One bar and two straps equal a solid workout
It would be hard to believe that two straps that hang from a bar would create the newest craze in fitness. But, people who try the new workout routine, known as TRX, are sold right away.
Niki Still, group fitness coordinator for MRU, says, “TRX suspension training straps allow you to engage your core muscles throughout every exercise.
“TRX is great because every fitness level can use TRX as you can change the intensity of the workout.
“It also allows you to do strength or cardiovascular work as well as high metabolic training.”
“TRX suspension training straps allow you to engage your core muscles throughout every exercise. TRX is great because every fitness level can use TRX as you can change the intensity of the workout. It also allows you to do strength or cardiovascular work as well as high metabolic training.” -Niki Still, group fitness coordinator for MRU
Still adds, this all-in-one workout is becoming increasingly popular throughout Calgary – booming over the past two years. Fitness centres incorporate TRX workouts in a variety of fitness classes.
The TRX – Total body Resistance Exercise – was originally developed by the U.S. Navy SEALS. The original TRX was made out of a training harness and parachute webbing. The TRX has now been commercialized as straps and handles that allow people to buy and use the TRX anywhere – in homes, gyms, outside and even on vacation – as they are travel friendly.Personal trainer, Jennifer Pushor demonstrating leg lunge on TRX.
Photo by: Corrine Sato
Jennifer Pushor, a personal trainer, says, “I teach TRX classes two or three times a week. I also incorporate TRX into boot camps, high intensity interval training classes as well as circuit intervals.”
Still adds that MRU, “offers group classes such as the TRX basic class, TRX level 2 – for more advance moves – as well as TRX boot camps – mixing TRX with free weights and cardio.”
Lydia Dickenson, a student at MRU, has used TRX and says, “after using the system, I’m sore for days. It definitely works.”
Group classes also allow people to try TRX in a different setting. Dickenson says, “I bought the TRX a couple years ago and used it at home. I found that I didn’t have the motivation to follow the workouts and use the DVDs.”
She decided to register for a TRX group class for motivational reasons.
|
TRX classes can be found at a variety of gyms including:
TRX can be purchased online at: or Fitterfirst – http://www.fitter1.com/ |
“With an instructor and other students kind of pushing me along, I may actually follow through even though it is a very hard work out,” she says.
Dickenson is fortunate to have registered early for the class, as the TRX classes are completely full at MRU.
“TRX is pretty popular as we keep bringing in more and more classes. We always have people returning in the fall, and of course new people are always trying to get it in,” Still says.
Dickenson realized another advantage after taking a group class – a personal trainer can modify the exercises to meet her needs.
Despite being sore for days after her first TRX workout, she plans to be back next week to accomplish her goals – “to be toned, fit and healthy.”
csato@cjournal.ca