TRX is a fitness product and stands for ‘Total Resistance eXercise’. This is one of the most popular pieces of equipment for what is known as ‘suspension’ training – a form of bodyweight exercise that utilises straps to be attached to a pull up bar or wall mount.
TRX comes from entrepreneur Randy Hetrick, a former Navy Seal and MBA graduate. He brought the product to market in 2005 and since then it has gained in popularity and is now found in many gyms around the world. You can also buy the equipment for yourself at home, but is it worth the expense?
TRX – The Concept
The concept behind TRX is a very good one, essentially providing you with the tools you need for a range of bodyweight exercises that otherwise wouldn’t be possible. Most people when using the TRX system at home will probably use it by attaching it to a pull up bar. This then gives them two handles hanging from the bar that they can use to perform pull ups with their feet on the ground, bodyweight rows, press ups with their hands above the ground etc. This is essentially a cheap alternative to a dipping station with the added bonus of requiring you to balance yourself thus engaging the fast twitch muscle fibres. Additionally it creates many more opportunities for exercises that involve leaning backwards and taking your weight in different positions.
TRX – The Problem
But all those positives aside there is still one major problem with TRX: the price. On Amazon the ‘TRX Suspension Trainer Basic Kit’ costs a whopping $199. That’s a lot of money to pay for what is essentially just a piece of fancy rope and some gloves. The package does also include a few extras – such as a 65 minute DVD, a workout guide, a door anchor and a storage bag… but to be honest none of that makes it worth even a fraction of the price.
Again this isn’t to say that TRX won’t work. In terms of the good it can do for your body it’s worth it, it’s just not worth in terms of what you physically get for your money. And the point is that you can actually buy very similar straps for about $30.
So what are you paying for if not the straps? If it’s the DVD then there are plenty of tutorial workouts (much longer than 65 minutes worth) available for free on YouTube.
So overall TRX is a great concept and worth looking into. Just don’t be won over by the official product itself because it’s not really worth the asking price.