What Is Cutting-Edge EMS Training!? A Behind-the-Scenes Look at “SIXPAD LIVE STUDIO Harajuku” | We Went and Checked It Out

Hello! I’m Iizuka, a first-year employee who joined the company in April 2022, working in the Sports division of the Public Relations Business Headquarters, Bureau 3!

This may be sudden, but do you usually exercise?

“I can’t seem to keep it up…” “I know I should do it someday, but…” You hear that a lot, don’t you?Finding time to work out or going to the gym can be surprisingly difficult.

Many of you have probably thought, “I wish I could work out quickly and efficiently…”

Well, we have good news for you! There is a dream-like service that offers the perfect trio: “whenever you like, in a short time, and efficiently”!

It’s called SIXPAD HOME GYM! This time, our entire team tried the service, so we would like to share our experience with you.

What Is SIXPAD HOME GYM?

First, what exactly is SIXPAD HOME GYM (hereafter, SHG)? Here is a brief introduction to the service!

“High-efficiency training at home, whenever you like, in a short time!” This is SHG’s key feature.

If you are thinking, “Is that really possible?” what makes it possible is a technology called EMS (= electrical muscle stimulation), which “stimulates muscles with electricity.”

By exercising while wearing a Powersuit—a suit equipped with electrodes at 14 points across seven areas of the body—you can simultaneously target muscles throughout the entire body with EMS. For example, if you combine EMS with aerobic exercise on a bike, you can do strength training for not only the lower body but also the upper body, such as the abs, at the same time while doing cardio. It truly is a dream-like service!

SHG lessons can be taken online easily at home using the dedicated app, but at the live studio in Harajuku, you can take lessons in person on weekends only. This time, our members went undercover at the studio and tried a lesson!

Let’s Head to the Studio!

About a three-minute walk from Meiji-jingumae Station, we arrived at “SIXPAD LIVE STUDIO Harajuku”!

After going down the stairs, we checked in with the staff at a stylish front desk lit with orange lighting.

We quickly changed into the Powersuit and headed to the studio for the lesson. Here is what the studio looks like.

The stylish, modern lighting and interior really help boost your motivation!

All of us waited for the lesson to begin with excitement.

Training Finally Begins!

At SHG, you can receive training support from unique instructors called WAVERs. There is a wide variety of training programs, and you can choose one that suits your preferences, such as the area you want to work on and your level. On this day, we tried SHG’s signature menu that trains the “whole body” in a well-balanced way.

The standard format is two 10-minute sets, and the training is designed to be completed in about 30 minutes including intervals. Even busy people can train in spare moments, so this seems easy to stick with!

Supporting us for this training session was ENA, a WAVER. After a light stretch, it was finally time to start!

Amazed by EMS for the First Time!

As soon as the training began, EMS started flowing through the Powersuit. Members experiencing EMS for the first time let out surprised reactions! You can feel the stimulation twitching through you, but there is no pain or discomfort—it is oddly addictive. EMS levels range from 1 to 20, and you can choose your preferred intensity yourself, so you can train at a level that suits you.

Time for the First Set!

We started with squats. We were surprised that the EMS stimulation was not at a constant rhythm, but instead synced with the rhythm of our body movements…

In addition, the music and the graphics behind the WAVER are synchronized with the training movements, so you can intuitively understand when to move. Even beginners could likely train while enjoying the rhythm.

Next came twisting movements. When you twist, you feel the EMS stimulation twitching in your abdomen. It is great because you can clearly tell, “This is working my abs.” By the way, this movement was the toughest…

We also received timely advice such as, “It’s okay to put your knees down—don’t push yourself!” so being able to train at your own pace was excellent!

We finished by pushing ourselves with this pose. That concluded the first set.

It was only 10 minutes, but we were already sweating and could feel the effects of EMS. After a break, we hydrated and caught our breath. ENA also gave us a lesson on breathing techniques, which was a brief moment of relaxation. For the second set, we plan to raise the EMS level and give it a try 💪

Turning Up the Level and Pushing Hard!!

In the first set, the EMS level was 7. For the second set, we raised it to 14—and it was so tough that it felt like “the world changed…” just by increasing the level.

The members had this expression too (lol).

Even so, when we looked like we were struggling, ENA encouraged us. Unlike training alone in silence, having someone call out things like “One more!” helps you keep going without giving up!

And somehow, we all managed to finish the second set as well! To commemorate our hard work, we also took a photo with ENA.

We removed our masks only for the photo.

It was our first time exercising with EMS, so it was surprising at first, but as we kept moving, we got used to the stimulation and before we knew it, it no longer bothered us. Unlike training with weights or machines, it puts less strain on the body, such as the joints, so it is recommended for beginners and for women as well.

This time we tried it at the studio, but it is also great that you can take lessons at home “anytime, easily.” On the official app, you can also compete with other users based on your training score, so connecting with others online seems like it would boost motivation too 💪

If you are thinking, “I want to try it!” please be sure to check out the official website and social media!

“SIXPAD LIVE STUDIO Harajuku” Overview

Closed: Fridays
*Business hours and days vary depending on the lesson schedule.
Location: B1F, New Wave Harajuku, 4-32-12 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Official website: https://homegym.sixpad.jp/shop/livestudio
Official SNS: [Instagram] @sixpad_homegym [Twitter] @SixpadHomeGym