EnerVive Muscle Conditioning

I’m very familiar with the technology behind the EnerVive Muscle Conditioning System by Slendertone since I’ve been using a TENS Unit (a.k.a. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) for years. In the past, obtaining a TENS Unit for personal use was quite difficult. It required a medical prescription to rent or purchase the unit outright. Currently, we’re renting a TENS Unit from our chiropractor at $25 per month, after insurance. It comes with as many pads as we need so I thought it would be the perfect time to compare the two machines.

A TENS Unit sends mild electrical pulses to various nerves to help alleviate muscle pain without the use of prescription drugs. As it sends short bursts of low frequency electricity to the nerves, the body releases endorphins which act like a natural pain-killer. Some people have even experienced the loosening of muscle tightness. The EnerVive works pretty much the same way.

There are many similarities between the TENS Unit and the EnerVive. Both units are pocket-sized and run on batteries. They both require the use of reusable electrode patches and electrode lead wires. And they both include adjustable controls.

The difference between the TENS Unit and the EnerVive are slim, but there are some differences. There are two lead wires on the TENS Unit with each wire containing two pins: one red, one black. Each pin receives its own pad. When placing the pads on the body, they must be placed with the red and black pinned pads crossing each other. It’s vital that they cross or the unit won’t perform correctly. And, per our chiropractor’s instructions, the pads must be placed around the area of treatment for where the pads form an invisible x is where the treatment actually takes place.

The EnerVive also contains two lead wires: one blue, one black. There are two pads shaped like butterflies. The EnerVive pads are twice the size of the single pads used for the TENS Unit and appear to be thicker and stickier. The pins on one wire share one pad. While the pads do not need to be crossed or placed around the treatment area to work properly they must be used correctly to work. There’s a chat included with the system to show proper application. For instance, you cannot place one pad on the left side of your chest and one pad on the right side of your chest simultaneously and you cannot place the pads on your head, face, neck, or spine. You can, however, place two pads on the left and ride side of your upper back, lower back, abs, and butt cheeks. You can also place one pad on your left thigh while placing the other pad on your right thigh—or calves, biceps, and triceps.

The big difference is in the control dials. The TENS Unit is very simple to use. One control dial for each wire. Each control goes from zero to eight. The EnerVive is completely digital and a little more complicated to use—at first. It has an up and down arrow for each wire which allows you to increase the intensity of the electronic pulses according to your comfort level. It has a lock key which keeps your session selection from inadvertently getting changed. It has a trigger button which allows you to increase intensity for as long as you hold down the button, then reverting back to your original setting once you release the button. And it has a program button which allows you to select up to six pre-programmed settings.

The display pad allows you to monitor your session. It tells you which program you’ve selected, your total treatment to date, how much power your battery has left, and finally, the coolest feature of all—a “pad contact indicator” which tells you if your pad isn’t adhered correctly or if your pin isn’t connecting with the pad correctly.

As for how the commercial unit, EnerVive, stands up to the professional unit, I have to say that it does a fantastic job! You feel the tingly, prickling electronic impulses working. It did what it was supposed to do and that was relieve pain and help release the tension and tightness in my muscles.

Personally, I prefer the butterfly pads on the EnerVive unit over the pads of on the TENS Unit. The EnerVive pads held their stickiness longer. After only a few uses with the TENS Unit, the pads already have to be replaced. The pads on the EnerVive, however, are still going strong. I also like the program settings on the EnerVive. It feels a little more customizable and user friendly—once you get the hang of the system.

The EnerVive (http://www.slendertoneusa.com/Product.aspx?ID=106), however, isn’t cheap! Currently, the price is set at $179.99 for the unit—which comes with two butterfly pads. Replacement pads (http://www.slendertoneusa.com/Product.aspx?ID=128) are $34.99 for one set, $49.99 for three sets, and $62.99 for six sets of pads. The good news is that it comes with a 2 year manufacturer’s warranty and has been cleared by the FDA to be used without a medical prescription.

That being said, if you’re going to use this device, seek medical advice first. There are literally four pages of warnings, disclaimers, and caveats that shouldn’t be taken lightly; especially if you have a heart condition or suffer from epilepsy.