Created by former-Navy SEAL, Randy Hetrick, the concept for the TRX Suspension Trainer is simple: a bodyweight fitness device that could be used almost anywhere to stay in-shape and build strength. The TRX Suspension Trainer exploded in popularity and is widely used in professional sports leagues and strength and conditioning facilities. Numerous athletes also employ it in their training including Drew Brees, Carmelo Anthony, Heather Mitts, and Trent Edwards, to name a few.
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It features two adjustable straps and an anchor that can be wrapped around a stable object in a gym – and even outdoors – for a quick workout. It’s also lightweight, durable, and can be used for many different exercises.
Benefits of TRX Suspension Trainer
TRX Suspension Trainer advertises that it “builds muscle and burns fat,” “strengthens your chest and arms,” “increases flexibility and endurance,” and develops a “rock-hard core.” It’s like a portable gym that is quick to setup, offers a great workout, and is only limited by your imagination. Chris Frankl, Head of Human Development, also listed these three reason as to why he thought the TRX was one of the best tools out there:
All Core, All the Time
You’re using your core on every exercise because – with suspension training – your core has work to maintain a good, rigid posture. This hits your core by forcing it to resist twisting and bending.
Best Pulling Piece of Equipment
For those with shoulder problems, the handles can twist, which better matches your natural movement. It’s also easy to progress/regress: just take a step towards the anchor point and make it harder. (And if that’s too easy, put your feet on a box and throw on a weighted vest.)
Great Unilateral Piece of Equipment
Unilateral training targets just one side of the body, which eliminates left-right asymmetries, improves functional strength, and reduces injury risk. (You don’t want 80% of your back squat coming from your right leg and 20% from your left leg, right?) You can loop a handle around one leg and do a Bulgarian Split Squat or put the handles together do a single-arm pull.
Effectiveness of TRX Suspension Trainer
The TRX Suspension Trainer should be a staple in anyone’s strength program. It offers so many exercises that target the major muscle groups: quads, glutes, hamstrings, chest, back, shoulders, etc. It’s easy to use and teach because you can regress an exercise for even the most deconditioned client, yet crush an athlete with an advanced movement. It also challenges your stability, your core, and your small, stabilizing muscles. Try pushups with the TRX and feel your shoulder stabilizers burning. Or lay on your back, put your heels in the handles for SHELCs, and feel your hamstrings almost explode.
The convenience is great, too. If you travel a lot and don’t have time to find a gym, just wrap the anchor around a bar or even a sturdy tree branch and get your workout in. Very few products offer the versatility of the TRX — with a small amount of space in your room or gym, you can do dozens of different movements.
For overall fitness, however, the TRX should not be your only tool. Sure, it can build muscle and burn fat, but so can heavy squats and deadlifts. And while bodyweight training is a phenomenal way to build athleticism, resistance training with weights should not be ignored to develop bone, ligament, and joint strength.
You can order the TRX Suspension Trainer at www.trxtraining.com. It also comes in three varieties: Home, Professional, and Military, each with varying durability, build, and anchor points. TRX also has a Rip Trainer, which uses a resistance cord to add an unbalanced load to your workouts.