantastic.
However….I have just returned from ski trip and have badly torn my calf muscle having being forced over a ski, can you recommend using the Complex machine for recovery from such an injury ?
A badly torn muscle might be too much for the Marc Pro– I have some other tips and tricks for injury here:
https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/heal https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/heal2 https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/healinsideout https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/healPT https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/healconcussion
For more, I'd be happy to help you via a personal one-on-one consult. Just go to https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/coaching. and then choose a 20 or 60-minute consult, whichever you'd prefer. I can schedule ASAP after you get that.
I am not a doctor and this is not to be taken, interpreted or construed as medical advice. Please talk with a licensed medical professional about this. These are just my own personal thoughts and not a prescription or a diagnosis or any form of health care whatsoever.
Your program leaves 48 hours at least between sessions to allow the muscle fibers to adapt. How does this incorporate regular training? Should I avoid targeting those muscle groups in any major way with regular workouts if I’ve already hit them with the Compex sessions that day or the day before?
Ideally I’d love to be able to use the Compex as a substitute for 2 or 3/day work outs, but it sounds like that still may be over training?
I have this same question – more specifically – I am working on interval cycling training on an indoor power watt bike. Should I do compex on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday?
EMS causes very little eccentric damage, so best way to do it is in between the actual "training" days. It can actually help with recovery with that method. And yes, doing Compex in between cycle training days would also work fine.
I’ve a problem with abductor cramping on long intense rides. Usually hits around the 50 mile mark if I’m hammering it. (Around 70 to 80 at endurance pace). All the literature on cramping has been of no help since no one is sure of the cause of cramping, oh how I’d like to be part of a true cramping study. Anyway, how could I best use the Compex for abductors? Active recovery? On the trainer? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.
I’m 60 (USAC racing age), a logger as my profession, and cycle 230 miles a week on average (Zwift training and road).
I'd use it in recovery or massage mode, but I'd also review all these:
https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2014/12/how-to-s… https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2013/09/ways-to-… https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2010/04/episode-…
Also, I'd be happy to help you via a personal one-on-one consult. Just go to https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/product/ben-… and then choose a 20 or 60 minute consult, whichever you'd prefer. I can schedule ASAP after you get that.
Any thoughts about using the wireless model on quads while riding on a trainer?
I might interfere with pedal stroke biomechanics to use it that way…probably better to use on upper body in a case like that…
You’ve mentioned in the past that a TENS can help with injuries. I have an injured Posterior Tibial Tendon that I am taking anti-inflamatory drugs for (I hate them but its been lingering over a year) but would like to buy something like this to improve my healing. Could you recommend another next best thing if I can’t afford the $1000 price tag on this? I’ve tried PRP, massage, acupuncture, chiro, physio, orthotics, MRI says its inflamed. I’m contemplating either another round of PRP (Which I get covered) or BPC-157. Or should I just call in with this long one?
No. A TENS cannot help. Must be EMS. Not TENS, because TENS just covers up pain. Honestly, there are a ton of things you can do but if you inject, use BPC-157 as close to pain site as possible. That's what I would do.
Could you tell me is there any disadvantage of using electric muscle stimulating ?
Would it cause any harmful to our body?
At this point no research has shown that the amount used in any research on exercise or the magnitude of frequency that would cause harm.
hello Ben, im Daniel , a guitar player and i want to work out the muscles of the fingers lumbrical and interossei with fast contractions intending to increase the speed of my fingers , what kind of program would you recommend?
how many times a day or week and the Hz and pulse width
im goin to buy a 2 channel muscle stimulator and a glove to put in my hand, what do you think
MUscle stimulator https://www.tenspros.com/ems-7500-2nd-edition-mus…
CONductive glove https://www.tenspros.com/conductive-stimulation-g…
I can certainly help. Go to <a href="https://greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/ben” target=”_blank”>www.greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/ben and choose 20 or 60 minutes and we'll get you scheduled to go over everything.
