For the Ask The Fitness Dude site, the Month of April is all about TRX.  I wanted to write an in-depth article about a few things revolving around the TRX Trainer…What is TRX Suspension Training?  Who should use Suspension Training? And How to use your TRX Trainer.  There has been a lot of people interested in this workout tool, so I thought it might be appropriate to give this topic some attention.

What is TRX Suspension Training?

For those of you who know very little about suspension training, let me go ahead and give you the basics.  Suspension Training usually involves nylon straps with handles and foot straps, the top of the trainer attaches to a high anchor point.  For example, a door, tree, fence, or a pole.  Once the suspension trainer is attached to a high point, you can then adjust the length of your trainer depending on what type of workout you want to do.

TRX Suspension Training is a body-weight workout, which means that the resistance you feel is from the weight of your own body, plus gravity.  Normal body-weight workouts include push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, and squats, but when done on a suspension trainer those normal workouts can become for difficult, but also provide your body with excellent muscle definition.

So what is “TRX” Suspension Training?  There are a few different types of suspension trainers out there, but only TRX delivers product that is extremely safe to use and very user-friendly.  They have tested and redesigned their trainers, so that the user can have complete confidence  in the durability of TRX Trainer.  TRX Suspension Trainers can hold up to 2000 lbs., and that should be enough to hold your weight, you just want to make sure that you attach your TRX to solid anchor.

Who Should Use Suspension Training?

If you are wondering if TRX Suspension Training is for you? Then I would say, “Yes!”  There are some people out there who say that you can easily injure yourself on the TRX, but that goes for any workout tools.  People injure themselves all the time while lifting weights, because they are doing it improperly.  Look, I have seen 350 pound people using the TRX Suspension Trainer, now can they perform all of the 300 plus workouts that the TRX offers? No, but they are still able to use it and build lean muscle mass to help burn that fat.

I would say that the TRX is for anyone, just know your limitations and know which workouts to start with, because there are some more advanced workout that you might have to work your way too.

TRX Suspension Training is also great for personal trainers and athletes.  In fact, there are plenty of world renowned personal trainers who swear by this product, and the same goes for professional athletes.   Mix Martial Arts (MMA), has gladly adopted this workout tool into their world, but there are also other sports that use it as well.  NFL players, Baseball Players, Basketball players, and even Soccer Players use suspension training.  In fact, the whole US Women’s soccer team works out with this tool regularly.

So whether you are a pro-athlete or an average joe, TRX Suspension Training is definitely for you.

How To Use TRX Suspension Training?

Suspension Training should be used as another addition in your workout repertoire.  Just like you should not just to weight lifting or just to cardio, you should not just do all Suspension Training.  If you are going to focus most of your workouts around the TRX then make sure to add some kettlebell or dumbbell workouts, and some cardio.  Interval training would compliment the TRX very well, as would some resistance bands.

Before performing an exercise, make sure you have read all of the safety instructions.  Then when you are ready, make sure that you adjust the TRX Straps to the right length.  Whether you are doing an upper-body workout or a lower-body workout, make sure that you keep your core engaged through the whole exercise.  If your back starts to dip, or if you cannot hold a plank position, then you might want to adjust the strap, so that you can perform the workout at a different intensity.  The steeper the angle, the harder the workout.

Most of all have fun, TRX Suspension Training can be an exciting way for you to workout.