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I'll put this here so it can appear on the front page, since it would not with this user's low karma. Use this advice at your own risk.
If anyone is interested, I thought I would share some practical results from shocking yourself with electricity for years. Typing this now w/ a 3-electrode ab-belt on my stomach, and 8 electrodes on my arms, while eating oatmeal. I had this up on reddit in /fitness. got me banned because it's not about the latest cabbage diet. you can get fit while you sit in a chair, just put up with pain and discomfort.
SUMMARY
Can EMS completely replace working out, and make me fit w/ bulging muscles: yes.
Is it bad for you: there is literally nothing you can do to hurt yourself unless you get a plug-in medical device that costs over $1k. The little pocket battery units don't have enough power to reach your heart or organs, even on max power. Even if you put electrodes to go through your body, it'll still traverse through the outside tissue (uncomfortable but safe - tested many times). In fact, since I replaced lifting with EMS for half my workouts, my joints stopped hurting.
How does it compare to lifting: Not as much visible muscle volume increase (but some), but more actual strength, like when you punch.
Do those electric body vests at the gym do anything: No. Waste of sweat/time/money.
Are $1k+ medical plug-in units better: No. You need the help of a professional to use them, as they have the power to kill you. They can crank it much higher, and with a lot of pain (bite down on something) cut your 5-hour pocket EMS workout to 30min.
If I bench 300lb 20 times, stop lifting and just do EMS for a year, can I still bench 300? Yep, and now you'll push it up it 25 times. But you won't be able to do 350lb 20 times. You'll have more muscle, but it'll look the same volume-wise.
Is it expensive: No. About $200 initial investment for everything I use, about $10/year for replacement stuff.
Does it hurt or itch: Yes, a lot. If you power through a few months of being uncomfortable 1/4 of your day, you no longer notice it.
Can I work out w/ EMS under my clothes while in a meeting at work, at dinner, or dancing at a club: absolutely.
If I'm a fatass, can EMS alone, w/o going to the gym, with no effort, get me in shape so I look toned and built: Yes. You have to do it several times a week for 5-10 hours at a time. The more fat you have the less electricity reaches your muscle, so you have to turn it up more till you lose the fat.
Has anyone famous gone hardcore on EMS for an extended time: Bruce Lee.
ME
40/male. 5'11, 170lb, ~6% bodyfat, fit all my life. I don't pay attention to my diet and often eat before bed. I pop a lot of dried berry type supplements and a centrum per day, but don't do anything else like protein powder or creatine. I'm in STEM, and know quite a bit about biology and organic chemistry. I have worked at a hospital assisting nurses and am fairly well-versed in medicine.
I will link to some stuff I use. I am in no way affiliated with anything or make money from it - it is simply what I've come to find as an optimal complete solution in my 20 years of experience. What I have done is a ridiculous amount of research over the years, and tried many different pads, belts, EMS units, leads/wires, and even tshirts.
I did a lot of track, and after 18 started lifting, which progressed to some ridiculously heavy weights - and that caused some joint problems later in life. About 20 years ago I injured my shoulder. I picked up a soccer mom ab belt as seen on TV, strapped it to my shoulder and did that for about 6 months till I could lift again. It used a watch battery and made the aux muscles in the shoulder stronger around the scar tissue. Once that passed, I tossed it and got one with larger batteries for my abs. I've been doing that instead of sit-ups since then - for 20 years.
ABS
I wake up, put on an ab belt, and do my morning wash/brush/dress stuff, including eating breakfast, with it on. I start at 50% and after an hour go to 100%. 2 hours a day, pretty much every day. The morning belt only does the front, and does not use gel pads. It has these carbon-rubber nipples - you just touch them with a wet hand for conductivity and put on the belt. They don't itch at all, but leave little red marks that go away fully an hour after you take it off. I place it low (touching top of pubes) one day, and high (touching bottom of ribs) the next day. This works the middle muscle twice as much as the upper and lower, which keeps all 6 the same size, as the middle ones are slowest to grow.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N7RAQ6F
I use programs 1-3. Start at level 12, then crank it to 20(max). It takes 3 AAA, and I just put in 3 NiMH rechargeables which last 2 months before needing a recharge. Make sure to get a charger that charges individual slots, not pairs. The 3 batteries last 5-10 years.
https://www.amazon.com/EBL-Battery-AAA-Rechargeable-Batteries/dp/B071X6KHCW
A couple of times per week I wear a different belt to the office. This does obliques. I use program 8. On level 30-40 there is no visible twitching and you can be in public. At home I use level 100-150(max). It has a big pad in the middle, and a pad on each side. 3 gel pads total, and I stick the outer ones as far out as they go. If you take care of the pads, they last over a year, and then you shell out $5 for a new set. These don't need gel - they are made of a conductive gel. Any gel pads itch, and the higher the electricity the more they itch. The unit I am linking has a non-removable battery and needs to be charged weekly. The battery has been the same for a year, so I'll estimate it lasts 3-5 years. After that you need to toss the belt and get a new one, because batteries are non-removable, or pull the charger apart and do some tinkering. This belt is very thin and invisible under a shirt, and the control/battery just goes in your pocket.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G748N5R
EMS
I have two EMS7500 units. https://www.tensunits.com/product/DE7502.html
You cannot get these on amazon, as they are "almost/kinda" medical grade. The ones on amazon have much less power than these. Thankfully if you go to many of the sites specializing in these, they resell the units. If you go to the manufacturer, Rosco Medical, they'll want a prescription.
