A piece of equipment known for supporting a revolution in body weight training and a very popular “craze” in the fitness industry right now is the TRX Suspension Trainer.  Many professional athletes, MMA fighters, and celebrities have been known to train with the TRX making this piece of equipment a staple in many top personal trainers’ “bag of tricks” in order to continue to challenge clients and prevent boredom in their workouts.

What is it?

The TRX suspension trainer is a piece of equipment that can be used for simple and ultimately challenging exercises and workouts.  It was originally created by a Navy Seal who was tired of not having any exercise equipment or space to perform exercises for his whole body while on duty; therefore, it was designed to take up very little space and be versatile enough that it can be used for training indoor, outdoor, and virtually anywhere.  This is apparent through the name of the company that created it “Fitness Anywhere” (www.FitnessAnywhere.com). 

The suspension trainer itself can be packed into a small mesh bag for easy portability and convenience and is a comprised of two 6 to 7 foot heavy duty nylon straps with soft foam handles at the end of each strap.  The straps are adjustable in length to accommodate any size individual and different positions required for the multitude of exercises that can be performed with the TRX.  It can be attached very easily around anything strong enough to withstand the user’s body weight and is also available with a door hanger, again to be hooked into a door way strong enough to hold the users body weight. 

 Benefits of training with the TRX:

• Although many exercises with the TRX require a great deal of core and overall functional strength, most exercises can be adapted for the beginner, elderly, or the extremely overweight individual.
• It takes up very little space, is easily portable, and is considerably affordable.
• Exercise with the TRX can be performed indoors or outdoors.  Whether you are in a gym, home gym, garage, hotel room, a full body workout can be done ANYWHERE!  It can even be hooked around a sturdy tree to take your workout to the park on a sunny day.
• TRX training can be added into any workout in conjunction with free weights, body weight exercises, and weight machines.
• The TRX can be used for upper body, lower body, and core strength exercises, balance training, flexibility training, or plyometric training to name a few, but the possibilities are endless depending on your degree of creativity with the device.

Check out this video of me demonstrating some of the MANY exercises that can be performed with the TRX:

I have been training with the TRX and using it with clients for approximately 3 years now and I highly recommend it to anyone looking add variety to their workout.  I have used it with a wide array of clientele including professional, college, and high school level athletes, as well as weekend warriors, those new to working out, and even in a rehabilitation setting.  The results and feedback from all clients have been similar-“2 thumbs up!”

Due to the small learning curve in TRX exercises, it is very important to start slow, get lot’s of practice, watch the introductory DVD that comes with the purchase of most TRX’s, and possibly book a session with a TRX certified trainer in your area to ensure you are performing all exercises properly to reap the benefits and avoid risk of injury. 

Email Michelle@CORE-Condition.com for more information on TRX training and other recommended fitness products.

Michelle Roots BA KIN, CSCS, PES

www.CORE-Condition.com