TRX?

it's another stupid fad (like cross fit) to avoid going to the gym and lifting real weights

i used the TRX when i was in afghanistan last year, but that is what it's designed for, when you are in places where a set of straps is all you have to work out with

i'm sure some will argue for the value of it's strength training vs other alternatives, i just think it's gay

I got one 5 weeks ago and really like it. Didn't know any good runners had them, I suspect they gave a few away, but I can see the point.

I am an aging master type with very limited time. I often cannot get to the gym as often as I would like, or have to travel. (Although I do lift properly when I can - heavy lifts, low reps, Olympic lifts..). TRX makes it really easy to get in a whole body workout anywhere. You tend toward circuits and strength-endurance - e.g. 20 reps of each exercise then move on- rather than heavy/low-rep stuff, as obviously you only have body weight to work with.

More importantly, it lets me do exercises which are much more specific to running than I can do in a gym.

- single leg squats (facing either way)

- single leg squat/jumps

- hamstring curls

- various hip flexor exercises (TRX atomic pushup

- a very wide, healthy variety of back exercises

The instructors at my gym have bought them too and are starting to work these exercises into some of the circuits for their pupils.

BTW I tried to start this thread a couple of weeks back and got flamed so let me say that I do NOT work for the vendors. I would say that if a runner is going to buy just one piece of exercise equipment, get this.

I am surprised the models shown using these straps aren't wearing helmets, just in case they unlock and slip. They look like straps used by moving companies...

Probably can buy some for about $5.00 at Harborfreight.

I used to be a climber and I know well made straps and slings when I see them. I can assure you it's solidly built.

To be fair, you can do way more home leg exercises than I ever realised with just a strap or two slung over a branch or top of a door. But the adjustable straps and handles/footrests are what make the TRX work so well.

TRX workouts are good for what they are. It's a workout you can do when you have no equipment...like the Afghanistan example. A major plus with TRX is that many of the exercises allow you to move 3 dimensionally. Meaning you are not fixed in one plane like most exercises. But the problem is in that motion as well as the exercises tend to be much more difficult.

It's "functional" training. So Runners like it, and athletes in general like it because it's supposedly "functional". I'm not too big on the term "functional training" because it can be and has been taken too far by the industry, but oh well...

Alan