Monday, 06 July 2009 08:47
Ok, ok, so I've been looking for a way to keep down fitness expenses. By that I mean getting rid of the gym monthly rate and keeping the climbing gym. There's no way I'd quit rock climbing. So after researching a bunch of systems I came across this one, the TRX suspension system. Its designed by a navy seal, compact and a lot like the cable machine at the gym. The system is extremely versatile, works core, strength, adjusts easily, transitioning between exercises and weight is often as quick as moving your feet. Only problem.... its a bit pricey at $175 for the TRX and a door anchor. Its basically some webbing, a cam buckle and a couple handles. There are other similar products out there like Blaststraps and the Jungle gym, but I figured I could make something similar on my own. I was right, but for under $20? Thats a tenth of the cost of some systems!
DIY suspension trainer shopping list $10 - (2) Cam buckle handle combo (link) *note: the website shows just a cambuckle and a sewn piece of webbing, what I received also has a nice plastic handle, I think they're in the process of updating their website.
An alternative is to go to home depot and buy a truck bed anchor or something similar and bolt it to a ceiling beam. It really depends on what you've got, the garage would be easy if you've got a beam. Indoor a little more complex but very doable. TRX sells this thing called an X -mount, which is an nice solution, but expensive (link). Another alternative is to simply use a carabiner... wrap it around a pullup bar or a tree outside and clip the loop to the main line.
As with any workout system... good exercises done with proper technique are really the most critical part of a workout.
To get you started, the TRX website has some great free videos up on their site. There are also good ones on YouTube and such.
