I wanted to start this because I, along with many others, became very intrigued by the TRX Suspension Training system. I live in the bay area and have read allot about the Fitness Anywhere concept and became hooked. What I didn't get hooked on was the price for the base trainer and the upgraded trainer at 149$ and 199$ respectively.
I applaud the entrepreneurial genius behind the marketing of this product and it IS a very well made product; functional, lightweight, use it anywhere, etc. It was just the cost that got me. I started reading around, looking at cheaper alternatives, (The Jungle Gym, USA (Ladder training), etc.). I even found videos and articles on people using webbing, rope and tie downs and that's when it hit me!
I thought, if they can do it, why not me? I went to OSH, took about 5 minutes of sizing up materials, bought what I needed, brought it home and had it installed within 10 minutes.
Here is the list of materials that I purchased (Total was about 40-41$, minus the cost of the screws):
- 20' recovery strap (tow strap) - 25$
- 16"soft ties (Package of four) - 7$
- Hitching ring 5/16"x2" - 2.50$
- 3/8"spring hook - 7$
- #14x3 1/2"Spax screws - 5$
Like I said, this took all of 10 minutes to put together. I used my carport area as it has some 4"x4" vertical beams at the outer edge of the overhang. I installed the hitching ring with the 4 screws (heavier duty the better, as it removes all doubts as to the strength of the hitch and ultimately the unit!) approx. 7 3/4' off of the ground. I then clipped the spring hook (3/8"is good as it supports 400# of weight) into the ring.
I then took one of the soft ties (they are good as they have a closed loop at both ends) doubling it over and slipping it onto the spring hook. I threaded the tow strap through this double loop so there was 10'of strap on both sides (this strap is approx. 2"wide and also has the convenience of having closed loops on either end as well...very sturdy!). To adjust length just take equal amounts of either end of the tow strap and loop it around the upper soft tie (just like taking up the slack). I then looped another soft tie through each loop of the tow strap for foot placement on leg and ab exercises.
Here are some pictures of the finished installation (I would've taken the pictures, but this Blog thing came to mind only after I put this together).
Hitching ring and spring hook...
The yellow is the tow strap which is threaded through the doubled over soft tie...
Here is the completed unit hanging lengthwise off the post...
Here are the last 2 soft ties, through the ends of the loops on the tow strap...
The usage is very similar to the other suspension trainers and is limited only to your imagination (There is a plethora of exercises). I usually train from exercise to exercise with minimal break time for 30 -40 minutes and then stop. I will literally go from rows, push ups, flys, pikes, crunches, atomic push-ups, reverse lunges, curls, etc., etc., etc.
I'm really not big into structured workouts (hence why I don't belong to a gym anymore, nor do I care for the atmosphere...personal opinion only!). I enjoy things that give me variety, keep me moving and lately I feel pain in areas I haven't felt for awhile (if ever!). On my off days i jump rope, do sets of push ups and pull-ups (big proponent on both of these exercises) and basically enjoy the fact that this type of fitness is useful and functional fitness.
Let me know if you're interested in seeing some pics of the exercises (honestly, you can google suspension training and get about 10 bazillion hits!) or any other ides. I'm 47 and feel great. I know some may disagree with my approach to fitness, but hey!...it works for me!
All for now and thanks if you've visited this Blog!
Mike Lane