Really seems like the protocols above require 3-4 hours on training days? Maybe I am not understanding. That’s a lot of time…
Not that long because you don't do all of them every day.
Please clarify, but for block I is a person supposed to complete quad, glutes, calves, and hams training use strength and endurance programs in one night? If so that would take about 4 to 6 hours to complete all of the programs and move the electrodes.
Also, how long after a person has completed a 8 week training session should he wait before starting the next block? And, how many times a year should a person be using EMS training for strength, endurance, and resistance?
Thanks for your help.
Typically when using electrical muscle stimulation, you target different muscles on different days that are not spending hours with a single session. You can do block after block all year long, and use it up to every day if you would like. For more targeted directions go to greenfieldfitnesssystems.com/ben and choose 20 or 60 mins and we'll get you scheduled.
I own a Slimwave machine, they are stronger in current and much more affordable then most. They sell to professionals, but also have a home use unit and I love it. I started doing sessions on friends and family and developed a home business too!!
It’s worth looking at.
Any workouts you do on a stationary bike (or trainer/rollers) and have the compex firing at the same time, my thinking behind that that it would fire the muscle who need to be engaged?
Yes exactly. Especially with the newer wireless models that don't get caught up in the cranks! Muscle training and education via an external brain is basically what it is.
Ben,
I just purchased the Audible version of Beyond Training and am loving it. I own an EMS unit, but it’s not quite as user friendly as the Complex unit. Where might I go to learn more about settings for the EMS in terms of wave, length, pad placement, etc? I figure if I see some helpful results with my unit, I might upgrade to a Complex.
I’ve always been sort of intimidated by the machine in terms of exactly how to use it.
Thanks,
Jason
I have full instructions here: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2013/02/how-t…
So read above…and then use shopcompex.com website where there are also more instructions for electrode placement, etc.
I have read a few articles which suggest that you can invoke very powerful contractions with an EMS device. They did not address the lack of skeletal movement as a result of the contraction, but I suspect that it is similar to when one does isometric contractions (activation of several other opposing muscle groups countering the movement). Also from what I have read those types of EMS devices build up to the full contraction over a span of a few seconds, they do not instantly apply the charge required for the peak contraction. So I wonder if they can safely allow one to preform strong isometric contractions would that then facilitate muscular development. I am planning to try one out as resent joint problems have made heavy weight training very painful for me. If I see reasonable results I will be sure to let you know. I will still be doing what lifting I can, as function does matter to me. I only plan to use it as a supplemental tool.
Awesome! Definitely let us know how you go!
Are you aware of any Compex training programs that are focused on muscle growth/bodybuilding?
Great question. I'll answer in a future podcast from  <a href="http:// ;https://bengreenfieldfitness.com “ target=”_blank”> <a href="http://;https://bengreenfieldfitness.com ” target=”_blank”>;https://bengreenfieldfitness.com . If you'd like your question to get moved to "top-priority", you can also ask your question via audio by going to:  <a href="http:// ;https://www.speakpipe.com/BenGreenfield” target=”_blank”> <a href="http://;https://www.speakpipe.com/BenGreenfield” target=”_blank”>;https://www.speakpipe.com/BenGreenfield
Ben
P.S. It may be up to 4 weeks before your question is on a podcast, so if you want immediate assistance you can get a private phone consult with me at  <a href="http:// ;https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/coaching” target=”_blank”> <a href="http://;https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/coaching” target=”_blank”>;https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/coaching
P.P.S. You can leave a podcast donation at https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/support-the-p…
Yes, absolutely. Two of the settings "Strength" and "Explosive Strength" can accomplish just that. Simply place them on desired body part and then press Start on the program. That easy!
Hi
I am a cyclist and during the Haute Route in the Pyrenees I purchased a Complex + for recovery…fantastic.
However….I have just returned from ski trip and have badly torn my calf muscle having being forced over a ski, can you recommend using the Complex machine for recovery from such an injury ?
