Trying Something New: Body20 in Franklin, TN
A fitness revolution: that’s the claim of Body20, one of Franklin’s newest personal training experiences. Upon researching the technique, I was met with an innovative, high-tech workout concept I was unfamiliar with: Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) fitness. This FDA-approved, technologically advanced exercise experience claims to have the ability to produce the same results as several hours of strength and endurance training—all in just 20 minutes.
EMS Fitness: How it Works
Via a suit covered in electrodes, EMS fitness allows for targeted muscle engagement over a short 20 minute period. During that time frame, the electrodes mimic the electric pulses of the brain, intensifying otherwise simple movement. Using these electric pulses, work outs are specifically tailored to client needs. With the combination of guidance from a Body20 coach and the technology of the EMS suit, you can achieve fitness goals in a fraction of the time. Due to the low impact of the workouts, Body20 technology also protects joints and improves circulation, helping the body heal faster after sessions.
Said to be the frontrunner in the EMS fitness industry, Body20 was created in 2013 by South African entrepreneur Bertus Albertus, who opened his first EMS gym at just 24 years old. The franchise, which currently has over 200 locations across the United States and South Africa, is projected to continue to grow in popularity and expansion.
Body20 Franklin
Body20’s Franklin studio has been operating since October 2024 and is located on Liberty Pike, right next to Row House. They are open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m.-8 p.m., with a brief, mid-day closure from 2-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday hours are 6 a.m. – 1 p.m. The studio is closed on Sundays.
Body20 offers a free demo session for those curious about the fitness technique. From there, pricing varies month to month and depends upon membership/session plans and how often a client comes in. There are 3 membership plans and 4 session packs available. There are 5 coaches at the Franklin location, each who work closely with their clients to help them achieve their goals.
The studio itself is small, with the workout space about as large as an at-home gym. There are only 1-2 clients being trained at a time, so each workout is private and one-on-one. If you want to workout with a friend or partner, it is the perfect space to do so. Your coach will take you through the session together, with personalized EMS modifications to each individual’s suit. Clients who come in regularly will already have their suits ready and personal information in the system, so that workouts are especially efficient and tailored to your progression.
Body20 Franklin Address: 1201 Liberty Pike #109, Franklin, TN 37067
Phone Number: (615) 538-1096
Experience: A Demo Session at Body20
To start my demo, I was given leggings and a shirt—Body20 outfits you for your workout—and an InBody scan. The InBody machine, essentially a high-tech scale, measures body mass, body fat percentage, visceral fat level, metabolic rate, and does ECW/ TBW analysis. Regular clients are scanned every few weeks to track their health and progress. I was especially impressed by the InBody’s ability to see where my muscles are more developed. Over time, I was told, the workout program evens out the imbalance of strength. For example, should I keep coming back, my left arm would likely catch up with my right arm in muscle size and tone.
Following the scan, I was suited up. The sequence was like something out of a spy movie: wireless electrode suits lined the wall under a neon sign reading “Step Into You.” The suit was chosen and sprayed with water to improve the conduction of the electrodes. I was then strapped into to the high-tech contraption that had the appearance and feel of a damp weighted vest, which was then properly tightened to ensure optimal results.
And then came the workout. I followed a coach into the studio and began an exercise session unlike anything I’ve experienced. First, a small device was attached to the hip of my suit, and the trainer began electrode stimulation. Because it was my first time, each muscle group was slowly introduced to the sensation: a pulsing, tingling feeling that seemed to go right into the center of the muscle. As the coach adjusted the suit via a control panel, I learned very quickly which parts of my body were more muscular, as the electrodes attached more intensely to those areas, with a feeling not dissimilar to a cramp. Despite the initial discomfort, however, my body quickly adjusted to the feeling.
Strength
Usually clients opt for 1 of 3 workout options: strength training, cardio, or rejuvenation, but for the sake of the demo I got the sampler platter. First, I was taken through a relatively low impact 10-minute strength set, which included standard motion such as squats, lunges, and bicep curls. The catch is—though the motions seemed relatively easy—the suit increases muscle strain and fatigue. The act of curling the small, silicone handhelds I was given required the same amount of effort as lifting something heavy, though the silicone could not have weighed more than a few ounces. That, in itself, was mind-boggling. The strength set was split into rounds, 30-seconds on, 10-seconds off, giving the body breif breaks from the EMS.
Cardio
For the 5 minute cardio session, however, there were no breaks. The sensation of the suit shifted, becoming more akin to someone tapping lightly, but consistently, on a bruise. I was taken through the motions of a low-impact cardio set, designed to get the heart rate up, but not nearly as intense as a HIIT circuit or a run. However, the muscles were more engaged despite the simple movement, due to the muscle stimulation.
Rejuvenation
Following the cardio, a 5 minute rejuvenation session required little effort on my part. I was instructed to either sit or lay down and was given a washcloth I pressed to my head and the back of the neck, all while the suit continued its targeted pulsing. I was told that several athletes and bodybuilders in the area use Body20’s rejuvenation sessions to help their muscles recover quickly during periods of intense training.
And that was it. 20 minutes. I got out of the EMS suit and was free to go about the rest of my day. I was encouraged to rehydrate with electrolytes after the workout, as the EMS suit dehydrates the muscles. I felt the impact of the workout almost immediately, and into the next couple of days, with the same level of soreness I would normally experience after a much longer, tougher workout.
More EMS Training in Franklin
EMS training is a growing trend in the fitness industry; in fact, Body20 isn’t the only facility that offers it in Franklin. Manduu, located in Franklin, and Brentwood, Tennessee, offers similar training, with some slight alterations. At Manduu, workouts are 15 minutes and are said to be slightly lower impact, with suits that are attached via wire to control panels. Regardless, the EMS workouts are similarly tailored to a client’s needs. Just like Body20, testimonials on the website speak to the incredible, life-changing result of EMS training as it has served the Franklin community and beyond.
New Ways to Stay Active
Whatever your workout method of choice, experiencing EMS training is worth your time. Besides its novelty, the training technique has the potential to change your fitness regime, regardless of your current goal or skill level. As with any health and fitness initiative, remember to listen to your body and find the workout method that best serves you. In any case, Body20 is a wonderful way to experience something new right here in Franklin, Tennessee. Consider taking advantage of a free demo session; you might find that the program is a good fit. Be prepared for sore muscles and a workout unlike any other!
