TRX 101: how can suspension training provide you a full body workout

There’s a reason the TRX is one of the most sought-after exercise tools at the moment. It’s a functional fitness dream, with the potential to work out your body in hundreds of different ways.

It’s an entirely different concept to traditional gym routines, which often focus on exercising individual, isolated muscles. Learn how it works, and see how this new form of suspension training can give you a full-body workout with lasting effects.

TRX 101: What is TRX?

TRX stands for Total-Body Resistance Exercise. It’s a minimalist bit of kit – with a base primarily made up of heavy-duty adjustable straps – but it packs in plenty of power. This take-anywhere tool allows you to perform functional moves in three dimensions, which is an impossible feat with most other workout equipment.

TRX 101: What are the benefits of TRX?

TRX is a powerful piece of equipment. It saves time. It’s easy to use. It’s portable, so you can workout anywhere. Among these practical advantages, there is also an incredible amount of physical and health benefits:

• TRX makes you strong by allowing you to work against gravity. You’ll use muscles you might not even know you had and strengthen even the weakest parts of your body.
• Stability – one of your primary and most important body functions – will become so much better. Hello, beautiful posture.
• Regular workouts on a TRX can supercharge your metabolism and ignite your energy levels – you’ll find you’re breathing hard and your heart is pounding after even a short session.
• You’ll target key areas such as your core, arms, legs, glutes and back – TRX helps blitz and tone everywhere.
• Suspension training can provide you with a full-body workout without putting strain on your joints, thanks to its low-impact nature.
• Flexibility, balance and coordination also improve with regular use of this tried-and-tested resistance tool.

TRX 101: How do you use the TRX?

Pretty much any functional move you can do without a TRX can be made more challenging using it, meaning you can achieve a quality, intense workout without spending hours at the gym.

There’s no reason to feel intimidated about using a TRX machine. From squatting to lunging, all of the movements performed on this bit of kit are ones we replicate in day-to-day activities, anyway.

The best way to use the equipment is to mix up activities between strength training and cardio. Beginners needn’t feel daunted: resistance training equipment can be used by complete first-timers (just be sure to work with a trainer first, who will show you proper form and go through the best moves to start with).

You can tweak your workout to fit your goals, whether you want to target specific areas of the body or ramp up the intensity by increasing the resistance or adjusting your body. For example, this TRX workout is designed to improve your posture and back strength, with a combination of lateral jumps, hamstring curls, rotating push-ups and low pulls.

Are you tempted by TRX? Get in touch for free trial at an EVO gym, and we’ll design a customised training program to achieve your fitness goals.

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