This has 3 modes - I only use the Constant mode (C). Frequencies of https://www.amazon.com/OKcell-Rechargeable-Battery-Helicopter-Microphone/dp/B01LZIQ7EA
fan: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XN24GY
PADS
You need large pads. What comes with all the units goes in the trash. 3x5" pads are perfect, because if they fold a little or crease you don't care as the remaining contact area is enough. If you can't fit 4 of these on your tiny girl-chest, I recommend a 3x5 for the negative (black) going to a 2x4 positive (red). Keep in mind that the black wire is going to hit your muscle harder than the red. The right side of your body also conducts worse, so if you just do 2 pads across the chest, black on the right and red on the left, unless you want one of your tits to look bigger.
When you take them off, put the plastic cover back on. Once every couple of weeks, get your hand wet and wash the conductive side. I also spray that side with 91% alcohol weekly. This will keep them working for about 6 months.
Putting some electrical tape on the wire joints also keeps the wires from folding too much and breaking in your pocket. With that, the wires are also good for about 6 months.
3x5 pads https://www.otcwholesale.com/axelgaard-cf7515-3-5-rectangle-cloth-electrode.html
2x4 pads https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HX1NO8I
wires https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HX1NO8I
Pads no longer stick after about 10 uses. This is fine, as even when they are fresh, it's helpful to wear a compression shirt to keep them in place. I just bought 10 shirts and I wear them under everything when I have the pads on. You want it way tighter than a regular shirt, so if you sweat a little pads don't spil - they press on parts where muscles curve, such as the inner part of the chest. When I do arms, I put socks on the upper arm over the pads. Just take thin tight dress socks and make them into a tube by cutting off the toe.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G7CM82M
If you have the pads on the same spot for 5-10 hours at a time, you'll get little skin bumps in those spots after you shower. Don't scratch that area, don't use a hard sponge in the shower. The bumps go away when your skin dries. If you scratch the area and rip off a little skin, you're not in for a good time when you put the electrodes back on. You can put pads on top of lotion after it dries - I do. You do not need to clean the skin area before putting on pads.
Chest / Arms / Upper Back
Simplest thing is take one wire, stick the black far on your right tit, stick the red far on your left, and turn everything all the way up. Go to work in the morning and take it off when you come back. Turn it down to 20-50Hz while you eat lunch. That's about 2 hours of hardcore bench press, and you'll see it volume-wise and feel quite sore the next morning.
I use 2 EMS units for this - one for each side of the body. I also work out opposing muscles in groups. Doing this lets you not lock up and have the EMS going while you go on about your day. Chest+back and bis+tris. For example, per arm, I put a negative (black) from the wire on the bottom of the bicep, and it's positive (red) on the top or the front of the shoulder. The second wire's negative goes on the bottom of the tricep under your armpit, or the back of the shoulder.
For chest, you can have positives on the outer chest and negatives in the middle. I do back at the same time, so I'll have positives on the back below the armpits, and negatives at the base of the neck. You can also just use 2 3x5" pads on one wire to go across the chest. I do this when I'm going to be out while having the EMS on - less wires, less distraction - like when you're at work or at dinner.
When you turn it up high, you'll be twitching a bit and it'll hurt. The pain goes away after 10-30min. I recommend cranking it to max pulse width and max power on the knobs, at 150Hz for 10min. You get used to it, then turn it down to 120Hz and cut the pulse width by 1/3 (to 200). After being on max, this will feel like nothing, and you can go to work. You twitch a little bit, so if you're out in public, find the frequency range and power that makes you twitch less. Careful carrying that hot cup of coffee if you have it on max.
Lower back and Legs
I do this a couple of times per week when I sleep, as the wife is not happy with me sleeping with a compression shirt on. Use the lowest pulse width so it doesn't itch, and use 10-20Hz. I put the red terminals from each of the 2 wires on the lower back just above the ass, and the black terminals about half way in the middle of the back shoulder blades. With a compression shirt on, you sleep fine and they don't slip. It took about a week to get used to sleeping w/ the EMS on, now it's almost like falling asleep to a massage.
Same goes for your legs, just borrow your wife's pantyhose to keep the electrodes on at night (if you're into that). I walk around a crazy amount and take the stairs when I can, so I don't put electrodes on my legs at all, but you're free to try it if you're comfortable in your masculinity. I'm kidding - just get some biking pants.
