TRX

MrsLannister

I'm looking for something to use for strength training that won't take up a lot of space or cost a lot of money. I am wondering what experience people have with TRX and if it is a good option for someone who is not very fit (330 lbs)?

shepshape69

The most expensive model, the TRX suspension system has a weight limit of 350lbs. The cheaper alternative is the RIP 60 suspension trainer which has a weight limit of 300lbs. I picked one of these up on Ebay nearly new for £50 including postage. Both state that you can use them if you are heavier but it would void the warranty. They also come with training DVDs which all helps.

Personally I think they are great - as long as you have a ceiling joist to secure them too or perhaps a tree branch in the garden. They are designed to be secured to a door too if you want but many people feel that the angle this leaves you at limits the types of exercise you can do.

Hope that helps and good luck with the training. :happy:

MrsLannister

Thanks for the info. It looks like TRX has two door anchor options. One looks like a metal bar thing that screws into the door frame and the other is some kind of bean bag thing that you close the door on to. I'd probably go with the bean bag thing, since it wouldn't do damage.

concordancia

Start with bodyweight exercises using other things as leverage.

Mark Lauren (of You Are Your Own Gym fame) has a Body By You version for women that moves in smaller increments as you progress.

I started with this and have recently invested in a WOSS version of TRX - I bought pink. It was a fraction of the price of TRX, but it hasn't arrived yet and there isn't a weight limit listed on the website.

The bean baggie door anchor puts your weight on a different part of the door, so you might want to do more research before deciding on that.

BrianSharpe

I use my TRX regularly but I have it anchored to a joist, I have yet to use the door anchor.

I'll second the other suggestion to focus on bodyweight exercises for now, I'm a big fan of keeping things simple.

cmccarthy7

Quick thoughts on TRX for home use. I have been an avid fan of TRX for almost 2 years now. Taking classes at my local gym with a very good instructor. For this past Xmas my wife gave me one for home use. I use the door / bean bag attachment. I have it setup where the door closes towards you, so all the weight is on the frame of the door and not the hinges. (there are instructions on setting the bean bag on either side of the door, I just feel more comfortable knowing I am pulling on the frame, and it sets up better in my work out area also). I am 180 lbs, and have not had any issues with the straps slipping, or the door creaking etc.

One of the posters above mentioned a ceiling anchor. Ideally this is better, as it allows you to work directly under and sometimes through the TRX vs. the door method only ones one direction. That being said, you can do a significant number of different exercises using the door method. I don't feel "cheated" by only having it setup this way.

I would recommend if possible finding a knowledgeable trainer or class for the first few times though. It is pretty important to keep the correct spine alignment so that you are really working the muscles without putting to much strain on areas that can't take it. There are also quite a few videos that give you a good starting point, as well as some that are pretty high end strength driven.

I would highly recommend it, just make sure to take it slow in the beginning, keeping proper posture, and make sure to use your muscles over momentum. If you lose technique, stop the set and move onto another TRX exercise. Good Luck!!

concordancia

Well, my pink suspension straps are here!

Based on the previous poster's comments about closing the door towards you, I am currently using my straps in the hallway, which has the added bonus of doing some of the exercises in front of the bathroom mirror.

Today I did rows and hip raises as part of my normal routine. I am having trouble finding a good position for push ups, though. it seems like it should be easy, but I couldn't find the right spot. It did seem like one of those things that might be a bit easier to be directly under the anchor point.

Next time, I will be trying some form of split squats, as I was able to do a complete set of side lunges today. Since I am working in the hallway, I might go ahead and try bulgarian split squats with my foot in the TRX - I can steady myself on the walls, if needed.

After my normal routine, I tried out a few other things. just to play around (I really hope I didn't end up over doing it!) I did bicep curls and tricep extensions quite successfully, and evidently in a pretty good place, as I could only make it through 2 x 8.

And bwaahaaa, I tried mountain climbers. I am not sure I am ready for anything in that position!! I will stick to both feet and hands on the ground for awhile longer

But for the OP, these don't come with much documentation, and certainly no comments about weight limit.

cmccarthy7

Congrats!!

A few pointers based on my experience. True PUSH UPS - slip toes into the strap portion not the hand hold, turn onto stomach. Keep straps approx. 5-7" off the ground (approx. the length of your foot). Push yourself up into a plank position, and then start push ups from this position. If this is to much in the begining drop to your knees and do push ups from here, and work up to knees off the ground. This plank position is also a great workout for abs. Just pop up and hold. Be careful not to sag your rear end though - keep the straight line form.

You can also do a chest press - face away from anchor point, with arms straight and lower yourself down and push yourself back up to a standing position. Wide stance at first, and then work into feet together. The closer you move your feet to the anchor the tougher it is. (more of a angle)

With the hallway - split squat - double up the handles, so they won't slide apart (search youtube for how to do this - just makes the straps a little more secure). put one foot into the straps and face 90* away from the anchor point - should be facing the wall in the hallway. Keeping the leg in the strap straight, squat down on the single leg and repeat. Once you get comfortable with this, move on to bringing the suspended knee up towards your chest.

Single leg squats are also very good when facing away from anchor point - you can again move up to a single suspended leg burpee to really get the heart rate up.

Mountain Climbers - there are quite a few ab workouts with both feet suspended, that you will move up to. Keeping both feet suspended in the plank position described above as a starting point.
1. Double knees to chest. Just like a mountain climber but both legs coming to chest at the same time.
2. Double knees to elbows. Think about the leg action in the breast stroke in swimming.
3. Double knees to elbows - oblique exercise.
4. Jacks - think of the leg movement of a jumping jack, but going out to the side - might be a little tough in the hallway.
5. Pikes - advanced exercise - search for this one online.

LKArgh

Do you have any experience with TRX? If not, I would definitely suggest getting into a few classes before buying one. How effective it is completely depends on whether you do the exercises right or not, and it is very easy to think your posture is right, while in fact it is not.