So I spent most of November just hanging around the gym. Literally. As in from cables suspended from the ceiling (or the chin-up bar, or the cable machine, or my really tall friends…). I think my favorite part of the Suspenion Training Experiment besides the massive amounts of weird looks we got – seriously, one man would just follow us around the gym floor with the express purpose of rolling his eyes at us. I don’t think his body got a lot of exercise but I bet he has the strongest eye sockets in the midwest! – was what people thought the TRX actually was.
“Now don’t hang yourself!” (a noose.)
“Can you do an Iron Cross on those thingies?” (gymnastic rings.)
And my personal favorite: “Can I borrow your sex swing?” (ahem.)
It even earned us a first in Gym Buddy History: our own personal warning sign! After working out for several weeks on the TRX, using both my own and the identical one that the Y has, the Gym Buddies and I were greeted one morning by a sign that read “Equipment in this room (a studio open to the gym public, I might add) is for use only with a personal trainer after the proper training. Sincerely, Gym Management.“
It might as well have said “Dear Charlotte and Allison, we fear you and think your crazy antics will land us in a law suit. If we knew a better way to get you kicked out of the gym we’d do it, but in the meantime we’re hoping that you don’t see this sign so we can catch you doing something naughty (like *gasp* exercising!) and give you the boot. Sincerely, Gym Managment.”
I didn’t do it but I was sorely tempted to tack on a post-it note replying, “Dear YMCA, I would like to say that the TRX is probably the least risky piece of equipment in the gym. You could do more damage to life, limb and property with an improperly wielded 50-lb dumbbell than a couple of straps with handles on them. If you want to get worked up about something, how about cracking down on folks who sit on the locker room benches starkers? Now that’s a health risk. Sincerely, The Gym Buddies.”
Now that I’ve left you with the image of nude 80-year-olds lounging on benches burned into your retinas, let’s discuss how the TRX fared as an actual workout. Since the TRX replaced only our weight lifting (we kept our cardio the same), I didn’t expect a huge change in body composition and I was correct. My weight, body fat percentage and measurements all stayed the same.
The Good
But where the TRX really shone was in its adaptability, portability and flexibility. Quite honestly, if I were interested in setting up a home gym – which I’m not because then who would leave me passive-aggressive signage to brighten my day? – this would be the first piece of equipment I’d buy. Yes, even before a set of kettlebells. Since suspension training uses only your own body weight and gravity as resistance, it is very light and therefore super portable. You can work every muscle group to failure with just a couple of nylon straps. I love the simplicity. In addition to being able to shove it into a carry-on, it is very easy to set up, adjust and take down, whether it be in your hotel room, spare bedroom or even outside attached to a telephone pole.
Not only is it good for traditional type strength training, it is also great for stretching and some pilates moves. Pretty much every move engages your core because of the instability created by the straps. I’ve never been so sore in my torso and I think I’ve got a pretty strong core.
It’s easy. Easy to set up. Easy to figure out. Easy to learn the new moves. Very low maintenance!
The Bad
The main thing I didn’t like about the TRX is you are somewhat limited in the moves you can do. I suppose some of you are more imaginative than I am but I tried every single exercise that came on the DVDs or the website and there were a few bodyparts that left me stymied as to alternate exercises. After we were banned (for our own safety, I’m sure) from using the second TRX, the Gym Buddies and I moved out to the weight floor where we incorporated the TRX with some barbell and floor work to make a circuit which all of us enjoyed very much. So my opinion is that if you have the option, using the TRX with other forms of exercise equipment is preferable to the TRX alone. But really, that’s not much of a downside.
Also, the “shoe loops” are kind of small. I have normal sized feet for a woman (size 8 US) and could barely cram my heels in. Gym Buddy Mike couldn’t do it at all. The instructions say to wear “low profile shoes” but we had to strip down to socks to get enough room for everyone’s tootsies to fit. But you don’t have to tell me twice to workout barefoot – my piggies love their freedom!
It’s spendy. The basic package starts at $149.95.
Conclusions
This has got to be one of my favorite pieces of gym equipment ever. I’m in love with it. And if you are interested in trying it out, right now Fitness Anywhere is offering 20% off all their TRX products plus free ground shipping! Just use the coupon code SAVEBIG08 at checkout! Happy swinging!
Any of you try this? Thoughts??
Hi Charlotte. My name is Laura Bradbury. I am Becky Evans’ little sister. I just wanted to let you know that I have been reading your blog and I think it is really interesting and informative
Passive aggressive notes are definitely one reason why I avoid the gym, also – why has that guy been sitting on the piece of equipment I need for 20 min?
From your enthusiastic endorsement, I'm going to look more seriously at TRX. Buying more equipment sure does make my sons worry about the status of their playroom – how long until mom & dad take it over with all of THEIR toys?
Man, have you got me intrigued! I need to see one in person to get a full idea of how this works, but I can just see it infiltrating the loot bags of home health physical therapists everywhere!
and by home health physical therapists you mean MizFit yes?
Id love one for hanukkah. please to contact the ren.man.
They’re just jealous because you’re having fun.
The suspension training does look absolutely amazing. I would definitely fall out and bang my head :0)
TA x
I’ve played with them before, and really like them.
And that note was priceless.
Okay, I’m sold. This is going on my wish list!
Morning Charlotte. I still don’t know about the suspension training. I love trying new workouts, but the pictures of y’all using the TRX made it look really complicated. Your positive feedback makes me really curious. I wonder if my Y even has one? I still want to do a kettlebell workout. I’m trying to talk my gym into doing a class. Glad you enjoyed your experiment this month!