I know a girl who just puts one pad on the left of her stomach and the other on the right, and on 10Hz sleeps while working out her abs. If you do this, keep in mind to put the black electrode on the right side of your stomach and red on the left - the black hits more, and the right side of the body conducts less, so it balances out. This itches, so I can't do it while sleeping. The belts all have timers, so you can't leave those on all night. If you are able to find an electric ab belt w/o a timer, dear god please post a link here.
Extended Use
I've been doing abs like this for about 20 years, no sit-ups at all. It's perfect, and I'd say even better. Other muscle groups, I've been using EMS for about 5 years. I cut lifting time about in half - I just do an hour of weights on the bowflex in the morning 3-4 times per week. You can also have electrodes on while you lift if you want, although I don't.
For over a year, I couldn't work out due to injury. In that year, I only used the electrodes - 5-10 hours per day, 4-5 times a week. Bodyfat did not increase at all, and muscle volume stayed the same. When I resumed lifting, I was not able to do more weight, but was able to do more reps w/ the same weight. This tells me you can actually replace working out w/ just EMS and you'll maintain your fitness level and muscle mass - you just won't get bigger. But you do have to crank it all the way up, and work out both type 2A muscle (20-80Hz) and 2B type muscle (80-150Hz).
You can place the electrodes anywhere, just make sure they don't go through your body - the amps still go around, not through, but it feels weird. Don't stick a positive terminal on your chest and the negative from that wire on your back. It won't kill you if you do, and it's not a big deal or really dangerous. It's just really, really uncomfortable. You can however put one pair of terminals from a wire on the chest, and another pair of terminals (from another wire) on your back. You can go across your chest, but don't go across your back so you don't hit your spine. On the back, you can either do black on the outer and red on the inner (by your spine), or go up and down your back. Even a red electrode above the left ass cheek, and the black on your left trap/shoulder by your neck.
Anywise, as I have gotten older and the joints can't take as much weight, as there is less time in my schedule, cutting down lifting to about 3-4 hours per week and using EMS to supplement it has been perfect. After 5 years, I am at least as fit as I was, probably a little better. You'll see stuff out there online that says don't put them across the chest - complete BS, it's fine. People will also write to take breaks. For example, the EMS has 2 other modes, where it's on a minute, then off a minute. Completely useless - just put it on always-on (Constant) and forget about it.
I also have some friends and family that do the same thing as I do w/ EMS. Same results, same lack of issues. If you want to be a little lazy and a lot fit, maybe give it a try.
(Score: 2) by realDonaldTrump on Tuesday January 29 2019, @02:54AM (11 children)
Sad that some of the biggest Soylent News Donors are being silenced. Because the Administration wants folks to do more Down Mods. And wants to punish them for Up Mods. And I don't agree with the story -- I try to get as little exercise as possible, which is why at 72 I have more energy than folks that are much younger. But Fakefuck39 sent it in as a story. And there are so many stories that, they're not the News. But they're still stories. And so many times, Soylent News prints those, right next to the News (above or below). Sad that the Editors wouldn't let it be a story. Because of Karma. He gets horrible Karma because of what he calls himself. And they take his money but they won't take his story. Amazing what he puts up with!!!!
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Tuesday January 29 2019, @02:59AM (5 children)
I posted this on IRC. If another editor wants to post the story, they can do so. In the meantime we can talk about it right now.
I'll look into doing this workout method in March.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1) by Sulla on Tuesday August 20 2019, @09:30PM (4 children)
Did you try this out in March?
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 2) by takyon on Tuesday August 20 2019, @09:40PM
No. If I do it, I'll post a new journal.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by takyon on Tuesday January 14 2020, @10:08PM (2 children)
I just started using a cheap one. It's only a dual-channel unit but it seems to work well.
I'll see if I want to use the advice given and become more machine than man.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1) by Sulla on Wednesday January 15 2020, @04:35AM (1 child)
I want reasonable priced robotic arms that can maintain my typing speed. Hopefully something will happen to make me lost my left arm and i can get it replaced with one that actually works. Half almost ALS tier BS with my left arm, of course it could just be my brain that doesnt work and robotic versions of those will take longer.
Would you put your brain a robot body?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo9hqmkEfEY [youtube.com]
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday January 15 2020, @05:03AM
https://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-continuity-problem/ [theness.com]
Replacing everything but the brain sidesteps the continuity problem. Replace all of the limbs, major non-brain organs, etc. and you are still you. You could even swap in biological replacements later.
This is also the idea behind the "brain transplant", "human head transplant", or "whole body transplant".
Maybe, but I doubt it.
The TENS/EMS device I got might actually be able to affect whatever condition you're talking about, but you should probably research it first.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1, Interesting) by fakefuck39 on Sunday February 03 2019, @11:52PM (4 children)
Actually, retard, I am perfectly fine with the soylent guys. I like making fun of hippies, and they fit the bill. They also run a damn good site and have their ethics in place - just not their life. And I'm not a big contributor here. I've been here since the early days when we all left fuckdot, and in all that time have used up more bandwidth, cpu time, and editor time than total I've donated, which is not even a grand.
