I love to try new workouts, to get out of my rut, challenge myself and see what's "out there". So, with that in mind, I signed up for a TRX training class at my local YMCA. This is where I teach classes and my "boss" was leading the class, so I was excited. What, you may ask, is the TRX? It’s a tough form of an intense workout using parachute like straps as a suspension system. Don’t let this apparatus fool you. You will be feeling all those muscle you didn’t even know you had. TRX is another great tool to help you strengthen and take your fitness to another level. It’s a mobile gym you can take with you everywhere which is very effective, dynamic and absolutely a “no nonsense” workout. Using the straps, your body, gravity and ALWAYS your core, you perform chest flies, squats, jump squats, abdominal, oblique and other tortuous moves. It is definitely total body workout. As an instructor, I really wanted to learn correct form and not embarrass myself. Easier said than done. Not to mention the fact that my "boss instructor" was right there watching my every move, and left no room to skip a set or cheat. All I could hear was her voice saying, "do just one more!" Arrgghh I have to admit, it's been a couple of days since I did this workout and I am (embarrassingly!) still sore!
For many of the exercises, you are holding your body up with the straps as your body as angled toward the floor so that if you lose the grip with your hands, you will surely fall into a faceplant and a sure broken nose. Others may have you angled backward holding the straps for pull-ups or squats. An example of one of the abdominal exercises begins in a full push-up position with your feet elevated in the straps. From that position (which already has your core engaged) you pull your knees into your chest. While I found this exercise almost bearable, the next move was to throw in a push-up between each knee to chest crunch. After a couple of these you wonder why in the world you would actually Pay to do this. I have a very small competitive edge so I was adamant not to let this aparatus beat me. I continued with the awful elevated crunches and push-ups for what felt like an eternity (but was only 30 seconds I believe). I did manage to finish, but not before peeking at the other participants - some of whom had completely given up and were flopped face-down on their mats in surrender, right where I wanted to be! I left the class tired, sore but ready for more! I give it a THUMBS UP. I will definitely be back next week . . . if I can walk!
What workout kicks your booty?
For many of the exercises, you are holding your body up with the straps as your body as angled toward the floor so that if you lose the grip with your hands, you will surely fall into a faceplant and a sure broken nose. Others may have you angled backward holding the straps for pull-ups or squats. An example of one of the abdominal exercises begins in a full push-up position with your feet elevated in the straps. From that position (which already has your core engaged) you pull your knees into your chest. While I found this exercise almost bearable, the next move was to throw in a push-up between each knee to chest crunch. After a couple of these you wonder why in the world you would actually Pay to do this. I have a very small competitive edge so I was adamant not to let this aparatus beat me. I continued with the awful elevated crunches and push-ups for what felt like an eternity (but was only 30 seconds I believe). I did manage to finish, but not before peeking at the other participants - some of whom had completely given up and were flopped face-down on their mats in surrender, right where I wanted to be! I left the class tired, sore but ready for more! I give it a THUMBS UP. I will definitely be back next week . . . if I can walk!
What workout kicks your booty?
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