Happy Wednesday! This morning I woke up bright and early for my 11th personal training session.
During the course of these 10 personal training sessions I’ve mastered the routine. We start with five minutes of dynamic warm-up and stretching including butt kicks, lunges, deep squats, and high kicks. We complete 3 circuits, each including 3 exercises, 3 times before I get to enjoy the stretch session. Each session, there are at least 2 exercises which feel easier than the rest. Sometimes it’s a plank or a squat, but it’s never the lunges! Then, the rest of the exercises leave me sweating, shaking, or quivering depending on the day.
But, Lauren didn’t like how comfortable I had become with our sessions or the workouts. This morning, bright and early, Lauren decided it was time to switch things up.
Enter, the TRX training system. This simple yellow and black device is the devil in disguise.
It takes simple exercises and makes them so challenging that you’re quickly humbled and begging for mercy. I’ve watched people use the tool at Equinox with trainers and always thought it looked fun and not too bad. I’ve even read about Ali’s experience with the class at Crunch Fitness in NYC.
Today’s workout was more challenging than I ever imagined. In fact, after the first circuit I was sweating so much that I slid on the mat.
3x10ea 1 Leg Squat
3×10 Inverted Row
3x10ea Oblique Crunch on Hands
3x10ea Lateral Split Squat
3×10 Roll Out
3x30s ea Side Plank
3×10 Hamstring Curl
3×10 Atomic Push Up
3x45s Reverse Plank
The suspension training, or leveraged bodyweight exercise, uses your body weight to complete each exercise but changes your center of balance, therefore making the average exercise far harder. Completing 10 pushups was almost impossible with my legs elevated in the TRX straps! In addition, this lightweight tool can be carried anywhere since it’s only 2 pounds AND you can adjust the difficulty of exercises just by changing your body angle or position.
I highly recommend giving a TRX class a try or ask you gym if they have one you can use!
Question: Have you tried TRX? What is your favorite exercise to complete using it?
My old boss used to use TRX and she loved it! I’d love to try it sometime.
I love the TRX. I was introduced to it by a fabulous trainer the one time I ever had a personal training session and I was really surprised at how this small contraption could give me such a great workout. And it’s portable also! My favorite exercise is the pushup with your feet held off the ground by the TRX.
Yes, I’ve used TRX with my EQ trainer at times and it kicks my tail. He has me do pushups while leaning into the TRX. I feel like I’m going to fall on my face, but I never do. EQ trainers know what they’re doing. 😉
I used to take the Sunday morning TRX class at Crunch Kips Bay, and loved it. Definitely want to go back when I do a month at Crunch this fall! I need to investigate if my other gyms have it as an option to do on your own/with a workout buddy.
I’ve always wanted to try TRX – it seems like a fun challenge! Lately I’m really into Bodypump though!
i’ve only used it once-for these crazy swinging plank things…but it was HARD!
TRX is one of my favorite tools to use with clients…. I get to take them outdoors during the breezy spring, summer and fall months. I am soo glad you like it and hope you’re now addicted!! I certainly am! 🙂