I don't care about karma, and apparently these guys took the time to look at my karma, however that's done, and post this here so all the fat loser readers here can stay lazy like me, and still lose some fat. You fat fuck. I don't care if it's a "story" - it's not a story - it's a way to be lazy and healthy, and if it helps someone I feel satisfaction. the fitness subreddit simply deleted it and banned me - they don't give a crap about their readers - the hippies here do.
By the way, fakefuck39 just means fakefuck-goo-on-self. 3 and 9 in korean is "saam" "goo". saam in russian means "by yourself/on your own." it shows off my brain superiority from knowing some other languages, and it's funny - laugh you fat douche.
Anywise, you're like a suburban sheltered white kid defending the niggers. Us niggers don't want your help.
In other news, your shit was funny at first. then it got annoying, like spam, and I just scrolled through it. Then it became funny again. It's amazing how you don't have a life so you can keep at it with the same joke. realDedicationLoser.
Thank you takyon. Also, you're a stupid hippie.
(Score: 2) by realDonaldTrump on Monday February 04 2019, @08:45AM (3 children)
Why would fakefuck39 insult me by calling me "fat," when I would NEVER call him "mean and dumb?" Oh well, I try so hard to be his friend -- and maybe someday that will happen!
(Score: 1) by fakefuck39 on Monday February 04 2019, @02:19PM (2 children)
If you want friends go to a playground full of delicious young boys and bring some candy. Or go to a black neighborhood in a large city - those crackheads are into repetitive redundant shit like you post. Folks, this is the song that doesn't end. Yes it goes on and on my friends. You started singing it.. I forget the rest. Too much coke and calculus in my early twenties. They go so well together.
(Score: 2) by realDonaldTrump on Monday February 04 2019, @02:53PM (1 child)
I have a great relationship with the blacks. Who love the crack, that's so true. And I signed, very proudly, the First Step Act. Making the Fair Sentencing Act go back in time. So the folks that got caught with crack don't get so much extra punishment. They get punished more like they had the coke. Like you. Much shorter sentences and we're letting out a tremendous number of prisoners because of that one. MAGA!
(Score: 1) by fakefuck39 on Monday February 04 2019, @07:40PM
I'm a rich russian-american white jew. I didn't get sentences or arrests for coke. One time I got caught with it, the cop made me throw out the gram. The other time I got caught with it, he just shook his head with a smile and walked away.
Interesting that you're trying to be friends with a russian guy though. careful with that fuckface.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 29 2019, @03:43AM (1 child)
Honestly, I had no idea this was a thing. I thought those belts on the infomercials were scams. Stuff doesn't look too expensive, and I can get in shape while I'm otherwise doing nothing? Sounds good enough to try at least.
(Score: 2) by Booga1 on Tuesday January 29 2019, @05:06AM
It'd be interesting to see the numbers from those studies that did note that there was essentially "no effect." I suspect it has to do more with the amount of time spent and intensity while doing it. Most of those infomercials claim things like "effortlessly firm up muscle tone in minutes a day!" That's probably the level of usage that the studies would be testing. If that's what most people are most likely to be doing, that's the best thing to test for.
What this guy claims is that getting results requires using it for 5-10 hours a day, multiple times a week, with constant devotion to using it at a level that causes pain and discomfort. That doesn't sell products on TV.
(Score: 2) by takyon on Tuesday January 29 2019, @03:58AM (1 child)
That seems more useful for most people. Combined with less stress on joints, and it's looking really good.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_muscle_stimulation [wikipedia.org]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2, Informative) by fakefuck39 on Monday February 04 2019, @12:32AM
The joints thing is a game changer as we get older. Things hurt now, cartilage does not regenerate or grow back well. I have to take msm, chondroitine, and glucosamine daily or I can't lift weights at all without my wrist hurting, even with a wrap.
Here's a pic, now keep in mind that I still do a little weightlifting at home, but not much. I'm 40. 40 sucks, and I'm sure pushing up weight when I'm 50 is going to be worse. You see the little patch of red on my chest? That's from having a 4x7" electrode on there, and it goes away an hour after you take it off. Just don't scratch.
https://imgur.com/a/2bGTb8t [imgur.com]
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday January 29 2019, @05:56AM (12 children)
DC or low freq AC is supposedly safe, never heard of long term damage from it, but high freq AC does cause nerve damage. If you're gonna zap yourself repeatedly please slightly change the location you attach the electrodes to. Regular electricty flowing over nearly the exact same route is more likely to cause lasting changes to your body.
(Score: 1, Informative) by fakefuck39 on Monday February 04 2019, @12:04AM (10 children)
This isn't high frequency. Russian EMS, which the devices I list do not have, are high frequency. like 2.5-4khz. this only goes up to 150Hz. There is no damage from long-term use. Given that, I absolutely put it on different spots or I get skin irritation. Think of it this way: you do the same muscle group maybe twice a week at the same time, for 5-10 hours each time. The other times you are doing a different muscle group, with current going a different way. Over the hours for the whole week, 10-20 hours is not a lot.
