In the world of health and fitness, people are always looking at modern technological advances, to see if there is anything that can improve their performance or give them some kind of physical edge.
One such area that is currently gaining a head of steam is electric muscle stimulators (EMS).
These devices are designed to offer a variety of benefits to performance athletes and those involved in strenuous physical activity, which they can make the most of during their rest periods.
While there are plenty of companies getting in on the action with this rapidly emerging trend, one that seems to be gaining an especially positive reputation is the PowerDot 2.0.
Does it really have the ability to improve your performance or physical wellbeing with little to no effort on your part though?
Even if it does, is it really that much better than any of its rivals?
Well, those are exactly the sort of questions we hope to answer, as we embark on an in depth review of the PowerDot 2.0.
So, if you are considering purchasing one for yourself but you are not 100% sure, then this is the article for you.
What Is The PowerDot 2.0
The PowerDot 2.0 is an electric muscle stimulator (EMS) device, which sends small electric currents through your muscles.
This is designed to make them contract without the need for physical activity and is intended to improve the health, wellness, and physical condition of the user.
PowerDot are one of the market leaders in the EMS industry and use cutting edge scientific advances to ensure their devices always incorporate the newest technology, in order to make sure they are as effective as possible.
The PowerDot 2.0 is championed by elite athletes, including Olympic hurdler Georganne Moline, PGA golfer Scott Stalings, CrossFit athlete Josh Bridges, professional swimmer Michael Andrew, and cyclist Lawson Craddock, so you know it can produce results at the top level.
Their system has even received rave reviews from many notable publications, including Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health, Runner’s World, and POPSUGAR.
How Does The PowerDot 2.0 Work / What Is Electric Muscle Stimulation?
The PowerDot 2.0 operates by using a process known as electric muscle stimulation (EMS).
This is where electric impulses are created in the machine and then administered to sections of the body, in order to stimulate a muscular contraction.
These muscular contractions are achieved as the electric impulses imitate the action potential within the cells of a muscle that is normally generated by the central nervous system.
This means that differing levels of tension can be achieved, without the need for any external forces or physical exertion.
These impulses not only control the contractions of the muscle as a whole but also stimulate the mechanisms of various blood vessels and nerves throughout the body as well.
Uses For The PowerDot 2.0
The PowerDot 2.0 can be used to develop, maintain, and repair the muscles in a variety of ways.
It can massage out knots, prevent delayed onset muscle soreness, reduce fatigue, increase blood circulation, boost strength and endurance, and warm up muscle fibres.
The improved strength of the muscle’s contraction can make it more powerful, while the extended contractions can help to boost its endurance, both of which will improve physical performance.
However, the PowerDot 2.0 is equally effective when it comes to improving recovery time and eliminating aches and pains.
This makes it a great way to speed up the duration of rehabilitation from an injury, help you manage pain without the need for medications, or even just shorten the length of time you need between workouts, allowing you to train more frequently, without any drop off in performance.
Who Should Use The PowerDot 2.0 / Who Is It Designed For?
The PowerDot 2.0 is primarily designed to be used by athletes or people who take part in regular physical activity at a high level.
Its ability to aid the natural recovery process of the body will allow users to train more often, without any discomfort, while the improved muscular contractions will make them stronger, faster, and capable of participating in an activity for extended durations.
All of this will help to notably boost their physical performance. That said, it is also a great option for people currently recovering from serious injuries or those dealing with chronic pain.
The way in which the electric pulses soothe and relax the muscles will provide pain relief, allowing the user to focus on rehabilitation or simply go about their daily life, without requiring the use of prescription medications to help them manage the pain.
This makes an EMS a much healthier, more natural way to recover or suppress symptoms, without the potential for causing a dangerous addiction or dependency on pharmaceuticals.
PowerDot 2.0 Specifications
Smart TENS Device - App Controlled Wireless Electrical Muscle Stimulator (Black)
The standard UNO version of the PowerDot 2.0 features a pod with two sets of electrode pads, which are connected by lead cables. Meanwhile, the DUO version contains two pods and four electrode pads.
Both the pod and the electrodes boast a compact, lightweight design, and come packaged together with a stylish protective carry case. This makes it an ideal product for use on the go.
The inclusion of both 4 inch (10 cm) and 12 inch (30 centimetre) lead cables also makes it ideal to use on almost every part of your body.
One of the main selling points of the PowerDot 2.0 is the dedicated wireless app that it uses to operate.
This features a collection of more than 400 pre-set programs, with options designed for muscle recovery, pain relief, and performance.
Fully controlled by the app, users simply input data, including the area of focus, fatigue level, recent activity, pain level, and type of pain, and the system selects the program best suited to help you achieve the results you desire.
Available in a choice of black or red, the PowerDot 2.0 features a recommended retail price of $199 for the UNO version and $349 for the DUO version.
Pros & Cons Of The PowerDot 2.0
Now that you know a little bit more about the PowerDot 2.0 and what it is designed to achieve, we will outline the major pros and cons of the device, to see exactly how successful it is and how well it compares to other options on the market.
