It’s one of the first things people ask once they find out their TENS/EMS unit, like a Go Stim, has EMS programs. Can I put the pads on my stomach and get abs?

The short answer is no, not on its own. The longer answer is more interesting, and EMS can still be useful for your core.

Does It Burn Belly Fat?

No. EMS makes the muscle squeeze, but it doesn’t melt the fat sitting on top of it. Nothing can choose where your body loses fat from. Whether your abs show has a lot more to do with your overall body fat than with any ab exercise.

Can It Make Your Core Stronger?

A little. A few small studies had people do EMS ab training for several weeks. Their ab muscles got somewhat stronger and could work a bit longer before tiring. The changes weren’t big, but they were real.

EMS mostly reaches the muscles right under the pads, like the front abs and the obliques on your sides. The deeper core muscles are harder for it to reach. That’s one reason it works better next to regular core exercise than instead of it.

How People Fit It In

Most people use the EMS for core strength as an extra round after their normal core work. Some tighten their abs along with each squeeze from the unit. The pads usually go on either side of the belly button, a couple of inches out, and below the ribs.

The level only needs to go up until the muscle tightens firmly. If it hurts, it’s too high. Your manual will say which programs are meant for strength.

Pads stay off the chest and the front of the neck. EMS on the stomach isn’t for anyone who’s pregnant, has a hernia, or recently had stomach surgery or a C-section, unless a doctor says it’s fine. People with a pacemaker or other implant need their doctor’s OK first.

EMS for core strength gives a small boost at most. An EMS abs workout goes alongside the planks and other core moves you already do.

Be sure to check out our other blog posts for information and more tips to keep you operating at your peak.