Extreme athlete and quadruple amputee Alex Lewis believes that Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) training should be offered to all amputees, following his own experience of using the technology to prepare for fund-raising challenges.

Lewis spoke to HCM (April 2019 issue) while training towards an expedition to climb one of Africa's highest mountains, Ras Dashen in Ethiopia, in September in a hand-propelled moon buggy. The expedition will raise money to open a wheelchair factory in the country.

Since losing all four limbs in 2013 to a rare flesh-eating infection ‒ he was given just days to live at one point ‒ Lewis has set up The Alex Lewis Trust Foundation, which raises funds for prosthetics and wheelchair and home adjustments for amputees.

The extreme challenges he now undertakes require a tailored exercise programme, and he has found that EMS, which was recommended for strength gains, core stability and posture correction, is key to his success.

The training works by providing an external stimulus to engage muscle fibres that might otherwise be difficult to target.

Lewis said he noticed dramatic improvements in his physical capacity, strength and posture within weeks of starting to work with Fast Track EMS in Hampshire on Miha equipment.

"I wish I'd found EMS when I was in rehab, as I would have become much more independent much faster with its help," he told HCM. "The kit works different areas of your body at varying levels. It's a perfectly targeted workout that should be offered to all amputees when they go into rehab to get their muscles working properly."

Its benefits stretch much further than just training for extreme challenges, as well.

"I need to keep in strong physical condition for the rest of my life," Lewis added, "ensuring my body is able to cope with everyday tasks in order to live with a degree of independence. EMS is helping me to do just that."

To read the full article see the April 2019 of HCM here