What We Like About The PowerDot 2.0
- Incredibly compact and lightweight, with a sleek, stylish design, making it ideal for use while travelling or on the go
- More than 400 different programs will tailor the output of the machine to your exact requirements, making it useful for a huge range of different areas and issues
- Available in a choice of colours and features packages with different numbers of pods and electrodes, all of which feature multiple cable lengths, making it incredibly customisable
- Can improve physical performance, reduce fatigue, relive pain, and boost recovery
- Being endorsed and promoted by notable publications and athletes provides confidence in the product
What We Don’t Like About The PowerDot 2.0
- Slightly more expensive than some similar products, especially if bought as a single pod
- While the pre-set programs are great, it is a little bit lacking in terms of manual controls
PowerDot 2.0 Customer Reviews
The reviews of the PowerDot 2.0 by present and previous customers are overwhelmingly positive, and it currently holds a 4.5/5 rating on Amazon, with more than 750 reviews.
The convenience and functionality of the wireless app are both routinely praised, as is the ability to relieve pain and reduce the length of time it takes to recover from an injury.
Other popular selling points that users praised included its versatility, the amount of choice on purchase options, and the power of the pulses it omits, compared to similar models.
While the majority of reviews were positive, there were the occasional negative reviews as well.
These almost exclusively revolved around the Bluetooth connectivity to the app dropping out during usage, as well as a feeling that the product was slightly overpriced, when compared to other products that offered a similar level of productivity.
Alternatives To The PowerDot 2.0
While the PowerDot 2.0 is undoubtedly one of the premium electric muscle stimulator devices on the market, I completely understand that it won’t be suitable for everybody, for one reason or another.
With that in mind, we will now take a look at some of the most popular competitors currently available.
This should hopefully ensure that everyone finds an EMS device that meets their needs and offers all of the benefits that they require.
ARP Wave FlexDoctor
The ARP Wave FlexDoctor is one of the most powerful devices of its kind that is commercially available.
Designed specifically to relieve pain, soreness, and stiffness, it is intended as a way to help people alleviate or manage their symptoms, without the use of dangerous drugs.
This all-natural alternative to pharmaceuticals is used by clinicians and provides the same level of efficacy you would receive if you were visit a doctor to be treated professionally.
Despite its power, it is also incredibly compact, convenient, and easy to use, even without experience.
Your purchase will be fully guaranteed by a manufacturer’s warranty, where you will receive a refund or replacement if it fails mechanically during normal use in the 12 months after you purchase it.
Customers will also receive the ability to have consultations with a therapist if they wish.
However, all of this comes at a high price.
The recommended retail price of the ARP Wave FlexDoctor is an astounding $3000, and the therapist consultations are billed at $5 per minute. It also isn’t overly aesthetically pleasing.
Pros
- One of the most powerful devices of its kind that is commercially available
- Covered by a 12 month manufacturers guarantee, which protects you for any mechanical issues that arise during normal use
- Offers access to consultations with trained clinicians
- Compact, ergonomic, and ideal for transport
- Very straightforward and easy to use
Cons
- Eye wateringly expensive and the therapist consultations are an additional fee that are equally pricey
- Quite clinical looking and not at all aesthetically pleasing
Compex Sport Elite 3.0
The Compex Sport Elite 3.0 is the newest model in the popular Compex range of EMS devices.
It has been completely redesigned with an enhanced LCD screen, water resistant silicone sleeve, improved grip and ergonomics, and the ability to provide 8 hours of continuous electric muscle stimulation.
Its USB charging facility allows it to be easily charged when on the go, while the compact, hard shell carry case, which has room for the machine and all of the cables and electrodes, which accompanies it means you never have to worry about being without it.
The four lengthy cables also allow it to easily be connected to multiple parts of your body at the same time.
While the recommended retail price of $279 means it is definitely not one of the cheaper options on the market, it is similar when looked at next to comparable options that are available.
10 Programs Helps facilitate and Improve Muscle Performance, Black
Pros
- Four, lengthy cables allow you to stimulate multiple different parts of the body at the same time
- Battery will provide 8 hours of continuous stimulation
- Water resistant and ergonomically designed
- Easy to transport in its hard shell carry case
- USB charging means it can be powered almost anywhere
Cons
- Only features a choice of 10 different programs
- Is a little on the expensive side
User Reviews:
Globus Triathlon Pro
The Globus Triathlon Pro includes a whopping 424 pre-set programs, designed specifically for cycling, running, swimming, and recovery.
It is a high performance EMS device intended for use by triathletes and elite level performance athletes.
It aims to remove lactic acid, to speed up the recovery process and boost your endurance, power, and strength. In order to achieve these incredible results, it was developed in consultation with both athletes and experts, to get plenty of feedback to ensure it works effectively in a real world scenario.
A collection of 4 different cables and 8 electrodes of differing sizes allows it to be used on various parts of the body and to produce and wide range of results.
Its carry case also helps to keep everything together and protect the machine during transport or when not in use.
