By Henri Schmidt, CEO & Founder VBTec/Visionbody, Muscle Expert
When a friend of mine first introduced me to EMS, the EMS machines were the size of refrigerators, and you were tethered to them by enough cables to power a small city. Today, we have "PowerSuits." These pieces of wearable technology can help you get your body into shape in a fraction of the time you would need to spend doing traditional training routines.
As the EMS industry grows, so do the options from which to choose, and so does the confusion, and to be honest, some of the EMS suits out there are not to be trusted. But don't worry, as an expert in this industry, I have put together this EMS suit brands comparison guide to help you make an informed and safe decision when choosing your own personal suit.
What Really Matters When Choosing an EMS Suit?
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Wet vs. Dry Technology
This should be one of the important factors that you take into consideration when choosing your own PowerSuit.
EMS systems that require wetting before being used take a lot of setup time, and sometimes need a base layer. There is also the concern of developing mold or bacteria inside the suit, and the fact that it can be uncomfortable to work out in a wet garment.
Dry systems are made from antibacterial textiles, fit you like a second skin, and use advanced technology that doesn’t require water or gels for conductivity. You simply have to do a short warm-up before you start your training, and that’s it. They also don’t require you to spend time before training to prep the suit; you just suit up and are ready to go.
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Wireless Freedom
Yes, in these modern times, some systems still require you to be tied to an EMS machine with a bunch of cables. If you want to do yoga, pilates, shadowboxing, or go for a run, you need a completely wireless Bluetooth system. Freedom of movement is a must-have and should be on top of your list when comparing brands.
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EMS vs. EMA
Sure, EMS by itself is good, but add EMA technology to the mix, and you get the best muscle recruitment while working out. Why is that? Because Electro-Myo-Activation uses a medium frequency to bypass the nerves and helps you activate your muscle cells directly.
And, of course, for your safety, consider only FDA-approved EMS suits. There are some brands out there that advertise their suits as FDA-Cleared, but they are not; you can check the FDA database directly to see whether they meet the rigorous safety and performance standards we meet.
What Are The Best EMS Brands to choose from?
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Visionbody: The Tech-Forward Pioneer
The Visionbody Powersuit is the ideal solution for those who want to integrate EMS into functional workouts. The suit utilizes dry and wireless EMS technology, which means no cables, no bulky EMS machines, no wetting, and no gels. You get to move freely and do a vast array of workouts in a suit that is created to fit you like a second skin.
And because our technology is made by our own engineers, and we want to ensure top German quality, we only use high-quality silver electrodes designed to last longer and deliver a smoother electrical signal, reducing the chance of skin irritation, burns, or muscle damage, which can occur with cheaper materials. We use only the best electrode quality to ensure both your safety and performance in every session.
Key Technology & Features
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Fully wireless EMS-EMA system
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Sleek design for ease of travel
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FDA-approved and TÜV certified
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Dry electrodes (no water required), 12 channels
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Made from antibacterial textile
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The suit offers up to 98% muscle activation
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Individual intensity control per muscle group
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App-based control via smartphone (iOS & Android)
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Designed for fitness, recovery, longevity, and biohacking
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Katalyst EMS
Katalyst is another popular EMS suit brand that has been on the market for a long time. Made for people who want guidance rather than customization, the system offers guided workouts through a subscription-based app model.
Like many other EMS suits, Katalyst requires you to wear a base layer and to wet the suit before training to ensure conductivity. A fact that can be of great use for people who don’t like to sweat before training, or it can be very uncomfortable for people who don't enjoy training in a wetsuit.
Key Technology & Features
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FDA-cleared EMS system
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Integrated digital coaching platform
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Subscription-based workout programs
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The EMS suit includes the shorts, arm straps, and a base layer.
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Harder to travel with do to the bulky setup.
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Miha Bodytec
As one of the earliest EMS brands, Miha is widely known in commercial EMS settings. This system suits best trainer-operated workouts as it is still wired and requires you to be tied to an EMS machine. It is a good choice if you are not planning to train independently or just want to try a couple of sessions in a professionally supervised setting before transitioning to home training and buying your own EMS suit.
Key Technology & Features
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Still a wired EMS system
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Uses wet electrodes, which means it requires water or gels for conductivity
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Trainer-controlled sessions
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Studio-focused protocols
Common Buyer Questions About EMS Suits
Are the Best EMS Suit Brands Always the Most Expensive?
Well, yes, but there are a lot of reasons why premium EMS suits cost more. For starters, you are paying for top-notch technology, studied, tested, and created to deliver the best results. You are not buying cheap Chinese copies or a one-time use system.
You are paying for better materials, deeper and more even muscle activation, smarter frequency control, durability, precision, adaptability, and hygiene.
How do I Choose the Best EMS Suit for Me?
Ask yourself, do I want freedom of movement or a guided structure? Will I train at home, outside, or in a studio? Is hygiene and personal ownership important to me? Do I want fitness only, or fitness plus recovery? Once you answer all these questions, you will find the right brand for you.
Final Thoughts
So, to sum it all up, if you are looking to buy an EMS suit, focus on choosing between the ones that are FDA-approved, offer you the possibility of being able to train anytime, anywhere, and provide the best technology that has been studied and developed specifically to offer you the best results.
And, if you’re curious about what a fully wireless, German quality whole body EMS suit can do for you, I suggest you give Visionbody a chance. Promise you won’t regret it!