You can, but you need to use it in Recover mode, Active Recovery mode, or massage mode. Strength/power modes may stimulate muscle fiber to the point of excessive additional tearing!
Ben, in the plan above, are you saying to run both strength and endurance on one muscle group for each of the sessions? Hammer suggest using the Compex after an actual workout. If you had a day where you were doing sprints or intervals, would you follow it up with a double Compex session?
The way I use Compex nowadays is how I talk about it in http://www.BeyondTrainingBook.com – standalone strength or power sessions at a different time of day or different day than my actual workouts, sometimes combined with isometric holds.
Great info
Thanks for all the info on this blog.
I own a Compex wireless, that I want to use with the Endurance programme while pedaling a static bicycle.
Compex + voluntary contractions to reduce the time on the bike.
I read on an article by Joe Arnone that: “using the Endurance programme on level 5 (not sure if the specific device) the 55 minute of ems is the equivalent of two hours of running or three hours of cycling” .
Where could include get more information on how to combine voluntary contractions while on Compex?
Thanking you in anticipation for your help
William
In my book at <a href="http://www.beyondtrainingbook.com” target=”_blank”>www.beyondtrainingbook.com!
Thanks Ben,
I actually own your book and have successfully recommend it to 12 friends who also love it.
In Chapter 4, you briefly talk a bit about Ems and you direct us to the hammer nutrition link.
Perhaps for those who are not familiar with Compex or only use it as a recovery tool the information above is sufficient enough.
I started using ems many years ago, then 2 years ago fit my hands on a Compex after breaking leg to reduce atrophy, increase blood flow and rebuild mass.
After that I bought a wireless model, which grants access to the Compex online coach which I feel is limited, it tries to sort athletes in boxes and lacks information.
Your book has and keeps opening my eyes to many amazing topics.
Sadly when it comes to Compex or ems I feel I am throwing darts in the dark.
The information available online or in other books is really brief and even less people talk about Ems + voluntary muscle work combined.
YouTube has some videos of people doing it but it is more a show than a actual lesson.
If I am wrong and there is more info on your book please feel free to slap me and direct me to the gold.
I would be really happy to have a better user guide, training guide or you name it for Compex or ems. If you write it I will buy it
Cheers
Have you seen this? https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2013/02/how-t…
I`M USING MY NEW TOY COMPEX ELITE TO SEE ANY CHANGE IN MY LEGS; I`M ON DE 30S ;/ LET SEE WHAT HAPPEN
Ben, thanks for the info.
There seems to be a cheaper alternative to Compex: NeuroTrac Sports XL. I tried to search Internet to find a practical comparison between them, but failed. Have you heard about it?
That's a great question for the podcast – http://www.speakpipe.com/bengreenfield
I have used a compex four two years on quads, butt and hamstrings.
I mountain mountain bike in the summer and alpine ski in the winter, both 4-5 times a week.
In pre season (may for biking and october for skiing), I use level 5, 90 ma plus (my unit goes to 120 max).
And three times a week. I get very littlesoreness.
But in season,i use it only once a wk, at 50 ma,level 2 and I am sore for two days.
Both cases I use the strength program.
Any idea why I am sore and what I should do?
You are adding it on top of already fatigued/damaged muscle fibres so the soreness is not unexpected. Switch to more of a recovery protocol (instead of the strength program) and you will likely get less soreness and more practical benefit.
This is a very useful discussion which i have got and it is this the device you will be using to incorporate with Jay Schroeder's long duration isometrics or will that be an entirely different device? Even if not absolutely optimal could this device handle POV protocols? Finally, how do you feel it handles recovery tasks. I will suggest to my all friends.
Not quite as good for POV protocols but friendlier on the wallet, and really good for recovery.
Just found this article, I am trying to decide if it's worth me investing in a Complex. I frequently get mild muscle strains (about every month or two) so it kills my training and makes me a regular at my physical therapy place. They always uses electrical muscle stimulation and the laser on my strained muscles. I am wondering if this really speeds up recovery enough to be worth me investing. Also maybe with my injury history it might be worth using as recovery after my hard training session. I am not looking to use it to build muscle. Thoughts?
