Powering Up for BodyTwenty

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Powering up for BodyTwenty Strength Workout

– Learn what electronic stimulation do for your workout at BodyTwenty!

After nursing sore quadriceps for a couple of days after my introductory workout, I arrived at Body20 for my strength workout with a little trepidation. What would a full 20-minute workout do to me? I was met with a new instructor who was more like a Drill Sgt. and put me through an intense, non-stop workout, checking in to see how high she could raise my electronic stimulus—making sure that I could handle it the charge up to about an 8 on a 1-10 scale. The instructors are very cognizant of your ability level and reaction to the current, so they are not trying to “electrocute” you but want to be sure you are getting the maximum “charge” from your workout. Type A people will GO for it while those who are bit more reticent to “push it” may slack off a bit. Regardless, your muscles are getting more than you can give them in over an hour, so you are feeling the benefit—all in 20 minutes.

In the cardio session, you get a more mild current the entire time; in the strength session, you get bursts of 6-second current with 4-second breaks. You are doing exercises with very brief rest intervals, so your muscles are working, supplemented by the electrical “push.”

I begged for one more day workout but was told only one, strength and one, cardio class per week was enough to start. Instead, I got a “rest” day, where I suited up and just relaxed on the mat while my muscles got zapped to about an 8 level. It was like getting a massage and I enjoyed a 20-minute meditation break while my muscles got a mild workout. My thighs stopped screaming too.

By the second week, I am psyched to workout at Body20. I am still teaching yoga, cardio/strength training and going to the beach to do my own upper

body workouts (pull ups, pushups, etc.) and runs, but the Body20 thing has gotten me hooked. I did some research, as I don’t jump into anything without knowing its scientific and medical benefits and drawbacks. I had done some of this research previously while looking into another medical device that professional athletes were using for muscle recovery, so I was already “on” the topic. But now, I delved into more research, wanting to know what science said about this particular type of workout. I saw several positive studies and that a similar system had been reviewed by The Journal of Strength and Conditioning,

which said that both elite athletes and untrained subjects could benefit from EMS training. The study concluded that, “EMS offers a promising alternative to

traditional strength training for enhancing the strength parameters and motor abilities in athletes.” I felt vindicated—I was not jumping off the deep end or grasping at straws—I was trying something that had roots in science, medicine and sports.

I am still experiencing fatigue in core exercises, which surprises me and proves that perhaps my abs were not as strong as I thought they were! I am also seeing small changes—like the skin on my biceps seems to be tighter, so the increase in muscle mass must be happening—or maybe it’s wishful thinking!? I can’t wait until my next InBody evaluation to see any progress on paper!

Stay tuned as I bring you more news on Body20 and how it could work for YOU!

About the Author: Marilyn DeMartini

Marilyn’s passion for and professional interest in physical fitness and sports began with her first job as a fitness instructor in Pittsburgh, PA. She continued to teach yoga and fitness classes and escalated her commitment when she became certified as a Fitness Instructor and later added a NASM certification in Senior Fitness. DeMartini’s marketing career segued from agency work into fitness apparel marketing, which years later led to writing for sporting goods trade publications, an area in which she excelled as apparel editor, and continued for another decade. As a health and fitness journalist, DeMartini studied under top professionals in the field. She attended numerous fitness seminars and workshops, in search of the hottest trends, latest research and most beneficial workout programs, ranging from fitness fashion and functional training to sport-specific training (golf, running, weight-training) and yoga. She also wrote a Longevity Medicine column for over 1½ years for GNC’s Physical magazine and a fitness for golf column with Golf Tips magazine. Later, DeMartini segued into international powerboat racing where after handling PR for the World Championship Drambuie On Ice team she covered the sport as an online journalist for Speedvision. She also was featured on American Powerboat TV where she interviewed professional racers in venues around the country, presenting the excitement of powerboat racing to viewers on various regional sports channels. Today, while continuing PR and journalism in the marine and other industries, her fitness instruction modalities continue, ranging from yoga to functional and circuit training, running and cycling. She was also featured in a video, “Hard Body Yoga.” DeMartini resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida where she owns PR Power marketing agency; she branded FIT Lauderdale to extend to her reach into the area fitness and yoga communities. She is an exercise and yoga instructor and has also conducted workshops for seniors mixing big band music with a chair and stretching exercises called “Big Band Bend & Stretch.”