Trying to fit a workout into our busy schedules these days is like trying to squeeze into those much-loved pair of jeans - ‘there isn’t a lot of room’ - until now, with electro muscle stimulation or EMS for short. You can now get a full-body workout in less time than it takes to finish an episode of Friends. EMS has made a dream a reality. This new style of training involves wearing a training suit fitted with electrodes and works by sending low-frequency electric impulses to the major muscle groups. Seems a bit futuristic, but this is the secret. Tiny impulses of electricity increase muscle contraction and blood flow during the workout, giving your body the effects of a 90-minute workout in just 20 minutes - Amazing right!?

Catrina Kuehler, founder of fu/nis EMS Training missed her favourite workout from Germany when she moved to New Zealand back in 2016. Passionate about fitness and a balanced lifestyle along with her exposure and success with EMS training, she couldn’t wait to open studios across the country - fu/nis EMS Training was born.

Excited to know more about the future of fitness we asked Catrina to tell us more about this way of training - what to expect, who is it for, and how to get the most out of your session.

Hi Catrina, can you tell us a little something about your personal journey within the fitness space and how did you find out about EMS training?

I've always been a very health conscious and active person. You could say I'm a tad obsessed these days with eating clean and green as nutrition together with exercise is a big part of the magic formula to feel great and amazing in my eyes.

EMS training came into my life when I was preparing for our wedding in 2010, and my usual fitness routine didn't make the cut. I got introduced to 20min EMS training, and within just under 2 weeks I felt stronger and fitter. I felt better than ever in my body, despite being quite sore as we activated muscles I never felt before. But, I loved it!

I've worked in Corporate for a good time of my life and loved my group fitness classes to stay fit. But when life gets busier with kids, more social activities, a bigger workload, you name it - the first thing that dropped off were my workouts as my priorities shifted. 20mins EMS training is the perfect answer for me in our DNage. It's not a short-cut workout, so you don't feel like you're cheating. You get the benefits of 1.5hrs strength training - but you're in and out in 30mins of the studio. So you can squeeze it into a lunch break with ease.

That's why I started fu/nis EMS training in New Zealand, we want to enable more people to live a healthy lifestyle, but without them feeling they need to sacrifice something for that goal.

For anyone new to EMS training, can you explain more about the process?

We're a boutique studio, and only train up to two people at the same time. EMS training is a full body workout that activates up to 90% of your major muscles via small impulses. The gear you wear during the session contracts your 8 major muscle groups and the impulses will be adjusted to suit your personal threshold. It's all very individualized to get the best out of each session for you. And the best part is, each session only takes 20 mins and you're in and out in 30 mins.

For the full 20 mins you're guided through a personalized exercise routine by your Personal EMS trainer, who challenges you along the way to maximize your training results.

EMS training can be described as a gentle activation throughout your skeletal muscle system without you having to use any extra load such as weights. This means there’s less strain on joints and ligaments compared to a workout using weights. It has been scientifically proven to help strengthen muscles, helping with body tone and building endurance. That's why we love it - it's effective, fast & a great way to stay fit.

EMS training might still be new to New Zealand, but overseas this workout has been around for 15 years now and the technology used is derived from Rehabilitation, with over 60 years of experience in that field.

Is it for everyone?

EMS training is safe for anyone between 18 and 80 really, as we can adjust impulses & exercise to suit your needs & goals. Our clients range from business people, mums, seniors, clients with injuries, up to professional athletes who need to get the extra performance out of their body. As with every sport, there are a few contraindications where we can't train you. To name the major ones, if you are pregnant, have a pacemaker or have cancer, EMS training is not advised.

A 20-minute EMS workout burns between 350 and 450 calories per session, so it’s quite a workout, how often do you recommend it?

20mins sounds short and many of our members would love to come more often than twice a week. However, EMS training is very powerful and considered a high intensity workout. Therefore we recommend (depending on your personal fitness routine) fu/nis EMS Training only once, or maximum twice per week. In fact, twice a week is perfect if you want to reach your health goals fast.

What’s the best way to get the most out of each session?

EMS training is a hyper condensed workout, it’s HIIT Training, so being focused is key to get the most out of every minute. Breathing correctly is important and our team is there to guide you. And of course, the right nutrition plays a big part in maximizing your results. We usually recommend having a light workout snack (like a banana) an hour to two prior to the session. Exercise can only get you so far, we all should acknowledge that a clean & healthy diet will play an important part and be vital in reaching your goals.

That said, we believe in balance - so we'd never recommend any strict or limiting diets as we all need to live and make the most out of every moment. Life is about living in the moment and finding joy within them!

Catrina Kuehler, founder of fu/nis EMS Training

Find out more about fu/nis EMS Training here.

Interview — Zeenat Wilkinson
Photography — Supplied by fu/nis EMS Training
Opening Image — Arket

This post was brought to you in partnership with fu/nis EMS Training

Catrina Kuehler, founder of fu/nis EMS on the future of fitness