Although TRX is a simple form of exercise, poor form and technique should be avoided to maximize all the benefits of TRX. This is what we refer to as the 6 sins of TRX.
Now you won’t go to hell if you do any of the 6 TRX sins, thank goodness! But practicing these bad habits can result in practicing poor form, achieving less than expected results and possible injury.
What is TRX?
TRX stands for Total Body Resistance Exercise and is a workout method that uses your body weight and gravity as resistance to build strength, balance, coordination, flexibility, core and joint stability. This exercise provides a hardcore, full-body, effective and impactful workout with a single piece of equipment.
What are the benefits of TRX?
TRX has several benefits that have been critical to my fitness journey. Here are a few benefits of TRX and how it can help you achieve your fitness goals.
You only have one piece of equipment, the TRX strap
Your workout can be as challenging as you want
Exercises can be modified to increase or decrease resistance
You anchor the TRX strap to work out almost anywhere
People of all fitness levels can do TRX
What are the 6 sins of TRX?
1. Starting Incorrectly
When you start each exercise in TRX, you need to make sure you have your straps adjusted correctly (short length, mid-length, full length, etc.), you are positioned correctly (standing facing the anchor, standing facing away from the anchor, etc.) and you are in the correct starting position. If you don’t start right, you won’t end upright.
2. Stopping
Once you’ve started your TRX exercise, you should never stop in the middle of the movement. Continue the exercise until it’s complete. If the exercise is too difficult, you can easily adjust the position of your feet, the angle of your body to make the exercise easier.
3. Slacking
During each exercise, you need to make sure that you maintain the tension in the straps through the entire movement. When you slack the TRX straps slack you may work different muscles than the target muscle group of the exercise.
Some example exercises that you should be sure to avoid slacking are TRX Shoulder Fly (Y, T or I), TRX Overhead Back Extension, and TRX Row.
4. Scraping
If you find your straps are rubbing against your arms during the TRX Chest Press, you are scraping, and you aren’t working your pectoral muscle group to its maximum potential. Be sure that your hands are high enough for you to avoid scraping but low enough to target your chest.
5. Sawing
If you are sawing your TRX, the TRX straps move up and down through the equalizer loop, don’t feel bad. Sawing is very common for beginners. But this is definitely a no, no. To avoid sawing you need to apply an equal amount of pressure in each TRX handle or foot cradle.
Some example exercises that you should be sure to avoid sawing are TRX Alternate Leg Curls and TRX Mountain Climbers.
6. Sagging
Sagging is when your hips sag, dip, or are out of alignment with the rest of your body. This often happens during the TRX Row or TRX Plank. It’s important to maintain alignment with your entire body during these exercises so that your core is completely engaged, and you can target the correct muscle groups.
There’s no question that TRX is a great way to exercise and achieve your fitness goals. Be sure to optimize your TRX experience practicing correct form and technique.
Purchase a TRX Suspension Trainer and other TRX merchandise to get started on your TRX program. Use discount code TRX20CYNMOB to get 20% off your purchase.
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