TeslaFormer Review
Marilyn Monroe via Pinterest

Writing about health and beauty means I’m constantly bombarded with pseudoscientific claims – miracle treatments that promise the world. But when I heard about the TeslaFormer treatment offered at Body Catalyst, my interest piqued. Sure, the claims were grandiose (up to 50,000 crunches in 30 minutes without having to break a sweat!) but the science was there to back it up. Essentially, the TeslaFormer is a device that’s both medical-grade and TGA-approved, and uses functional magnetic stimulation to stimulate muscle contraction:

“TeslaFormer uses FMS (Functional Magnetic Stimulation) technology which delivers magnetic energy (3 Tesla) to the peripheral nerve of the muscle in order for it to contract the muscles to %100 of its strength, known as supramaximal contractions. The contractions you achieve with TeslaFormer is impossible to be achieved with a regular exercise. When you are exercising a muscle, the body will only allow you to contract that muscle to %40 of its maximum potential.”

What also resonated was that it’s marketed not just as a muscle-toning treatment but as a medical device for back pain, ab separation and pelvic floor issues. So unlike other weight-loss “miracle cures” this felt like a proven, legitimate option. And who doesn’t want to tone up a little without the need for pre-dawn Pilates? Obviously, not me!

Armed with the above intel, I booked in for six TeslaFormer treatment sessions at my nearest Body Catalyst clinic. The TeslaFormer can treat the abdominals, hips and quads, but I opted for glutes (an area somewhat immune to exercise, in my experience). The treatments were quick (30 minutes), painless and almost relaxing – probably because you can’t have your phone on you so it’s almost a forced switch-off. We tracked my progress with before and afters, and while I won’t subject you to them, by session six I was tighter, lifted and more toned. It wasn’t a HUGE difference, but it was 100 per cent noticeable. In short, I was thrilled. But for anyone who does love a before and after, see them on the Body Catalyst website here.

While pain-free and easy, TeslaFormer is still a decision that requires consideration, so to help answer more questions, I asked Body Catalyst CEO and Founder Samantha Barakat Light to take us through some FAQ’s below.

Read reading for the info. 

 

What is Teslaformer is and how does it work?

“The TeslaFormer is a revolutionary muscle strengthening and sculpting technology. It uses FMS (functional magnetic stimulation) technology via Tesla energy to cause involuntary muscle contractions to stimulate muscles above the level possible through exercise alone. Like exercise, it triggers motoric nerves and excites muscle contraction.

TeslaFormer lifts and firms the treated area, targeting deep into muscles that can be difficult to activate during exercise. In short, it builds muscle and burns fat.” – Body Catalyst CEO and Founder, Samantha Barakat Light

“The treatment itself depends on the area being targeted, but for the glutes, I laid face down and had the TeslaFormer “pads” strapped to my butt. They then vibrate intermittently for 30 minutes, moving up in strength from start to finish.” – Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor

What kind of results can you expect?

“The TeslaFormer has a variety of positive outcomes which come from the treatment:

  • Grows muscle mass
  • Burns fat
  • Increases muscle definition and tones abs, glutes, arms. Most major muscle groups can be treated (minus the head and the heart region).
  • Improves posture by strengthening your core muscles
  • Reduced separation in diastasis recti
  • Decreases back pain
  • Increases muscle strength.” – Body Catalyst CEO and Founder, Samantha Barakat Light

How long do results last?

“Like the muscle strength or definition results that we would get from training, TeslaFormer results also need to be maintained. This can vary from person to person depending on diet and/or exercise routine. At Body Catalyst, many clients choose to include TeslaFormer sessions as part of their ongoing training program to keep their muscles in peak strength and for aesthetic definition.” – Body Catalyst CEO and Founder, Samantha Barakat Light

“It’s been about eight months since I finished my treatment and even with a pandemic, I still feel like my butt is slightly more lifted than it was prior. The fact that there’s been a pandemic (and a few missed Pilates classes) probably haven’t helped, but overall I’m really impressed!” – Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor

Does it hurt? 

“Not at all! It’s a foreign feeling – like the area being treated is moving without your brain telling it to do so, but the pain is minimal, maybe a 1/10. In fact, I almost fell asleep during each half hour session.” – Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor

Is there downtime? 

“Zero! You can go straight back to work. Although I wouldn’t recommend scheduling treatment before or after a workout as you may experience muscle soreness.” – Emily Algar, Contributing Beauty Editor

How does it differ from other treatments like CoolSculpting or Cryolipolysis?

“One of the other treatments offered at Body Catalyst is Cryolipolysis (fat freezing) using Clatuu. People have a set number of fat cells in their bodies and when we lose or gain weight, those fat cells either shrink or expand, but do not leave the body. Cryolipolysis is known as non-surgical lipo as it permanently eliminates those fat cells in a non-invasive way. Each treatment permanently eliminates up to 20-30 per cent of fat cells by freezing the fat cells to the point of cell death, where it’s then naturally eliminated from the body via the liver and lymphatic system gradually over the course of 10-12 weeks.

The TeslaFormer builds muscle and burns fat and it’s a fantastic complement to Cryolipolysis. These treatments are often used together to continue to define an area after a client has had fat freezing and is looking to build muscle tone. TeslaFormer is also great for those wanting to increase muscle strength in the abdominal core, glutes or most major muscle groups, reduce post pregnancy diastasis recti and assists with decreasing lower back pain.” – Body Catalyst CEO and Founder, Samantha Barakat Light

Find out more about Body Catalyst’s TeslaFormer treatment here.