By: Shawn Mars
As women enter menopause, they often face a combination of challenges: muscle loss, slower metabolism, joint pain, and other physical and emotional changes. For many, traditional strength training can feel daunting or even uncomfortable. However, a growing number of women are exploring the potential benefits of Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS), an innovative technique that has shown promising results in supporting muscle strength, improving circulation, and helping to manage the effects of menopause.
According to Conrad Sanchez, an experienced EMS personal trainer who works primarily with menopausal women, EMS has become a helpful tool in assisting clients not only maintain but possibly improve muscle strength. “As long as they stay consistent, every one of my clients has gotten stronger,” Sanchez says. He points to several clients who also practice Pilates and have reported notable progress in terms of resistance. “They are out-progressing everybody else in class when it comes to how much resistance they’re adding to the reformer,” Sanchez notes. These results suggest that EMS may have the potential to make a meaningful difference in menopausal women’s fitness.
When it comes to the physiological benefits of EMS for women in menopause, Sanchez has observed some encouraging trends. “I take caliper measurements of fat at the tricep, belly, and thigh, and circumference measurements around the arms, abdomen, and hips,” he explains. “Everyone I’ve trained has seen a reduction in fat measurements and either maintained or increased muscle around the arms and hips, while reducing abdominal fat.” This indicates that clients have shown improvements in both fat loss and muscle retention or gain—a promising sign for those facing metabolic slowdowns.
For clients with type 2 diabetes, EMS has also shown some potential benefits for glucose metabolism. “Some clients have seen their A1C decrease over time,” Sanchez shares. While blood circulation is often a concern for those in menopause, EMS may address this issue directly. “At the end of each session, we apply superficial stimulation across the body to promote blood flow,” he says, which may contribute to improved circulation throughout the body.
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of EMS training is its ability to help menopausal women feel a renewed sense of strength, confidence, and overall well-being. “I had a client who told me she was outpacing her daughters when they went for hikes,” Sanchez recalls. “This moment encapsulates the life-changing potential of EMS, as it helps women regain a sense of physical empowerment, reducing aches and pains while fostering a positive shift in their outlook.”
When comparing EMS to traditional strength training, especially for women dealing with menopause-related challenges like joint pain and fatigue, Sanchez highlights the notable advantages of EMS. “In traditional strength training, if you’re a beginner or coming off an injury, you need to start with low weight and high repetitions, building up over several weeks,” he explains. “With EMS, we can target the fast-twitch muscle fibers from the first session.”
EMS doesn’t rely on heavy weights, making it a potentially excellent low-impact alternative. “The stimulation is directly applied to the muscles, so clients with joint pain don’t need to move through full ranges of motion,” Sanchez says. For menopausal women dealing with bone density loss, muscle mass reduction, and metabolic slowdown, EMS can help address these concerns by promoting muscle mass growth, improving bone density, boosting metabolism, and enhancing overall body composition.
While every client is different, Sanchez customizes each session to address individual goals, limitations, and interests. “I usually alternate between EMS protocols for strength and metabolic conditioning,” he says. This tailored approach ensures that clients receive an effective training to meet their specific needs.
As more women discover the benefits of EMS, Sanchez believes this technology could have great potential to become a more mainstream solution for managing menopausal health. “I’ve seen how effective EMS can be for women going through menopause,” he asserts. He highlights several advantages that can potentially deliver similar benefits to almost two hours of traditional weightlifting.
Furthermore, EMS provides a concierge at-home service, eliminating the need for clients to visit gyms that may not cater to older or less fit populations. However, to increase mainstream acceptance and gain the confidence of healthcare professionals, Sanchez emphasizes the importance of reliable research studies. “Having solid clinical evidence would help doctors feel more comfortable recommending EMS to their patients,” he concludes.
For menopausal women seeking a potentially powerful and accessible way to combat the physical challenges of this life stage, EMS may be a solution worth considering.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Individual results with Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) may vary. Before beginning any new fitness regimen, including EMS, menopausal women are encouraged to consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it is appropriate for their specific health needs and conditions.
Published by Jeremy S.
