What is TRX Training?
You may have heard about TRX (total body resistance exercise) lately, or seen the strappy apparatus and wondered how it works. TRX suspension training straps look rather ordinary upon first glance, but the power of their potential to help you create strength is great. Developed by a Navy Seal, TRX suspension training routines leverage gravity, and the mass of your own body weight to sculpt and build your muscles – all within a minimum amount of space and small amount of time, as necessitated by a Navy Seal’s life. Although designed to meet the training demands of a Navy Seal, you need not be intimidated, TRX training is fun and suitable for all fitness levels, and getting started is easy. The apparatus works your body across multiple movement planes, utilizing a wide variety of muscles and joints. A simple routine, followed on a regular basis, will yield significant results.
In fact, a study published in the December of 2013 Journal of Fitness Research by researchers from the University of Wisconsin concluded that “TRX training improves muscular fitness in both younger and middle-aged adults [and is useful to] gain both core endurance and muscular strength simultaneously.” The study showed greater relative strength improvements in the TRX participants in the young adult group (aged 19 – 25) and middle-aged adult group (aged 44-64) for abdominal muscle endurance, and back muscle endurance (versus traditional resistance training.) Significant improvements in flexibility and balance were also gained. You can read the full study here. The study compared TRX training to regular resistance training using weight machines. While the biggest gains in improvement were in the core, participants also expressed their preference to TRX training over traditional methods because of its fun nature, and change from their regular routine.
I have trained a wide range of clients using TRX; male and female; beginners and advanced athletes; and all age groups. The response has been uniformly positive. Some were a little hesitant at first, thinking they couldn’t do it, but these same people were doing some very challenging balance and strength moves in no time. TRX can be an integral part of a personalized fitness program, or taken in a group setting. I offer group classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and they are a fun way to try out this new fitness advancement. All classes are $10 through the end of January. Click here to sign up for a class or to schedule an appointment for a personalized fitness session.