Behind Sarah Michelle Gellar EMS Fitness Workout Obsession

Sarah Michelle Gellar became recognized all over the world in the late 1990s as Buffy Summers, the famous vampire killer on the WB show Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997–2003). After all these years, a new season of Buffy is coming out, and Gellar, who is 48 years old, is getting ready to play a part that needs the same amount of strength and movement as it did in the first season. And she is not just keeping up — she’s thriving.

So what’s her secret weapon? An Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) suit.

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What Is EMS Training?

EMS, which stands for “electromyostimulation,” makes muscles tighter by using electricity. It’s thought that the electricity in the machine will make your muscles work harder, so you can get more out of your workout without having to lift heavy things.

Electrodes built into the vest send mild electrical shocks to specific muscle groups. This is how an EMS vest works. There are impulses that act like the signals your brain would normally send to your muscles, making them contract.

EMS uses low-frequency electrical impulses that mimic your body’s natural muscle contractions but enhance them, engaging more muscle fibers — more deeply, and more efficiently — than voluntary movement alone.

How Sarah Michelle Gellar Uses It

Gellar talked about her health and exercise routine in an interview with Elle magazine. She also talked about the tech-savvy workout hack she uses. “Science has evolved, and working out has gotten even more interesting,” she said. “I do different wellness things all the time to prepare for life.”

She explained, “I recently discovered electromagnetic stimulation, which is one of my favorite things. We do a full gym routine, or I’ll take a Pilates class on a reformer, but wearing the EMS suit. It’s kind of like doubling up your workout at the same time.”

The suit is surprisingly simple to use. “It’s a little battery pack that attaches to the suit,” Gellar explained. “Then I just go to the gym and push the sled. I’ll do it using kettlebells; yesterday, I used the ski machine while wearing it.”

She also uses a dedicated EMS vest, which she credits for toning and improving bone density — and she can do it just twice a week for about 20 minutes, cutting down the time she spends on her workouts.

What Does Science Say About EMS?

The buzz around EMS is backed by growing research. Up to 90% of your muscle fibers are worked at the same time during an EMS practice, which can be as effective as 90 minutes of regular training.

The effectiveness of WB-EMS in the gain of muscle mass, loss of fat mass, and improvements in functionality was proved by the fact that the procedure is effective in increasing muscle mass, decreasing fat mass, and improving functional capacity among physically inactive subjects.

Moreover, as mentioned in a 2025 systematic review, there were six studies proving a significant increase in athletic performance because of local or WB-EMS applications, and there were four studies that proved the efficiency of EMS in recovery from fatigue after exercise or even injuries.

Nevertheless, it is not a panacea. A systematic review reveals that WB-EMS training increases muscle strength and mass, reduces body fat percentage, and improves endurance capacity when compared to a control group that had no training at all. However, when comparing WB-EMS training to other types of training, there are no apparent benefits. To put it simply, EMS is a powerful addition to normal exercise, not a replacement for it.

EMS + Strength Training + Pilates: Gellar’s Full Routine

Gellar’s approach is holistic. “I’ve added lifting into my life. That’s something I’ve always avoided, especially as an actor,” she told Parade. “As you get older, you realize, as a female, you have to focus on bone density. I work with a trainer once or twice a week for real strength training, and I also love Pilates.”

Her mindset around weights has evolved too. “I used to think, ‘I don’t want to bulk up.’ But then you realize, as women, specifically, as you get older, lifting is really important. The connotation of lifting weights is not so I look like The Rock. It’s so that I can keep the muscle that I’m losing as I get older.”

She also stays busy by hiking, swimming, and surfing outside. Every weekend, she blends kale, spinach, celery, and lettuce to make fresh green juice to fuel her workouts.

Should You Try EMS Training?

EMS training is rapidly spreading from the wellness routines of celebrities to the general exercise classes. Celebrities such as Tom Holland and Cindy Crawford enjoy participating in EMS exercises. It seems like an excellent option for individuals who lack sufficient time, dislike regular exercise, or seek alternative ways of working out.

However, one needs to remember that the EMS exercise must be conducted by a qualified adult in all instances where the full body suit is utilized. Moreover, individuals with pacemakers, pregnancy, skin or brain disorders need to consult their physicians before performing EMS exercises.

The Bottom Line

At age 48, Sarah Michelle Gellar is not magically fit and strong. EMS exercises, strength training, Pilates, outdoor activities, and controlled nutrition are all included in this holistic exercise program based on scientific principles. Although EMS does not completely substitute for workouts at the gym, its popularity as an effective and fast muscle workout system has started to make itself felt in the world of fitness and health.