EMS in Poland: Why Electrical Muscle Stimulation Is Conquering the Fitness Market
In 2015, just a handful of studios in Poland offered EMS training. Today that number has surpassed 600, and forecasts for 2027 point to over 1,000 active locations. This is growth that is hard to ignore — for investors and existing fitness club owners alike.
Electrical muscle stimulation — EMS for short — was for decades the exclusive domain of physiotherapists and elite athletes. The breakthrough came when equipment manufacturers began producing lighter, wireless suits adapted for fitness training. Poland joined this wave relatively late, but is catching up at a remarkable pace.
Numbers That Speak for Themselves
According to data collected by the Polish Fitness Association and industry reports from 2024-2025, the Polish EMS market is growing at 25-30% per year. By comparison, the overall fitness market in Poland grows at around 8-10% annually. EMS is therefore growing three times faster than the industry it operates within.
- Estimated total value of the Polish EMS market in 2025: 380-420 million PLN
- Number of active EMS studios: over 600 (as of end of 2025)
- Average EMS session price: 100-180 PLN (45 minutes)
- Average monthly sessions per client: 4-6
- Projected number of studios by 2027: 1,000-1,200
A single EMS studio serves an average of 80-120 active clients per month with just 2-3 training stations. A traditional fitness club needs several times the floor space and staff to achieve comparable revenue.
Poland vs. Western Europe
EMS is not uniquely a Polish phenomenon. Germany is the undisputed European leader — the market there counts over 3,000 studios and is estimated to be worth 1.2 billion EUR annually. Austria and Switzerland developed this sector from the mid-2010s. Poland entered this path with a delay of approximately 5-7 years.
- Germany: approx. 36 studios / million inhabitants
- Austria: approx. 28 studios / million inhabitants
- Poland: approx. 16 studios / million inhabitants
- Czech Republic: approx. 9 studios / million inhabitants
- Romania: approx. 4 studios / million inhabitants
If Poland reaches the Austrian level — which at current growth rates could happen within 4-6 years — the market will exceed 1,000 studios. That is the baseline scenario, not the optimistic one.
Who Uses EMS in Poland? Client Demographics
Data from Polish EMS studios shows a clear dominant client profile: a person aged 30-50, professionally active, with a net monthly income above 7,000 PLN. Women account for approximately 62% of all clients, men 38% — though the male share is growing, particularly in the performance and sports training segment.
- Time efficiency: clients value the 20-minute session versus 60-90 minutes at a traditional gym
- Personalization: 1-on-1 with a trainer suits those who feel uncomfortable in large gym environments
- Results: studies show 30-40% higher muscle activation compared to classic strength training
- Rehabilitation: many clients have orthopedic conditions and seek a safe alternative to external loading
Studio Density: Where Are the Blank Spots on the Map?
Like any emerging market, EMS in Poland is concentrated in large urban agglomerations. Warsaw has over 120 studios today, Krakow around 55, Wroclaw 45, the Tricity area 40. Together these four markets account for roughly 43% of all Polish EMS locations.
- Cities of 100,000-300,000 residents: Rzeszow, Bydgoszcz, Lublin, Bialystok — 3-8 studios each, well below their potential
- Affluent suburbs around major metropolises — high incomes but no local offering
- Tourist towns with seasonal traffic — potential for a hybrid business model
Summary
The Polish EMS market is in a phase of intense growth but has not yet reached saturation. Comparative data from Western Europe indicates that the sector has at least 5-7 years of dynamic development ahead. For studio owners, this means both opportunity and challenge.
An opportunity because demand is real and growing. A challenge because more studios mean more competition — and winners will distinguish themselves not by equipment alone, but by service quality, client retention, and business management skills. These elements are becoming more important than simply owning an EMS suit.
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