Thanks for the great review, Charlotte!!
I’m seeing more personal trainers using this equipment with their clients all the time! Now, I’ll watch for results 🙂
Interesting!
This is the first time I’ve looked into it, because you used the magic words “setting up at home”.
I’m very much a home-gym person, but I live in an apartment and don’t have a lot of space. Anything that works without needing a lot of equipment or room is a bonus for me.
Thanks for the heads-up! Don’t know yet if the price will be enough to scare me away, but I am intrigued.
earning your own note is like a rite of passage. My gym has a man who sings very, very loudly – showtunes – while lifting weights and he got a sign. Consider yourself honored.
The workout seems so fun (tho I do sport size 10 flippers, so I may need a special “big foot” system)
happy belated T-Day – loved your gratitude post.
I havent seen any of these anywhere, but i do some of the same stuff on the cable machine- which limits you EVEN MORE on what you can do, so id love to give it a shot. anything where im struggling to not fall on my face distracts me enough from my workout that I wont get bored.
Kelly Turner
http://www.groundedfitness.com
I’d feel like I was in space doing exercises like that. If it wasn’t so pricey I would have ordered it already!
Funfunfun.
It sounds so fun and I’d love to try it! However, knowing myself, I think that I’d buy it and then not put it up at home, but then never get around to it at the gym, given all the other stuff I normally do.
Charlotte,
It’s nice to hear that this experiment worked so well for you. Did you stick to your 14hrs of gym time per week or did you amp your cardio back up?
That note and your revised version are priceless. I don’t spend enough time at the same gym to see management do things like that to people. Maybe, they just wanted you to give their trainer some tips…
Hmm I have to say I’m intrigued too.
One thing that always perplexes me about exercises that use your own bodyweight is how to gradually make them more challenging. Not that I actually progressively challenge myself, but I like the fantasy that I will one day get serious and build up more muscle. How do you do that without having weights that you can add on a bit at a time?
I must do some investigating though, ’cause this sounds like a nifty home gym system that could save a lot of $$ and space.
Hilarious note! You are definitely in an awesome class of your own earning your own warning sign. I’m just waiting to get yelled at for stretching on the treadmill after a long run. 🙂
I’m glad to hear suspension training went well, and can’t wait to see what you’re up to this month!
Your own sign! Hot damn, that’s awesome! You should have taken a picture (and left management the post-it, lol).
Crabby, it depends what the exercise is as to how you add intensity without equipment.
For instance, you can take away a contact point (plank to one foot plank, regular squat to one legged squat), you can add motion (plank to one toe taps out to the side, regular lunges to walking lunges), or you can add height (squat to squat jump, pushup to pushup and clap). Some muscles are really hard to do with just bodyweight (triceps – I HATE tricep pushups!).
Just before T-giving my hubby brought home the TRX. I have a feeling I’ll be using it post baby–during the purgatory period when I can’t take baby to gym. Sounds like I may get hooked!!
Hilarious Note! What is that about people lounging naked in the locker rooms? I thought that only happened at my old gym.
Tim Rosanelli
timrosanelli.blogspot.com
60situpschallenge.blogspot.com
A new product similar to TRX is G Flex which uses a pulley system so your able to do more exercises
TRX is a just a strap, wake up people. The service they provide is horrible. The exercises are horrible. "Body weight training on a hanged object" is good part of training. "Suspension training" is a term used by gymnasts for a long time, when it's refered to ring training.
"Fitness anywhere" or "Fitnessanywhere" is actually a small company that is trying to pretend to be big. It is ran by a Iranian named Omidam (Omid) A. Mantashi. His friend Randal Hetrick is registered as the president, but they really decided to do that, because "former Navy Seal" is a lot more marketable than a Persian Lawyer. So they registered Omid Mantashi as the registered agent and Randy Hetrick as the owner.
It's a rather small, unreliable company.
My friends aquentance worked for TRX for a while and he got all the scoop. So if you want something with good DVD's and good programs and good products, go get Jungle Gym XT or even Rip60.
TRX is not good as product, Fitness Anywhere is not good as a company and suspension training is a stolen name.
FYI:
Omid Mantashi is a citizen of the USA and an attorney licensed in California and Washington. He was valedictorian in political science at the U. of Washington; he did graduate work at Harvard; received an M.A. and wrote a Ph.D. dissertation at Berkeley (Cal); and was a good student and graduated from a “top ten” law school, NYU. Ergo, Jenny’s characterization of him as a “Persian Lawyer”/”Iranian” is fallacious and also sounds a bit like like Orientalism (look up Edward Said), e.g., racism. Also since Mr. Mantashi is also a trademark attorney, Jenny’s infelicitous phrase, “a stolen name,” might be libelous.
TRX is a just a strap, wake up people. The service they provide is horrible. The exercises are horrible. “Body weight training on a hanged object” is good part of training. “Suspension training” is a term used by gymnasts for a long time, when it’s refered to ring training.
“Fitness anywhere” or “Fitnessanywhere” is actually a small company that is trying to pretend to be big. It is ran by a Iranian named Omidam (Omid) A. Mantashi. His friend Randal Hetrick is registered as the president, but they really decided to do that, because “former Navy Seal” is a lot more marketable than a Persian Lawyer. So they registered Omid Mantashi as the registered agent and Randy Hetrick as the owner.
It’s a rather small, unreliable company.
My friends aquentance worked for TRX for a while and he got all the scoop. So if you want something with good DVD’s and good programs and good products, go get Jungle Gym XT or even Rip60.
TRX is not good as product, Fitness Anywhere is not good as a company and suspension training is a stolen name.