The main effects of EMS training
- improved muscle strength
- increased endurance
- help losing excess fat
- deeper muscle stimulation
The electrostimulation built into the Forma X suit sends electrical impulses that stimulate every major muscle group at once. The technology activates more muscle fibres and produces a stronger contraction (more muscle work) than a regular workout — making it highly efficient. That's how 20-minute sessions can produce visible results.

At a glance
Key facts
- Session length
- 20 minutes of stimulation; with the consultation and recovery, a visit takes 45–60 minutes.
- Frequency
- International guidelines recommend 1 session a week for the first 8–10 weeks, then up to 2.
- Supervision
- Mandatory. Sessions run individually (1:1) or in pairs (1:2) with a licensed trainer.
- Electrode coverage
- 10 positions — thighs, glutes, abdominals, chest, back, biceps and triceps.
- Intensity
- Set per muscle group on a 0–100 scale; a comfortable working range is usually 30–40.
- Contraindications
- Pregnancy, cardiac disease and pacemakers, epilepsy, metal implants in the stimulated area, broken skin.
- Location
- Gym24, Dunajska cesta 154, Ljubljana (Bežigrad).
What peer-reviewed research
Claims about EMS are worth checking at the source. Below are the key findings from the peer-reviewed literature — including their limitations.
[1]Effect on muscle strength and body composition
A 2021 meta-analysis pooling controlled trials in non-athletic adults confirmed statistically significant effects of whole-body EMS on body composition and muscle strength. The authors caution that individual study samples are small and protocols inconsistent.
Pano-Rodriguez A et al., 2021 · Frontiers in Physiology
[2]Effect on chronic low back pain
A 2018 randomised controlled study in adults with chronic non-specific low back pain recorded a significant reduction in pain intensity compared with a control group after ten sessions.
Weissenfels A et al., 2018 · Journal of Pain Research
[3]Safety under appropriate supervision
A 2018 systematic review judged the risk profile of low-frequency whole-body EMS in non-athletic adults to be acceptable — provided application is correct and supervised.
Kemmler W et al., 2018 · Frontiers in Physiology
[4]Recommended load progression
The 2023 international guideline recommends one 20-minute session per week for the first 8–10 weeks, a starting intensity of 4 on the Borg CR10 scale, and at least four days between highly intense sessions. It explicitly advises against unsupervised use.
Kemmler W et al., 2023 · Frontiers in Physiology
Sources
Claims about the effects of electrical muscle stimulation on this page are based on the peer-reviewed publications listed below.
- [1]Pano-Rodriguez A, Beltran-Garrido JV, Hernández-González V, Reverter-Masia J. (2021). Efficacy of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on Body Composition and Muscle Strength in Non-athletic Adults. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in Physiology, 12:640657. doi:10.3389/fphys.2021.640657
- [2]Weissenfels A, Teschler M, Willert S, et al. (2018). Effects of whole-body electromyostimulation on chronic nonspecific low back pain in adults: a randomized controlled study. Journal of Pain Research, 11:1949–1957. doi:10.2147/JPR.S164904
- [3]Kemmler W, Weissenfels A, Willert S, et al. (2018). Efficacy and Safety of Low Frequency Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) to Improve Health-Related Outcomes in Non-athletic Adults. A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Physiology, 9:573. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00573
- [4]Kemmler W, Fröhlich M, Ludwig O, Eifler C, von Stengel S, et al. (2023). Position statement and updated international guideline for safe and effective whole-body electromyostimulation training — the need for common sense in WB-EMS application. Frontiers in Physiology, 14:1174103. doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1174103
Is EMS training safe?
Yes. But the technology, like the exercises, must be used under expert supervision. At Forma X every session is run by an experienced trainer with the relevant qualifications and a Forma X licence to lead EMS training.
EMS vs the gym
| Criterion | EMS | Gym |
|---|---|---|
| Effective training time | 20 min | 60 min |
| Muscle contraction quality | Deeper | Shallower |
| Initial feeling | Unusual | Familiar |
| Adaptable to goals | YES | YES |
| Equipment cost | Higher | Lower |
| Fat loss | Faster | Slower |
| Beginner-friendly | YES | YES |
| Joint load | Lower | Higher |
| Ligament load | Lower | Higher |
| Injury risk | Lower | Higher |
Who we do not recommend EMS training for
Whole-body EMS isn't for pregnant women. It's also not recommended for people with conditions like:
- heart disease
- epilepsy
- metal implants
EMS also can't be used over injured skin. If you have any health concerns, please consult your doctor first.