Emsculpt NEO or EMS technology? What to know about a muscle toning certification course
Not a day goes by at the Body Contouring Academy without someone asking if our EMS muscle toning certification course could be used for an Emsculpt or Emsculpt NEO machine. The short answer is no, but the long answer is body contouring professionals need to know the differences between the different muscle toning technologies. So in this article, we walk you through the HIFEM® technology/treatments of Emsculpt and Emsculpt NEO and the Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation technology/treatments of the EMS machine We’ll also discuss two of the lesser utilized muscle toning technologies: MMS, delivered by the CoolTone machine and MDS delivered by the TruSculpt flex device. For each of the technologies, you’ll learn how it works and what benefits it provides so you can pick the muscle toning certification course that’s best for you. Then as a bonus, we’ll give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for the machines because one of the critical differences is the return on investment.
But first…
Here’s why you can trust what you read in our article.
- There’s lots of real world experience behind our advice. We’ve owned and operated medspas since 2006. In this article, as with our online body contouring certification courses at the Body Contouring Academy, we share our experience and know-how to guide you to success.
Now….back to our discussion of a muscle toning certification course.
Though the technologies of the five muscle toning machines differ, they share a commonality. They each tone and sculpt the muscles in the treated area without the need for exercise.
Which one will you choose for your muscle toning certification course?
I
EMS (Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation) Technology
- How it works
-
- Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS), also referred to as neuromuscular electrical stimulation and electromyostimulation, is a technology that induces intense muscle fiber contractions using electrical impulses.
- The contractions are stimulated via electrode pads that adhere to the skin in the treatment area.
- EMS technology can recruit more muscle fibers and cause more and deeper contractions than a workout.
- EMS technology is used by body contouring professionals, athletes, coaches, physical therapists and physicians.
- Benefits
Tones muscles
EMS treatments command automatic deep muscle contractions through programmed electric impulses, much more intense than working out.
Burns fat
Though EMS technology does not have an FDA indication for fat reduction and inch loss, studies have shown EMS treatments lead to a loss of fat.
Provides detoxification benefits
Studies have shown that by increasing circulation, EMS technology leads to electro lymphatic drainage, promoting detoxification by assisting the lymphatic system to eliminate fluids, wastes and toxins.
Average cost of an EMS machine
We use and recommend a Level III EMS muscle toning machine that runs just under $300. And since it’s a Level III (entry level) machine, it’s ideal for body contouring practitioners at all levels.
Learn about the levels of body contouring equipment (including EMS)
Here’s an EMS machine like the ones we use in our medspa!
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Do you think EMS might be the right muscle toning technology for your business?
Get the details of our online EMS muscle toning certification course.
II
HIFEM Technology (Emsculpt)
- How it works
-
- HIFEM (high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy) technology machines deliver HIFEM pulses into the muscles via paddles belted to the body.
- These pulses of energy activate more muscle fibers than is possible with exercise alone.
- Benefits
-
- Tightened, toned defined and strengthened muscles
- Reduced fat and circumference
- Average cost of a HIFEM machine
- You’ll pay somewhere in the low six figures (maybe a little less) for an Emsculpt device.
Brand Name
- The original HIFEM machine is Emsculpt, by BTL Aesthetics. It is a Level I machine.
- Because it is a Level I machine, you must be a physician or be physician-affiliated to purchase and operate a brand name Emsculpt machine.
Newcomers
- There are numerous HIFEM machine newcomers. These machines carry names such as EmSlim and EmShape.
- Other HIFEM machine newcomers carry descriptive names such as Electric Magnetic Muscle Training Body Building Equipment Equipment HighEnergy Body Building Machine with 1 handle.
- Most of the newcomers are Level III (entry level) machines, meaning that they are good for body contouring practitioners at all stages in their profession.
- The costs of the newcomer machines run somewhere between $1600 and $7000.
PRO TIP: Warning! Do not market, advertise or otherwise represent a HIFEM newcomer as an Emsculpt device. This is a misrepresentation and it could cost you and your business. Learn more in this short article.
