RKC News - November 2018

Why EMS training is considered "functional" nowadays.

By now, they seem to be in every city, every neighborhood, every village. Almost as common as tattoo artists and gas stations. The interchangeable branch of some EMS chain.

EMS stands for ElectroMyo-Stimulation. Normally, you are put into a suit that sends various strengths of electric shocks through your body. 20 minutes, the advertisements promise, are enough to shed the pounds. Essentially, exercise without movement. You often see small movements, half squats, or (very important) bicep curls. Originally rooted in physiotherapy, this concept is gaining more traction in our incredibly lazy society.

The older we get, the less we move. This is nothing new. Starting at age 6 (around the time of school enrollment, studies show), the ability to run decreases. Movement tests for children aged 4-6 include walking backward. There are children who fail at that!

And it doesn’t get better with age. We continue to flatten our butts. Bed-Car-Desk-Car-Sofa-Bed.

If you don’t have to move during exercise, our "sport" just adapts to everyday life. Totally functional!

If we no longer need movement, why teach the body complex movement patterns? Why train a functioning butt when there are only skinny jeans that you can’t fit into?

Why sweat moving iron when a few electric shocks are enough for sore muscles? Sure, the chance of getting injured is almost zero, you don’t get calluses on your fingers (which is also totally gross), and you can still buy the brightly colored functional clothes.

And the best part about this concept: You could even teach a turkey to set up the machines and handle 3 to 4 customers per hour. Brilliant.

Why EMS training has no place in society (except for therapy and possibly in professional sports) is, in my opinion, quite simple. We don’t get strong from it. And strength is the basis for health.

We are predators with a huge brain. We can use tools, create art and culture, maintain relationships, and construct complex social structures. We can adapt our environment to our desires and completely forget where we came from. We were once predators who could sprint, jump, throw, and fight.

Without these physical skills, we wouldn’t have any of our mental abilities today. We should not only use our damn impressive brain but also the meat sack that carries it around.

For a healthy mind in a healthy body.

A strong mind in a strong body!

David Steinbrich RKC II, Leinfelden, www.viblife.de

…how important hand care actually is? Callus formation means that weak points need to be repaired. Too much of it leads to the callus being ripped off during many cleans or snatches. Hence, a huge mess and two weeks off training. Chalk, hand cream, and sanding once a week ensure that everything runs smoothly. Don’t cut them! That only leads to faster growth.