Thursday, June 4, 2015
There have been all sorts of workout trends over the years. Some come and go after a short buzz of popularity but others are proving to stand the test of time. So we wanted to take a closer look at the TRX Suspension Training workout and see if it really lived up to all the hype and if we thought it would be a workout option here to stay.
According to the official TRX website:
"Born in the Navy SEALs, Suspension Training bodyweight exercise develops strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. It requires the use of the TRX Suspension Trainer, a highly portable performance training tool that leverages gravity and the user’s body weight to complete hundreds of exercises."
So the TRX Suspension Trainer consists of two adjustable straps with handles and foot cradles that uses gravity and your own bodyweight to perform the exercises. As you adjust your body position with the suspension trainer you can change the difficulty and resistance of each movement. This is a workout routine that can be done in home or through a group workout setting at your local gym.
From the TRX Training website:
The TRX Suspension Trainer:
- Delivers a fast, effective total-body workout
- Helps build a rock-solid core
- Increases muscular endurance
- Benefits people of all fitness levels (pro athletes to seniors)
- Can be set-up anywhere (gym, home, hotel or outside)
“The Suspension Trainer is so efficient because every movement requires the integration of core, mobility, stability, strength, balance, and coordination, among others,” says TRX Founder and former Navy SEAL, Randy Hetrick. “Often, traditional workout programs have the participant working on isolation instead of integration, but life and human movement requires integration of the body and its systems. Performing exercises that promote more integration will lend itself to faster results!”
Check out the TRX workout in action...
How Difficult Is Suspension Training?
No matter your current fitness level, the first time you use the TRX Suspension Trainer you might feel a little awkward until you get your bearings. If you are just starting to workout again or you don't have much core strength you are going to find this a bit challenging at first. Standard exercises such as push ups, chest press and tricep press can all be accomplished with the TRX system but with a twist because your core and other areas of your body are constantly engaged as you try to maintain your balance throughout the exercise.
TRX recommends that you master the basics first such as planking, pushing, pulling, squatting and lunging before moving on to more complex moves. Mastering these basic moves will ensure your aptitude of more advanced moves and lessen your chance of injury. Remember, these moves may seem simple at first but adding that suspension element will challenge your balance like you've never experienced before. The fact that your core is constantly engaged makes this a killer workout. You're developing your core, stability and balance with each move!
Who Is This Workout For?
If you are looking to build a little muscle, tone up and increase you core strength then a TRX Suspension Training workout is for you!
“Traditionally, building muscle mass generally requires external load (weights),” says Hetrick. “That being said, the Suspension Trainer lends itself to increasing core strength and stability, which is incredibly important when lifting weights. So using it in combination with weight training can help anyone build muscle mass — should that be their goal — more effectively with a reduced chance of injury.”
The TRX system wasn't designed to replace weight training but it's definitely great for building core strength and use in addition to your other workouts. And if you are new to working out or weight training you will probably notice some good muscle-building results from just using the TRX.
So Is Suspension Training Here To Stay
Definitely! This type of workout is like nothing you will have ever tried and is a workout that can be adjusted to match your personal fitness level. That is one of the biggest strengths of this type of workout -- you can increase the challenge of each exercise quite a bit by simply adjusting the bands or your body's position when holding the bands.
So whether you are going to do suspension training at home or in a group class setting, there are a variety of exercises you can do with the TRX Suspension Trainers and each exercise will challenge your core and coordination—seriously. Every. Single. One. If you purchase a TRX system to use at home, you will be provided with an introduction and instructional DVD to follow until you feel comfortable doing each exercise on your own.
A few other things we like about the TRX Suspension Training System is that it provides you the ability to strengthen every major muscle group with one piece of equipment and you can easily progress as your fitness level changes -- you can change the intensity level of your workout by simply changing your body position. The more you "lean" during an exercise, the more body-weight resistance you use. And the inverse applies...the more you stand upright, the less body-weight resistance you employ.
Definitely! This type of workout is like nothing you will have ever tried and is a workout that can be adjusted to match your personal fitness level. That is one of the biggest strengths of this type of workout -- you can increase the challenge of each exercise quite a bit by simply adjusting the bands or your body's position when holding the bands.
So whether you are going to do suspension training at home or in a group class setting, there are a variety of exercises you can do with the TRX Suspension Trainers and each exercise will challenge your core and coordination—seriously. Every. Single. One. If you purchase a TRX system to use at home, you will be provided with an introduction and instructional DVD to follow until you feel comfortable doing each exercise on your own.
A few other things we like about the TRX Suspension Training System is that it provides you the ability to strengthen every major muscle group with one piece of equipment and you can easily progress as your fitness level changes -- you can change the intensity level of your workout by simply changing your body position. The more you "lean" during an exercise, the more body-weight resistance you use. And the inverse applies...the more you stand upright, the less body-weight resistance you employ.
The TRX Suspension Trainers are affordable, portable and don't take up much space. One thing to note about using this system at home: When you anchor the Trainer to the door, you have to have a door that closes and you have to stand on the side of the door that pulls the door closed. That might not leave you with much room depending on the layout of your house. I found that using my bedroom closet door was perfect and gave plenty of room for any of the exercises.
The TRX Suspension Training workout is just the thing to change up your workouts and continue challenging yourself if you have been strength training for a while and are looking for something new. If you are interested in finding out if Suspension Training workouts are for you check out your local gym and try a TRX class! We think you'll be glad you did!
Have you ever tried a TRX workout? Would you want to?
_________________________________________________________________________
Check out these...