TRX Systems

Depends on whether or not you're dead set on TRX brand. There are many different brands out there making comparable systems. I own two.

I had tried the Bob Harper Go Fit gravity straps for $40. Turns out the hand grips are hard rubber, which are not very comfortable at all. And the strap adjusters are at the top, which for me (I'm 4'9") is not good at all! I paid $160 for my TRX straps at Amazon. That seems to be the going price; but I think they are worth every penny. I have done better in a few months with the TRX than I have with any other program I have tried.

Hope this helps!

I own the Jungle Gym XT by Lifeline USA and the CrossCore 180. Both amazing pieces of equipment in their own right and because I own both I can tell you about the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each style (Single Anchor, like TRX, or Dual Anchor, like most of their competitors).

My personal opinion is that it depends on your current fitness level and goals as to which style would be better for you. The single anchor system used by TRX, CrossCore, and a few others on the market, adds an extra degree of instability that forces your core to engage heavily when doing even the most basic, beginner-friendly exercises, making core isolation work totally unnecessary. However, the dual anchor system used by the Jungle Gym XT allows for a wider variety of exercises and lets you advanced farther in your progressions.

So basically if you're a beginner and you're totally out of shape, I recommend the TRX-style single anchor system. But if you're already fit, and you're willing to spend a little extra time on your workout doing dedicated core isolation work, you can do a lot more and go a lot farther in your fitness goals with a dual anchor system, most of which are WAY cheaper than TRX.

DIY is Scary - I watched that video and heard things like "any carabiner will do, or even an S-hook". TRX themselves have had enough injuries to prompt a recall - their buckles were failing. They have replacement units now and I have mine on order.

If you build your own, use only the best hardware, preferably rated for human use (like a "real" carabiner, not the facsimilies). Better know how to tie a proper knot, and keep in mind the rating on the straps. In the video the gentleman mentioned selecting straps rated for your weight. This is wrong IMHO - select straps rated far higher than your weight. You aren't tying down luggage on a car, your putting your full body weight on this device - consider what would happen if it DID break, then use this as your guiding thought when selecting components.

I would recommend climbing rated components. I'm on a SAR team and am rope operations certified. While climbing stuff isn't necessarily cheap it's still far cheaper to put together your own strap rig than to buy TRX or one of the other major ones.