III
Combination HIFEM + RF (Radiofrequency) Technology (Emsculpt NEO)
- How it works
-
- These machines deliver HIFEM (high-intensity focused electromagnetic energy) combined with RF (Radiofrequency).
- The addition of RF energy (in the form of heat) works to burn fat more efficiently and to boost blood supply to the area to assist in muscle building.
- As with HIFEM machines, treatments with combination HIFEM and RF are administered via paddles attached by belts to the treated area.
- Benefits
-
- Tightened, toned, defined and strengthened muscles
- Permanent fat loss (from RF)
- Average cost of a combination HIFEM + RF (Radiofrequency) machine
- Expect to pay in the low six-figures for a brand name Emsculpt NEO.
Brand Name
- The original combination HIFEM + RF machine is Emsculpt NEO by BTL Aesthetics.
- The Emsculpt NEO is a Level I machine that requires physician affiliation to own and operate.
Newcomers
- There are many combination HIFEM + RF machine newcomer machines available.
- You can find them with names such as EmShape NEO and EmSlim NEO.
- You can also find them with descriptive-only names such as 4 Handles Body Shaping Machine for Abdomen Buttock Upper Arm Thigh Muscle Strengthen (4H, Black).
- Physician affiliation is not needed to own and operate most of these machines because most of them are Level III machines.
- These machines run between $2000 and $20,000.
PRO TIP: As with Emsculpt, do not market, advertise or otherwise represent an Emsculpt NEO newcomer device as a brand name Emsculpt NEO device.
IV
MMS (Magnetic Muscle Stimulation) Technology (CoolTone)
- How it works
-
- Magnetic Muscle Stimulation (MMS) technology delivers electromagnetic energy into the muscles to stimulate muscle contractions.
- The technology can engage up to 100% of the targeted muscles, much greater than exercise alone which engages between 30% to 40% of the muscles.
- MMS technology is delivered via applicators belted to the treatment area.
- Benefits
-
- Enhanced muscle definition, muscle toning and muscle strength
- Average cost of an MMS machine (CoolTone)
- Expect to pay close to six figures for this machine.
Brand Name
- The original and only MMS machine is CoolTone by Allé (formerly Zeltiq and Allergan).
- CoolTone is a Level I machine that requires physician affiliation to own and operate.
- A new CoolTone will run in the low six-figures.
Newcomers
- You cannot find any MMS machine newcomers, but there are many used CoolTone devices on the market ranging in price from about $65,000 to $95,000.
V
MDS (Multi-Directional Stimulation) Technology (TruSculpt flex)
- How it works
-
- Multi-Directional Stimulation (MDS) technology is a type of Electromagnetic Muscle Stimulation (EMS).
- It differs from EMS technology in that MDS uses electrical pulses of different frequencies to stimulate muscles in three modes: Prep Mode, Sculpt Mode and Tone Mode.
- The three modes stimulate muscles differently to maximize muscle stimulation.
- Benefits
-
- Increased muscle mass, muscle tone and muscle strength
- Average cost of a MDS machine (TruSculpt flex)
- Expect to pay close to six figures for this machine.
Brand Name
- The original and only MDS machine is TruSculpt flex by Cutera.
- The TruSculpt flex is a Level I machine which requires physician affiliation to own and operate and costs in the low six figures.
Newcomers
- There are a few newcomer MDS machines available with names such as FlexEMS and Trusculpt EMS. These machines cost around $1500 t0 $4500.
- You can also find used brand name TruSculpt flex machines ranging in cost from around $18,000 to $80,000.
PRO TIP: Just as with Emsculpt and Emsculpt NEO, do not market, advertise or otherwise represent a TruSculpt flex newcomer as a brand name TruSculpt flex device.
Final Thoughts
- Understanding the nuances of muscle toning technologies is crucial for choosing the right muscle toning certification course for your practice.
- Our detailed comparison of EMS, HIFEM, Combination HIFEM + RF, MMS and MDS technologies equips you with knowledge to make an informed decision.
- At the Body Contouring Academy, we leverage our extensive experience to offer comprehensive body contouring certification courses that suit your professional needs.
So…are you ready to elevate your expertise and business? Enroll in our EMS muscle toning certification course today and take the next step forward toward mastering body contouring!