Suspension training, often done on a TRX, has been around for quite a while but really gained popularity in about 2005. It was developed with the specific goal of providing a wide range of training loads and movements in a small amount of space and with a minimal amount of equipment. Many fitness fads and gadgets have come and gone, but suspension-based training seems to be here to stay.
One of things I love about using suspension training is the ability to adapt workloads for nearly any level of athlete. I use suspension work with every client I see ranging from a 16-year-old to a 93-year-old and including Ultra marathon runners and individuals with Parkinson’s Disease.
The ability to move the body through space in all three planes (frontal – side to side / sagittal – front to back / transverse – rotational), to load joints and muscles for strength or to stretch and to infinitely modify the same movement pattern to fit a huge range of abilities keeps suspension training as a large part of my personal training playbook.
We have many options for suspension training at the studio, on beam mounts, the large Torque rig, or TRX S-frame on the turf.
It is also pretty easy and inexpensive to replicate the concept at home and add a ton a variety to home-based workouts. I use an “eye” bolt to anchor in a wall stud (preferable to have a through bolt with a nut on the other end, but possible to screw directly into stud) and a series of climbing slings and carabineers to create my own suspension system at about half the cost of retail options. I have sent several clients the buying list and either they or a contractor have installed the system in basement, garage or other workout space in their house.
Suspension training creates fun, full body workouts. All of our personal trainers implement suspension training in their client sessions.