Now if you want to do Russian EMS, which I actually do once in a while, I recommend a Twin Stim Plus (I have the 3rd edition). Google around for it. This one does regular and Russian. Russian itches less. It takes 4 AA batteries, and you need the same deal as w/ the 9V - a voltage regulator. I use Kentli lithium rechargeables - they're on amazon.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday February 06 2019, @05:24PM (9 children)
Thank you and takyon for posting all the good info. I'm not a reddit user and rarely read there and have no clue why your info was removed, but that's a different topic for another day.
I've been aware of and interested in EMS for years. I know it has helped many people in clinical settings, but I haven't seen much user feedback data. I think it should be used much more, especially for bed-bound and otherwise "deconditioned" patients. Maybe because of a lack of good patient study data and usage guidelines it has gotten a "bad rap"? Maybe it's something I need to look into and promote...
I did a very brief web search on "electrode skin burn gel" and find lots of official writeups saying it's "not well understood". I'm not a chemist so my knowledge is spotty, but 20+ years ago I worked in EEG. While there I learned (what was common knowledge in that world) that any DC leakage from the EEG preamps into the patient-connected electrodes would result in skin burn, and the explanation by the company scientists and associate doctors was that the electric current causes electrochemical reaction and produces alkali, like sodium hydroxide (lye), which of course burns the skin.
IIRC skin products are advertised as skin-safe in the pH 5.5 range. I haven't done any further research, but at the very least it might be good to frequently rinse the skin under the electrodes, and maybe find and apply something to neutralize the high pH under the electrodes. Again, not a chemist but maybe hydrogen peroxide? Any chemists out there?
(Score: 0, Troll) by fakefuck39 on Thursday February 07 2019, @09:29PM (8 children)
zero skin burn here. it gets very red but that goes away. eeg uses an actual liquidy gel. There is no gel for anything here - it's made out of a solid gel - like a carbon-silicone type of thing. The pads are PH-neutral. I don't know where the sodium would come from in NaOH - there is no sodium in the pads. Running electricity through your body, which has all 3 ingredients, definitely does not produce lye, so it can't come from there.
The EEG liquid gel likely has salt to produce the lye. electrode pads do not - they use silver or carbon. I am not a chemist, but my step father is a chem phd, and I did 2 years of organic chem in college before changing to cs. and yes, when younger and dumber i have made some shitty e from aniseed oil.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Thursday February 07 2019, @10:05PM (7 children)
> I don't know where the sodium would come from...
Sorry, I thought it was obvious: sweat.
(Score: 0, Troll) by fakefuck39 on Thursday February 07 2019, @10:57PM (6 children)
There's a volatile metal in your sweat? Holy shit, you're weird. Does your skin explode often?
your sweat is is not sodium ions (single+ I if I remember) - it's dissolved salt. Your sweat contains not just the ion on its own, but it's negative ion pair. In order to combine with a hydroxide group, you need an imbalance in + ions that don't have a matching negative pair in your sweat. You have a complete salt in your sweat, not a Sodium Metal. There is no source of Sodium in your sweat. This is what's obvious, to anyone who has taken an 8th grade chemistry class.
I do love how you keep saying stuff that's clearly wrong and shows zero knowledge of electricity and chemistry, saying your false info should be obvious to anyone. When you were a kid - did you ever shit your pants in the middle of the grocery store and start yelling how someone there smells like shit?
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Thursday February 07 2019, @11:55PM (5 children)
Now I understand why you are so disliked. You're mostly made up of off-the-charts ego coupled with too much verbal output. Instead of being so arrogant and proving your ignorance, do some research and learn this: http://science.jrank.org/pages/2351/Electrolysis-Production-sodium-hydroxide-chlorine-hydrogen.html [jrank.org]
(Score: 0, Troll) by fakefuck39 on Friday February 08 2019, @09:38PM (4 children)
right. in a liquid solution, you end up with sodium on its own, migrating to an electrode. This is how batteries work as well. Are you saying your sweaty skin is a bottle of liquid? That's one weird sweat you got going where sodium on one part of your chest is going to travel 4 inches to the opposite side of your chest.
I actually don't need research. I did 2 years of chem in college, and my father has a phd in chem. Unlike you and an EEG operator, who have zero background in chemistry and but like to make up pseudo-scientific crap to sound smart in front of your idiot friends. Repeat after me: there is no lye formed on your body from electrodes. That, retard, is what is obvious to anyone. Anyone but you.
Now you do get irritation, an inflammatory response, and sometimes an allergic reaction to the glue. That does cause a little redness and irritation, but with an EMS, which is only on the same thick-body-skin spot 5-10 hours per week, it's a non-issue. With an EEG where it's stuck on thin head skin for 2 days - yeah, instead of little red bumps that go away after an hour, some people get real skin damage. Which is not from fucking sodium hydroxide.
