TRX Training Tips & Workouts

Make Your Body Your Machine

I've been incorporating TRX into my workouts and loving the results in fact it's EPIC !

What is TRX you might be asking and What is suspension training / a suspension trainer

The term suspension training refers to an approach to strength training that uses a system of ropes and webbing called a "suspension trainer" to allow the user to work against their own body weight.

 TRX is a suspension training tool developed by a company called Fitness Anywhere.
Basically the TRX suspension trainer is a special set of straps and handles that allow for portable, body-weight based training that can help build strength, balance, flexibility, and core stability for people of all fitness levels.

 

Appears courtesy of Fresh and Fit Blog.
My gym was offering free trials of TRX Training, so of course I took advantage of it.
“What is TRX?” you ask.
TRX : Born in the U.S. Navy SEALS and developed by Fitness Anywhere®, Suspension Training® is a revolutionary method of leveraged bodyweight exercise. Easily set up the portable TRX® Suspension Trainer™ and you’re in control. Safely perform hundreds of exercises that build power, strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, and prevent injuries, all at the intensity you choose.
With the help of the suspension cords, participants use their own body weight as resistance, increasing or decreasing the resistance against gravity based on an individualized fitness level.


The trial was great. Very informative, and challenging! We first went through how to adjust the suspension cords, how to hold the grip and to away have perfect posture throughout every move.
The great thing about TRX is that with each move the core muscles are always engaged to stabilize the body, so with every exercise you get core ab workout too. Score!
Once we were set up, we started with squats. The trainer showed us how to use the suspension cords in order to lower ourselves into a lower squat. She then showed us level 2, one leg squat with the opposite leg stabilizing in front, and level 3, with opposite leg off the ground.
The next move we tried was a push up. We had to trust the cords by leaning our entire body weight on them at a 45 degree angle and pushing up. It is much harder that traditional push ups because there is no stable point under the hands (aka the floor). With the suspension cords, a reliance on total body stability is needed to complete the move.
Next,we did some hamstring curls, some reverse crunches and reverse chest flies. We were giving the option to stay at level one or move up to level three, with the trainer demonstrating each level. I tried all three, and level three is challenging! I could only do one or two reps at this level.
Another great think about this training is that even though you are in a small group (3-4 people) you can personalize the moves. If the person next to you is at level one you can be at level two or three. Being able to interact so closely with the trainer is great too. Not like in a body pump class with 20 people or more.
My only dislike with the system is that the classes are being held on the main gym floor. I don’t like having everyone in the gym watching, curiously about what the heck is going on. I would feel much more comfortable if the class was held in the group finesses room, but I know that isn’t possible with the gyms hefty class schedule. The other thing I found a little frustrating was how close everyone was to each other. I like my personal space and I feel like it could be violated very easily in this tight nit setting.
I’m really glad to have tried this training. Even though I lift weights consistently and consider my self to have pretty good strength and balance, I was definitely challenged by this training.