Yep, You get extremely enhanced neural stimulation and also bloodflow. I'm a big fan of it, especially for rehab in an injured condition.
When it says in block 1 to do quads 1st does that mean a cycle of strength then a cycle of endurance then move on to glutes? Follow the placement guide from Compex?
I asked Jim and here's what he said: Hi Ben,
Following the pad placement guide is the way to go. Know that each muscle group stands alone. That is to say that one muscle group could be on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule while another muscle group is on a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday cycle. All the muscle groups trained could be trained on the same day of the week. So you see, you have quite a bit of flexibility with which days of the week you train a particular muscle group.
You also have flexibility with which muscle fibers you train. With the Compex, you train slow twitch muscle fibers with the Endurance Program. With the Resistance Program you train Type IIa muscle fibers, also know as FT1 and intermediate fast twitch. With the Strength Program you train Fast Twitch IIb or FTX muscle fibers. You could train slow twitch muscle fibers on your quads, Type IIa muscle fibers on your gluteals, and Type IIb fibers on your calves. Mixing and matching which muscle fibers you train in a particular muscle group works well. Not mixing and matching works too. So although there are certain training principles you should adhere to with any successful training program, you have a good bit of leeway when strength training with the Compex.
Jim
So the endurance is a 40′ session and strength is 20′. Doing the four muscle groups would take 4hrs a day. I’ve had a Compex for four years and only used it for recovery, so I was excited to have a fitness protocol, but this isn’t feasible. Am I reading it wrong?
This. I have the same question, can you answer it please?
Are you familiar at all with the Marc Pro? Is this device "Complex" similar or would you recommend Complex over other electrical stimulators? Thanks
I haven't used the Marc Pro before. The ArcWave is kind of the gold standard unit but it's also like $13000….
Ben, is this the device you will be using to incorporate with Jay Schroeder's long duration isometrics or will that be an entirely different device? Even if not absolutely optimal could this device handle POV protocols? Finally, how do you feel it handles recovery tasks, as that is listed as one of its uses. Thanks, and I apologize for the multitude of questions.
I'm not sure yet, Steven, but I will definitely keep you posted as I explore this more. To my understand, the POV protocols are at a higher frequency than the Compex stuff!
Could you describe the cain of workout you can do when your follow the compex training program ?
What complex model would you recommend for a week-end ” athlete ” who is not intending to do competitive sports but mostly having a lot of fun and wanna see his performance gerting better?
Thanks
I already own a 4 channel combination EMS/TENS unit I Used to recover from shoulder surgery. My PT set it for the correct frequency for the post surgery pain relief treatment. However I have no idea how to change the settings To accomplish pre-and post workout muscle stimulation.. Really don’t want to Spend another $800, since this one was nearly that expensive to begin with. Do you have any recommendations or guidelines for the frequency used for these protocols?
Is this in addition to a normal training program?
For sure. I've been using mine 30-40 minutes 2x/week so far.
Fascinating devices. I wish I could afford one at this time. Are you saying that one would use a Complex but not otherwise train on training days?
I do both. I've even experimented with doing a Compex Explosive Strength protocol before a bike workout to get my turnover and muscular recruitment higher.
did you notice a difference in your ride?
Yes! Faster leg turnover for sure.
Have you ever used the MARC pro? I am wondering also about the types of Frequencies and effects those frequencies have on you? What Hz do you set it on for Recover, Conditioning, etc…????
I did a whole podcast on it – just for you ;) Check it out here and let me know if you have any questions: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/2014/03/what-…
Just came across this very interesting article… could you give the actual frequency ranges for this program? I have a programmable EMS unit already so do not need one. But to be sure really do not know how to use effectively since the ranges I use are just what the physio set up for me. I did buy your book “beyond training” and find new ideas each time I dig into it….
The Compex and MarcPro come preprogrammed with the correct frequency ranges.