You seriously sound like one of those anti-vaxx people. Pseudo-science, lack of actual knowledge, and playing the victim. I am not nice to it retard because you started it, with your "obvious to anyone." Obviously wrong to anyone with half a brain. You came in here spreading false garbage to people eager for advice on how to stay healthy. Fuck you.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Saturday February 09 2019, @03:45AM (2 children)
Nothing but personal attacks? Is that the best you can do? I was very nice to you, complimented your writeups, and that's what I get? Just trying to have an intelligent conversation? You have to attack right away? You're really making yourself look stupid. You said I have "zero background" in chemistry? How do you know that? You're amazing! I hope I can be as smart as you someday. In fact I have a very strong chem. background, and I obviously know much more chemistry than you. I'm sorry you wasted so much time to learn nothing.
Just read this, if you can, or get someone to read it to you if you can't: http://www.mdsr.ecri.org/summary/detail.aspx?doc_id=8170 [ecri.org] Please ask your dad to explain it to you.
If you're still not educated by that article, blast out some more of your childish attacks and I'll give you many more links to the same information.
(Score: 0) by fakefuck39 on Saturday February 09 2019, @05:33PM (1 child)
Yes, personal attacks, shitting on you, who started it retard. You are literally saying putting electrodes on your skin makes lye that dissolves your skin, chlorine gas that evaporates and poisons your eyes and lungs, and hydrogen gas that makes you blow up like a firecracker - all from your sweat. This has got to be one of the dumbest things I've heard anyone say. You sir are a buffoon. Of course it does not - that is obvious to everyone.
Anyone should know that sweaty skin is not the same as a beaker of solution. Sodium from from the salt in your sweaty skin does travel several inches across your skin like it would in a solution of salt water. I'm going to ignore you now, because while it's entertaining to see you make a fool of yourself with ridiculous claims, I'm bored with you as my personal clown. Stay dumb.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday February 13 2019, @04:09AM
At least you live up to your username. I actually feel sorry for you and anyone else who has the misfortune to interact with you. May they flee early and quickly.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Saturday February 09 2019, @03:51AM
Sorry, this one is paywalled, but there is enough there for you to read what I already told you: "electrolysis of saline". https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/358241 [jamanetwork.com]
Or maybe this one will educate you: http://www.electrotherapy.org/modality/iontophoresis [electrotherapy.org]
Hopefully you can go get your money back from those chem. classed you failed.
(Score: 1, Informative) by fakefuck39 on Monday February 04 2019, @01:59AM
Missed something here. Just to be clear - this is DC - as in runs from a battery. Pulses are actual pulses, not polarity switching - as in on/off. When I say 120Hz I mean it's on and off 120 times per second.
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Tuesday January 29 2019, @04:58PM (11 children)
While you do have quite a bit of experience with it. I'm not up for sticking electrodes to my body and voluntarily zapping myself for hours on end every day. Also, it's likely an extremely bad idea, if you have something like a Pace Maker in your body. The best thing you can do for your own physical health is exercise. Do what you can, it doesn't have to be 5 miles every day, especially if you're not fit. A journey of thousand miles starts with a single step. It's best to start small and work your way up as you're comfortable. So, if you're extremely unfit, maybe just do a walk around the house, or even around the room. Then, when that becomes easy for you, extend your distance. That way you don't kill yourself trying to get better.
I've been working a desk for nearly 15 years now. So, I don't get physical exercise at work and I've not been exercising at home. It definitely shows in my physical fitness. Recently, I've started playing almost daily with my VR gear and I've been sore for going on two weeks. I feel a lot less sore than when I first started, though. It really would do me good to lose a few pounds. So, even if I lose interest in my current VR game, I'll likely do something else in VR as well. That way I can at least use my entertainment hours for something entertaining + good for me (exercise).
The key isn't this one special thing that will make all your health problems go away. It's about finding something that works for you, and keeping at it. Exercise doesn't do you a whole lot of good, if you do it once a month or sporadically throughout the year. Same with diets. You want to do something that works, that makes positive changes in your way of life. Then, keep at it. Magic pills that keep you healthy and fit, only exist in fairy tales.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 2) by takyon on Tuesday January 29 2019, @08:51PM (1 child)
I don't think people with pacemakers are going to be trying this. Those people know who they are (unless they have dementia) and you don't seem to be implying you are one of them. It seems that around 0.5% of Americans have one, which is more than I thought, but many are probably elderly and none of them are going to accidentally purchase and strap on EMS equipment and fry their heart.
It would make more sense to start at 2 hours a day and move up from there if desired. Nobody is going to just go from never having tried this to 10 hours a day. But if you are sitting around for long periods on the job, during gaming, or whenever, it might be easy to increase the number of hours you are using it.
You could use it as a helpful addition to light exercise rather than a complete replacement. Again, if you inevitably end up sitting or laying around for hours on end, that is time that could be spent doing whatever you are doing + EMS. I would still walk, jog, or bike, and I wouldn't see EMS as an excuse to eat more calories or carbs.
