Posts Tagged with: "TRX"

For my many friends who have been pining over TRX Suspension Training, go visit Chris Sports from Dec. 3, 2009 to Jan. 3, 2010 to get a whopping 20% off.

Remember I told you about my new toy, the TRX Suspension Trainer? It’s been giving me such a great strength training workout the past weeks that I’ve skipped the gym hoping that my personal trainer thinks I’m still in Oregon.  (Wait until he reads this)  

A couple of days ago, a friend sent me this great link on using TRX to develop flexibility for runners.  Click here.  A-m-a-z-i-n-g.  It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time as my Polar RS800 is now giving me info on stride length and cadence (yes, I know that I’m below the ideal 90 rpm based on my Hood to Coast data).  At least now I know how to use all this newfound info to improve my performance!  Now, if only I could find more time to train…

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For fitness professionals out there who are interested in learning how to use the TRX for yourself and your clients:

TRX Suspension Training Course (STC) Level 1

Get the basics of using your TRX Suspension Trainer for yourself and your clients. This expert-led course gives you the essential information and hands-on training you need.

Date: September 12, 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Venue: Pinnacle Health Pointe (aerobic studio)
Address: #36 Triple A Health Plaza Building, Scout Torillo, Quezon City (near Timog)
Telephone: Pinnacle tel. 920-1565 / 413-4791 (pls call for directions only. other inquiries regarding STC course should be coursed through Chris Sports office) Chris Sports 4128768/ 9247964. look for joan.

Price: P6500.- / P6,000 (with purchase of TRX from Chris Sports. proof of purchase is required)

Reservation: Required. Limited slot to 10 participants.

Payment: Full payment is required upon reservation. We apologize but we cannot accommodate reservation until fully paid to give way for confirmed participants. Pls. deposit at BDO account name: Engelbert Tang Account no. 1150042166 . Pls fax deposit slip with your name at 9247964.

Instructor: Gilbert Tang/ Jim Saret, U.S. Certified TRX Instructor

COURSE DETAILS

• Learn to maximize the benefits of the system and how to perform all exercises safely and correctly. This eight-hour, hands-on course explains and demonstrates set-up in a wide variety of locations, and teaches comprehensive use of the TRX Suspension Trainer so it’s an efficient, effective, and stimulating exercise tool for you and your clients of all levels. It’s the edge top fitness pros need. After completing the STC you will be able to:
• Properly set up and use the TRX Suspension Trainer in a variety of locations and for a wide variety of exercises.
• Use the TRX as an efficient and effective exercise tool regardless of your fitness level or performance training goals.
• Safely and effectively train different client populations with optimal results.
• Understand why Suspension Training is a unique and valuable training method for sports performance and general fitness.

PRODUCT DISCOUNTS: All attendees can buy a TRX at the STC for a special price of P6950.- PLUS, all TRX training programs will be available for a 20% discount the day of the course. We encourage you to inform us early if you are purchasing to make sure we have the stock on hand at the course venue.

COURSE MATERIALS: You will receive a Suspension Trainer Course (STC) Manual the day of the course. It is not required that you review this information prior to the course.

How important is strength training? The debate goes on whether runners need to sweat it out with weights in order to improve their performance in running.

Personally, I’m a big believer in strength training. I workout at the gym thrice a week with machines and free weights. My personal trainer also included stability and core exercises in my program (which I always whine about yet never manage to escape!) All of these exercises have one goal in mind: to make me a stronger, injury-free runner. The result? Full recovery from a six-month battle with various leg injuries.

There’s just one huge problem: TIME! For the past month, I’m lucky if I get to step inside a gym once a week. Finding two full hours for gym time in my schedule nowadays is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Solution: TRX Suspension Trainer. I got the TRX two weeks ago at Chris Sports. It’s a couple of nylon straps that can be suspended from the ceiling or a door, which allows you to perform various exercises using your own body weight or gravity. It promises to give you a good complete body workout in less than 30 minutes.

– TRX Suspension Trainer –

– TRX Door & Anchor –

– TRX All Body Express Workout Guide –

Initially, when I heard about it, it sounded like those disposable exercise machines they sell at Home TV channels. When I saw the product, it didn’t really impress me. I wondered how these straps, which looked slightly thicker than my luggage’s shoulder straps, could give me a good workout. But, I had heard a lot of good things about it—that triathletes in the U.S. currently use it to train and that Men’s Health recognized it as the “Best New Fitness Gear.” So, I took it home with me and gave it a try. With one 30 minute workout, I was floored—literally and figuratively. I worked out in my own bedroom floor and, after following the video that came with the product, I was completely exhausted and drenched in sweat. I was sold.

– Screenshot of TRX Website –

Funny thing is, I’m not the only one sold on the TRX. When I told my personal trainer about it, he yelled out in jealousy “You have the TRX? I want one too!” Word is, it is slowly finding it’s way to local gyms (I heard Fitness First may have classes using TRX.) A week after, I saw it suspended from my gym’s ceiling and I watched a man panting, his sweat dripping down to the ground, as he did his exercises. I told my PT “I’m getting tired just watching him!” but, ironically, I wanted to go home and use mine.

With the TRX at home, my PT reduced my gym visits and allowed me to use TRX once or twice a week. In time, I hope to learn more running-specific exercises to cut my gym visits altogether and leave me more time to run or cross train.

Overall, I highly recommend the TRX Suspension Trainer. Here are some pros and cons I took note of:

[PROS]

– Great full body workout. The program includes 4 lower body, 5 upper body, and 3 core exercises for a complete body workout. It’s not one of those namby-pamby workouts, this one really leaves you feeling spent.

– Quick. All I needed was 30 minutes to sweat as if I had ran a 10k. Unbelievable.

– Versatile. A beginner can choose to follow the program provided, but if you wish to progress, you can learn new exercises from its website or purchase sport-specific videos.

– Clear directions. The product comes with a video and illustrated workout guide which guides you from set up to workout. I use the video at home. But, I can see myself or my husband bringing this along for a trip using the portable guide.

– Time-based. I’m used to counting reps at the gym, but the training here is based on time. You are allowed to go at your own pace as long as you do an exercise for the specified time.

– Fits in a bag. The entire product fits neatly into a small bag (included in the box). So portable!

– Durable. The straps are strong and durable. You won’t worry about dropping to the floor even as you hang suspended upside down from it.

[CONS]

– No running-specific workout program. I was hoping they offered a DVD for runners, but there were only DVDs for golf, tennis, and team sports. I’m concerned that some of the basic exercises in the DVD may not be advisable for runners.

– No trainer to check your form. While the DVD gives clear directions, you still run the risk of performing an exercise the wrong way without proper guidance from a trainer. One must practice caution and make sure that the exercises may not aggravate an existing running injury or lead to one.

– Requires self-motivation. You don’t have a personal trainer at home to push you to workout. The TRX requires discipline and motivation to get you to pull it out of the bag, turn on the DVD, and get started. Ooh baby, that can be a struggle on lazy days.

– Pricey: P7,949 for TRX Suspension Trainer and P1,329 for TRX Door and Anchor (optional). But, if you think of it, for an initial investment of roughly 3 to 4-month’s worth of gym fees, you get a lifetime workout-in-a-bag.