Functional Fitness - TRX Suspension Training

When it comes to functional fitness, nothing compares to the TRX Suspension Training System.

The TRX Suspension Trainer is the first performance training apparatus that facilitates an enormous range of body weight training movements for the entire body - training in 3-D is the ultimate in functional fitness. The TRX provides an edge over conventional training methods due to the implementation of multiple muscle groups all at once opposed to one (sometimes two) muscle groups. The TRX Suspension Trainer improves strength, core stability, flexibility, balance, biomechanics, and range of motion. The unique combination of body-weight-based training equipment and exercises is the first of its kind. It focuses on the body as a completely integrated structural system, which, until TRX, no other piece of equipment has done.

The TRX has an interesting history on how it came to be. Needing a way to stay in peak condition, TRX Suspension Training's Founder, Randy Hetrick, and his Navy SEAL teammates created TRX while out in the field on missions. They stitched together webbing from parachutes to create the first version of the TRX harness and later worked on developing it to where and what it is today - a complete functional fitness system that can be used anywhere.

The TRX is not a big clunky piece of equipment – it is simple, yet high-yielding, 12’ of industrial-grade nylon webbing. The TRX is thread through an “O” hook in the ceiling, a door mount, or wraps around an anchor point. Skydivers, rock climbers, mountaineers, parasailing fans, and even those who practice yoga have used webbing. It’s the thick strapping used in all of those activities that helps suspend the weight of the person. With TRX, the webbing is used for the same reason – it suspends a person's hands or feet in the air while the other end of the body is on the ground. There are approximately 300 exercises and combinations of movements that can be done on the TRX. It is light, compact, and easy to travel with. It can be mounted to a door in your home, office, or hotel room so you can take it anywhere and still be able to get an amazing, total-body workout.

TRX is becoming the system of choice for elite units in the Armed Forces, NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, as well as for high performance athletes and top celebrity trainers. It is also growing in popularity in the healthcare setting with physical therapists, wellness centers, sports medicine clinics, chiropractors, gyms, and senior wellness programs.

Being an advocate of functional training, I went through the eight hour TRX Suspension Training course last month to get my certificate and start teaching the program. The course was fantastic and the workout exceptional. I started teaching Group TRX, the small group training version of the program, as well as using the TRX with my clients when personal training. Whether you want to improve your strength, flexibility, golf game, cardiovascular health, balance, running time, or even mental clarity – The TRX can help. It's revolutionary.

Please check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program, especially if you have not exercised in a while. The TRX can be used by almost anybody; however it is important that you have someone who knows the apparatus teach you how to use it and how to use your body with it.