For VexeRcise, you would probably want an untethered headset to give you more freedom of movement. These are still early adopter crap (limited FOVs/resolution/Hz, no foveated rendering, dismal specs for standalone, etc). Unless you have a nice wide open room to use it in, you might also want some kind of collision avoidance feature [soylentnews.org] to help you not hit your head on something and die [soylentnews.org]. That being said, it's good that you are already getting a workout from VR.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 2) by Freeman on Wednesday January 30 2019, @05:13PM
I don't have a terribly large space to use it in, but it's 100% clear and I don't have anything like a glass coffee table to fall on. https://www.newsweek.com/virtual-reality-gamer-slips-and-dies-blood-loss-after-falling-glass-table-757966 [newsweek.com]
I'm not deluding myself in that I think I'm getting a really great workout every time I use my VR setup, but it's definitely better than sitting at a desk during that time. Someone who doesn't have a desk job, might find a couple hours of gaming while sitting down is just what they need.
The Vive has a boundary setup from the start. Unless you have a giant space and know you won't be hitting anything, it's insane to turn that feature off. There's even an option to have the camera provide boundary details. So, you can be even more sure that you're not going to win the Darwin award for death by coffee table. My 3.5 yr old saw me playing "The Lab" by Valve and wanted to try the thing. So, I helped her get it setup and turned on the camera boundary. She had no problem figuring out that she shouldn't run into those white outlined things. She did have a great time following the little robot dog around, "petting" it, and having it fetch things. The camera outlines can be a bit annoying, if you have a small space. You can make the outlines more transparent to help with that. Really, it's more of a nifty feature for long time players, but at the same time is a great "crutch" for beginners to learn with. Personally, I find the video feature better. I can see a small window "screen" attached to my controller that shows what the camera sees, when I hit the menu button. It pauses all the single-player games I've played, and lets me see my kiddo or wife if she pops-in for a quick question. The first time she didn't believe I could actually see her. I only use that, if it's just a quick question. Not so great for a conversation. You could, but it just seems a bit too impersonal.
Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"
(Score: 1, Informative) by fakefuck39 on Monday February 04 2019, @12:15AM (8 children)
First off, I'm not trying to get anyone to use it. I figured something out that works, and I'm sharing for people who are interested. I could care less if the world is fit. Of course you don't shock yourself with current if you got a pacemaker.
I am also not saying use this instead of exercise. I hit the weights and the bowflex myself quite a bit. The advice you give is to exercise. Thanks, we didn't know that. How about lazy people don't, and using my method they still don't but get the benefits. You know what's better than running a mile per day? Running a mile per day with 2 electrodes on your chest, so you're also doing bench. You know what's better than watching TV? Watching it with 2 electrodes on your chest. You know what's better than your expensive huge VR setup? Playing your VR game with 2 electrodes across your chest. Etc..
This one special thing, actually will make All your fitness problems go away. If you do it an hour 3 days a week, that's already pretty good. You could lift some weights in that hour, but you don't - do you. You sit on the couch watching TV and eating pizza - like I do. The difference is, I'm fit.
This is not a magic pill. It hurts, it itches, it causes skin irritation, it's better than being fat and dying early. I've had two responses to this when I show it to people. Some start using it and never stop. Some say it's better to exercise and don't use it, and they really just need to start exercising and get their shit together. That second group of people I know - they're even less fit now than when I told them about his.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday February 06 2019, @05:35PM (7 children)
I'm not a doctor nor medical professional at all, and I'm sure they would all say (thanks to lawyers and courts) to never use EMS if you have a pacemaker, but I doubt it would be an issue. Pacemakers deliver consistent pulses directly to the heart. In fact, people without a pacemaker might be more at risk for dysrhythmia. EMS should NEVER be used in a way that would pass current axially through the heart, nor close to it. I would be very careful/cautious putting the electrodes on/around the chest. Seems obvious, but...
(Score: 1) by fakefuck39 on Thursday February 07 2019, @09:34PM (6 children)
this is completely false, as I describe in the original post. there are no nerves or muscles going from your skin to your heart. electricity takes the easiest route between the terminals. seems obvious, but then again, the less someone knows the LOUDER their ignorant advice.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Thursday February 07 2019, @10:10PM (5 children)
Personal insults now? I was nothing but kind and supportive, of you who seems to receive much ire here and elsewhere. My mistake for trying to contribute to your posts. It won't happen again.
BTW, study electric current flow through a conductor, such as a human body. You'll learn the current does not pick a specific path, but follows ALL paths between the two voltage potentials where applied. Seems obvious...
(Score: 1) by fakefuck39 on Thursday February 07 2019, @10:47PM (4 children)
again, false. if I stick a pad on my right chest and a pad on the left, current is going to go through the chest muscle left to right. it will not take a much longer route with more ohms inside my body just to come back to the outside. literally the only way to get from your skin to your heart is through a long network of liquid blood, which has comparatively high resistance to the direct path in the muscles, and some bone and ligaments - with even higher resistance. the personal insults started with you saying a false thing should be obvious to anyone. do follow your own advice and study electric current flow. current follows the path of least resistance. It's the reason you don't get shocked when you touch the insulation on a wire, and the reason current won't go from a low ohm path like a single piece of muscle to a high ohm path like bones and blood.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday February 13 2019, @04:15AM (3 children)
If you would clear out some of that overwhelming ego, arrogance, and rudeness, you might make room for actual intellect. Nah, nevermind.