However, its recommended retail price of $599 is admittedly a little high and will be off-putting for some, as will the fact that it is slightly less compact than many of its competitors on the market.
4 Channels, Rechargeable, 424 Programs for Strength, Endurance, Power, Warm-up, and Recovery; Also Improves Muscle Performance and Recovery
Pros
- Features an incredible range of pre-set programs, which are tailor made for cyclists, runners, swimmers, triathletes, and those looking to optimise their recovery time
- Developed in unison with experts and high level athletes, to provide feedback on how it works in real life scenarios
- Powerful enough to offer benefits primarily aimed at triathletes and elite level athletes
- Offers a great range of cables and electrodes to stimulate numerous parts of your body
- Includes a carry case to keep everything safe, tidy, and together
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than most of its rivals
- Quite bulky and not as convenient for transport as many other options
User Reviews:
Marc Pro
The Marc Pro is designed to eliminate fatigue and soreness, enhance athletic performance, improve recovery time, maximise training gains, maintain proper biometrics, prevent injuries from developing from overuse, and stimulate the growth of new blood vessels.
With four electrodes and a choice of cables, it is a great option for using on numerous parts of the body. Meanwhile, its large dials make it quick and easy to adjust during use. It also comes in a smart, stylish carry case, which keeps everything safe and together and adds an aesthetic appeal.
These benefits have led to it becoming one of the preferred options for many professional athletes, with it being used by more than 100 different professional sports teams, including all 30 of the teams in Major League Baseball.
However, its premium recommended retail price of $699 will put it out of the price range for many average users. Similarly, the larger size means it won’t be the preferred option for people who want to take it with them to use on the go.
Pros
- Incredibly effective and used by many of the most esteemed professional sports organisations in the world
- A good range of electrodes allow it to be used on multiple parts of the body at once
- A fabulous option for reducing fatigue, pain, and soreness
- Large dials make it incredibly quick and easy to adjust before and during your session
- Smart, stylish carry case keeps everything safe and tidy, while adding an aesthetic appeal
Cons
- Incredibly expensive, to the point it may price many potential users out
- Much bulkier and more cumbersome than many competitors, so is not ideal for travel
User Reviews:
TENS 7000
The TENS 7000 is an incredibly affordable EMS device, boasting a recommended retail price of just $38.99.
Having been in use for more than a decade, it has an incredible track record for helping people to relieve pain quickly and efficiently.
The simplicity of the design makes it very easy to understand and use, even if you have never had any experience with this sort of device.
Meanwhile, it features a carry case with an incredibly sturdy design, which will ensure everything is protected and get safe and tidy when the device is not in use.
It comes with a collection of 4 tens pads, allowing you to use it on multiple areas.
These include many that it has proven to effectively relieve pain on, such as the back, elbow, foot, leg, neck, knee, and shoulder.
Unfortunately, only two wires means the pulses can’t be spread out quite as far as some of the other options we have looked at.
The build and design of the product are also both slightly more rudimentary, meaning it doesn’t gain high marks on aesthetics or interactivity.
However, this is perhaps to be expected, considering the price tag attached to the product.
TENS Unit Muscle Stimulator for Back Pain, General Pain Relief, Neck Pain, Muscle Pain
Pros
- One of the cheapest options on the market, making it the ideal choice for those on a budget
- Incredibly sturdy carry case ensures your product will be completely safe and secure
- Specifically designed for pain relief and can be used on most of the major joints in the body
- Its long and successful track record means it is a product that you can have confidence in
- Includes a range of electrode pads, allowing it to be used on a number of parts of the body at once
Cons
- The design is very dated and unattractive
- The carry case is a little large and bulky for convenient travel
- Complaints of slightly less power output than some of the other options we have looked at
User Reviews:
Other Methods Beside Electric Muscle Stimulation For Muscular Recovery
If you still aren’t sold on the benefits of electric muscle stimulation after looking at some of the very best products on the market that use it, then maybe the technology isn’t right for you.
While there are no direct alternatives to EMS that will produce the same results, if you are struggling with muscular recovery or pain relief, you may want to give using a hand massager a try.
Hand massagers are designed to stimulate the muscles and break down knots using external pressure, as opposed to internal pulses.
They can still offer improved recovery and pain relief, but don’t alter the functions of the body in a way that may be off putting for some people.
Options like the Theracane Massager offer a rudimentary solution to many of the same problems people use electric muscle stimulators to resolve.
So, if you would like a slightly more natural option to help you solve your problem, perhaps try giving one of these a go instead.
Conclusion
Smart TENS Device - App Controlled Wireless Electrical Muscle Stimulator (Black)
As we bring our review of the PowerDot 2.0 EMS device to a close, you will hopefully now have a much clearer understanding of all of the benefits it can offer and have decided whether or not it is the product for you.
Even if it isn’t quite your preferred option, the list of alternatives we have covered will surely have helped you find one that is.
So, if you have been considering using electric muscle stimulator devices to improve performance, relieve pain, or speed up recovery, but weren’t quite sold, you should now have enough information to convince you to take the plunge and experience all of the benefits they can offer for yourself.