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Three ways to try suspension training

Take your workouts to a new level using a TRX suspension trainer.

Suspension training uses your bodyweight to help develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability. If you’re not familiar with suspension training, it uses moves that you might do while water skiing, climbing a rope, doing push-ups or using an exercise band.

At the YMCA, you can try three different Small Group Training classes that use suspension training:

TRX Suspension Training

This fast and effective total-body workout helps you build a rock-solid core and increase muscular endurance. Class uses a Y-provided suspension trainer—a simple (and lightweight) piece of equipment that’s essentially straps that anchor above you, so that your body is in some form of suspension during exercises.

Kettlebell/TRX Fusion

This class combines suspension training with kettlebells. A kettlebell is weight that resembles a cannonball with a handle. In addition to what you can expect from TRX Suspension Training, this class uses kettlebells to combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training.

Extreme RTK

Get three times the fun in this class that includes a mix of suspension training, kettlebells and ropes. In addition to what you can expect from Kettlebell/TRX Fusion, this class uses heavy ropes (or battle ropes) to give your core and upper body and extra kick.

Why give suspension training a try?

Suspension training is a great way to get a stronger core and have fun doing it. Heather Dayton, director of Healthy Living at the New Hope Y says, “The core is challenged in every exercise—and the core is more than your abs, including pelvis, back and chest muscles, too.”

You’ll improve cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength. Heather notes that suspension training isn’t just about strength, “By changing the speed at which you perform the exercise, you can increase the workout for your heart and lungs.”

Who should try this class?

Everyone! Although TRX got its start in the Navy SEALs, it’s easy to modify the workout for all fitness levels—whether you’re a high-performance athlete or are just getting started with fitness.

Try a suspension class if you want to:

  • Improve balance and coordination
  • Increase muscle strength
  • Lose weight
  • Train for a marathon

Heather notes there’s a lot of scalability in suspension training, “Just by changing your body position slightly, the load can be increased or decreased on your muscles—meaning you control the intensity.”

Classes are low impact in nature, which means joints aren’t put under too much stress. Low-impact suspension training classes allow you to train as hard as you want with less risk of causing an injury or agitating a pre-existing injury.

Tips for getting started

If you’re interested, stop in at your local Y and ask a Personal Trainer about suspension training—we can help:

  • With a complimentary assessment to determine your readiness.
  • Suggest one-on-one training with suspension, if that’s a better fit for your goals.
  • Point you to beginner classes specific to TRX suspension training.
  • Share information about class packages.