BTW Einstein, if your bizarre theories of how electricity flows in partial conductors are true, please tell me how an AED works. Or maybe they don't actually work?
(Score: 0) by fakefuck39 on Friday February 15 2019, @12:24AM (2 children)
so what you are saying is you do get shocked when you touch an insulated wire. ohm's law gives amps in volts/resistance. the resistance of the wire insulation compared to the wire is high. the resistance of the blood, the bones, and the tendons compared to a straight piece of muscle is also very high. to get any amount of amps out of that, you need high voltage. the aed is about 3000-5000 volts. the ems is 9 volts.
there you go. i told you how an aed works. if you up the voltage about 100 times to 300k volts, you'll get shocked by the wire insulation too. it's the reason a defensive electro shocker goes through the thug's jacket.
anything else you'd like to know? you seem to have bailed out at 8th grade.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Friday February 15 2019, @03:54PM (1 child)
I don't know what it will take for you to realize that you're much more ego and words than you are information and thinking. I'm stunned at the time and effort you put into writing complete stupidity and revealing your stupidity to the world. Ignorance is one thing, and anyone can say / write when they don't know that they don't know. But I've given you links to actual solid information and you obviously don't read them. I'm beginning to wonder if you can read. Spend more time getting reading tutoring and less time showing your arrogant ignorance.
Defibrillators do NOT discharge a capacitor directly into a human, you idiot. It would blow a hole in the person. The cap voltage can be from 200 up to 3000. That stored charge goes through a PULSE FORMING NETWORK, a large part of which is an INDUCTOR. I am not going to waste my time explaining electrical engineering to you because you'll just idiotically argue on and on. Go earn an EE degree (like me) and write back here when you have. Then I'll explain why defibrillator uses that network and how it works.
I know what will help you think more clearly. Attach your EMS to your head. Run it at full power during a nice long sweaty workout. It should give you some good healing ECT and the world will be a better place.
(Score: 0) by fakefuck39 on Monday February 18 2019, @03:34PM
so what I'm hearing is 9V = 200-3000V, the EMS used everywhere for probably 100 years and deemed safe by everyone, not requiring a prescription, actually shocks your heart, and makes 3 deadly chemicals from your sweat that dissolve your skin, explode, and bleach your charred corpse. Gotcha. Yeah - I'm the one making an idiot of myself.
I spend the time to reply to you because I like making fun of stupid people. People like you.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 30 2019, @07:01AM (1 child)
Most bodybuilders neglect the eyelids. Build up your eyelid muscles. Imagine having big beefy eyelids.
What if you get the runs? Build up your sphincter to hold it in. You can also hold in farts longer. You can save them up all day long, then transfer them to bags when you get home.
It is important to show off that you can curl your tongue and wiggle your ears. Build them up.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by fakefuck39 on Monday February 04 2019, @12:36AM
While you're joking, I've started getting small wrinkles on my face. Not too bad for 40, but will get worse later. You can actually get tiny little 1" or 1/2" round electrodes and stick them on your neck or your forehead, and work out the muscles in your face. It feels fine, but you have to use a low frequency just like on your abs. This stops your skin from sagging. I rarely do that, but the older I get, the more I do.
Here's a joke from real life. My brother calls me up from the gym.
-Hey fakefuck39, I'm at the gym doing arms
+I'm working out too
-what is it today?
+face and neck.
real story. we still laugh about it, but he knows deep inside that one day, he'll also be doing face and neck
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday February 03 2019, @10:35PM (1 child)
This is an extraordinary amount of effort to go to just to be lazy about working out.
I'd love to see some graphs, or get raw data, on cost vs time for this method vs a regular workout.
(Score: 1, Insightful) by fakefuck39 on Monday February 04 2019, @12:19AM
I don't do graphs or data analysis. I just kiss my arm and order the ticket for the gun show.
Seriously though, this is zero effort and the cost of dinner - that's the point. Strap on a belt while washing your face and brushing your teeth. Stick 2 electrodes on your chest while watching a move. The only effort is the first few months, when it hurts and itches - power through that and you're good for the rest of your life.
I wrote this up because I got sick of long conversations w/ people, so I just email it to anyone interested now - mostly at the office. This isn't to replace your workout. It's to replace your non-workout.
(Score: 2) by Kalas on Saturday February 09 2019, @11:39AM
The comments of yours I see here and elsewhere are quite disappointing and surprising given what a well-informed and genuinely helpful post this is. You're the first internet tough guy I've seen who was so into the mindset he worked out a way to become a real life tough guy too while still sitting on his ass shitposting.
A shame that you choose to shitpost here because you're not as good as an average troll here, and you've already proven you can make good contributions but choose not to if it doesn't appeal to your muscle fetish.