No More Need for Water or Gel in EMS! The New Era Created by SIXPAD's Freshly Developed 'Altodyne'

EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation), originally used in rehabilitation, has recently become popular in the fitness scene—led by SIXPAD.

When the brand was first launched, they used gel sheet electrodes. In 2021, they introduced "Eledyne," a fabric electrode that could conduct electricity when sprayed with water, integrating it into consumer products. "Eledyne" featured outstanding safety, stability, and durability, and could even be machine-washed after workouts, making it a groundbreaking innovation. But now, they've developed "Altodyne," a new electrode structure that doesn't even require water. EMS has now entered a whole new era.

SIXPAD & EMS: The History of Electrode Development

SIXPAD's mission is "From top athletes to bedridden patients, we help empower vibrant lives by building muscle strength." In their 10th anniversary year, they've unveiled their uniquely developed "Altodyne" electrode, which requires neither water nor gel.
 
"Back in 2015—10 years ago—we released the first SIXPAD products using gel sheets. These sheets, made of 80–90% water, adhered well to the skin and delivered the high currents needed for muscle stimulation, leading to a highly satisfying EMS product for many users.

"However, the fact that gel sheets were consumables meant users had to purchase replacements, which was a financial burden and sometimes caused people to give up on their exercise routines," says Masanari Sawano from SIXPAD Headquarters, MTG Co., Ltd.
 
The fabric electrode Eledyne, introduced in 2021, overcame the monthly replacement issue of gel sheets.
 
"Eledyne uses a specially-processed conductive textile as an electrode; by wetting the fabric and pressing it against the skin, users get the same effects as with a gel sheet. Eledyne eliminated the need to buy consumables, allowing EMS training without the ongoing monthly cost.

"Still, Eledyne wasn't flawless–since it required water, the surface could sometimes feel cold, especially in winter. Altodyne, our new electrode, resolves this issue once and for all."

"Altodyne": A sauna suit-inspired structure that uses your skin's moisture for conduction

With "Altodyne," you don't need gel sheets or water. So, what conducts the electricity? It's the moisture from your own skin.
 
"Altodyne features a five-layer construction, combining five different materials with functions like thermal insulation and water repellency. Much like a sauna suit, its highly insulating and air-tight fabric locks in your body heat, and the sweat generated provides the necessary moisture for electrical conduction."
 
But you don't need to sweat buckets; a minimal amount of moisture is enough, so you can put on the product and train immediately. In fact, the human body naturally sweats, even at rest. By trapping body heat, "Altodyne" accelerates this natural perspiration, collecting the moisture without letting it escape—which is then utilized for conduction.

The "SIXPAD Core Belt 2" with the Altodyne Electrode

"SIXPAD Core Belt 2" is designed to strengthen the rectus abdominis (center abs), obliques (sides), and the lower back (lower latissimus dorsi and erector spinae) at the same time, allowing for highly efficient core workouts.

Compared to the previous model "Powersuit Core Belt," the maximum EMS output is about 15% higher, and the rectus abdominis electrode is about 10% larger. EMS levels are adjustable in 21 steps from 0 to 20, and you can customize the intensity for front and back separately.

Let's review EMS as well. Muscles can be broadly classified into two types: slow-twitch (red muscle), which excels in endurance but doesn't easily hypertrophy, and fast-twitch (white muscle), which has explosive power and tends to grow larger. Normally, when you voluntarily move your muscles with low resistance, your body first recruits slow-twitch fibers, and to stimulate the fast-twitch fibers, you need to do heavy weight training.

Meanwhile, with EMS, muscle fibers are prioritized from the fast-twitch type. This allows even people who aren't good at exercise or the elderly to easily target their fast-twitch muscles.

Another feature is that there are two modes tailored to different purposes. The 20Hz (Hertz) mode (about 23 minutes) is effective for efficient muscle training, while the 4Hz mode (about 30 minutes) is suitable for pre- and post-workout care.

SIXPAD products mainly use a frequency of 20Hz. 20Hz means an electric stimulus delivered 20 times per second. When muscles receive a stimulus, they contract. When the stimulus stops, they relax. When stimulated again, they contract once more. This cycle syncs with the speed of the 20Hz pulse, keeping the muscle tension steady and closely resembling voluntary contractions, which makes this an efficient frequency for effective training.

For example, with higher frequencies like 50Hz or 80Hz, the muscles don't have enough time to relax between contractions, which reduces the effectiveness.

I actually tried using the "SIXPAD Core Belt 2," and as long as it's charged, there's no need for any advance preparation such as spraying water, making it much easier to get started with your training. Once again, I could feel just how impressive "Altodyne" is.

You can easily train while working remotely at home, doing chores like cleaning and washing dishes, or even while watching TV. This new version uses a waist adjustment cord that allows the electrodes to make even closer contact with your body. After use, simply wipe it with a wet tissue—maintenance is very straightforward.
 
For anyone looking to build an exercise routine or wanting to train or recover during spare moments, the "SIXPAD Core Belt 2" seems like a powerful ally.