Russian chain: really lose weight (or are you being cheated?)

The Russian chain is an electrostimulation device that promotes a contraction of the muscles promoting an increase in strength and an increase in muscle volume.

This equipment is more used in physiotherapy, in the rehabilitation of people who are unable to contract their muscles effectively, as with people who had a stroke, or in cases of paraplegia, for example, but it can also be used to improve the performance of athletes, and for aesthetic purposes to strengthen the abs, buttocks and legs, provided it is used correctly.

Does the Russian chain serve to lose weight?

The Russian chain has been used in aesthetics to improve the appearance of the belly, legs and buttocks, however, it is not as effective as the practice of physical exercise, because the contractions performed by the equipment are not exactly the same as the body can do. Thus, this equipment should never replace the practice of physical exercise.

The truth is that the Russian current is able to recruit more muscle fibers during use, as long as the person performs a muscle contraction at the same time as the electrical stimulus happens. That way, it would be wiser to use the Russian chain in a gym or rehabilitation center, for example.

How to use the Russian chain to flatter the belly

It is believed that 10 minutes of Russian chain in the belly corresponds to more than 400 traditional abdominals, but for the Russian chain to be really effective it is important to contract the abdomen at the same time, because this way all the fibers of the rectus abdominis muscle can be worked. The same does not happen if the person uses the equipment in an aesthetic center, in a totally passive way.

Thus, an excellent way to strengthen the abdominals, taking better advantage of the Russian current is to position the electrodes on the abdominal rectum and do 2 minutes of the abdominal plank exercise, for example, with at least 3 repetitions of this exercise.

A series like this is able to really strengthen the abdomen, having a satisfactory effect, but only if the person performs the contraction at the same time. The use of the Russian chain in a totally passive way, that is, without voluntary muscle contraction at the same time, is not effective and will not have any significant effect on the body.

How the Russian Chain Works

The Russian current device is made up of several small pads that are the electrodes that must be strategically positioned in the middle of the muscle of the region being treated, but always respecting principles, such as not placing them in agonist or antagonist muscles at the same time, and this, be positioned by a physiotherapist or fitness coach.

The device will promote a stimulus similar to what the brain sends to the muscles, which generates an involuntary contraction of the muscle, but in order to take better advantage of this equipment, whenever this electrical stimulus happens, the individual must contract the muscle at the same time. time.

What are the results of the Russian current

As a result of the Russian current, an increase in muscle volume, a decrease in sagging, an improvement in blood circulation, an improvement in lymphatic drainage, greater ease in performing movements and greater dexterity in performing delicate movements can be expected. However, these results are best seen when the person initially presents muscle weakness caused by a stroke, or follows a physical exercise program that must be performed at the same time as using the equipment.

The best results are seen when the Russian current:

• It is used to combat muscle atrophy in bedridden or recovering people; It is used to improve the performance of athletes; It is used for aesthetic purposes, as a complement to physical activity and adequate nutrition.

When it comes to a healthy person, who is only sedentary and does not practice any type of physical activity, when voluntary contraction does not occur, a small increase in muscle strength and tone can be noted, with very little increase in muscle volume, and so the Russian chain can never replace the practice of exercises like weight training.

How many sessions of Russian chain do?

The ideal number of Russian chain sessions to do depends a lot on the muscular situation of each individual. Individuals who are very flabby or in case of muscular atrophy need a larger number of sessions, which can be performed daily, lasting approximately 10 to 15 minutes per treated area.

For aesthetic and athletic purposes the number of sessions varies according to the need that the person presents, being ideal to exercise at least 5 times a week, using the Russian current on specific muscles that need a stronger muscle contraction.

During the treatment you should feel a kind of tingling initially and then, when increasing the intensity of the equipment, you should observe the muscle contraction, being indicated to remain within the comfortable limit so that the contractions do not cause pain. By contracting the muscles at the same time that the Russian current is on, it is possible to recruit more muscle fibers, which increases the efficiency of the treatment and the pain limit.

When not to use

Despite being an excellent treatment to strengthen the muscles, the Russian chain should not be used in the following situations:

• In individuals who have a pacemaker or heart disease in order not to change the heartbeat; In people who suffer with epilepsy because it can trigger an epileptic seizure; In case of mental illness because the person can remove the electrodes from the place; In case of difficult hypertension control because the pressure can get very altered; During pregnancy it should not be positioned on the abdomen; It should not be applied to the legs with large varicose veins; It should not be used during an episode of Phlebitis or Deep vein thrombosis; In case of muscle, ligament, tendon or fracture injury the area to be treated.