You’ve seen them in every gym you’ve ever been to, and probably a few garages, too. Those yellow and black straps that hang from the ceiling, with the handles on the end. Those straps are called Total Resistance eXercise suspension trainers, or just TRX straps for short, and they are extremely versatile pieces of equipment. They leverage your body weight against gravity for a wide array of exercises, targeting various muscle groups. The straps are adjustable, allowing for modifications in resistance and difficulty, making it suitable for individuals of all fitness levels, from beginners to elite athletes.

TRX straps were created by former Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick in the late 1990s. It was initially developed as a portable exercise solution for soldiers deployed in remote locations, but its efficacy and versatility quickly caught the attention of fitness enthusiasts worldwide.

This versatility is what makes TRX wildly popular in home gyms and fitness classes alike. With a set of straps, users can perform hundreds of exercises targeting different muscle groups and movement patterns. From classic moves like push-ups, rows, and squats to more advanced exercises such as mountain climbers, hamstring curls, and pike presses, the possibilities are virtually endless. TRX straps also allow for seamless transitions between exercises, a key weakness of traditional dumbbells and barbells, especially if you don’t have much time in the day for a workout. This facilitates many high-level exercise techniques, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and circuit workouts that deliver maximum results in minimal time.

With the supervision of a trainer, the possibilities for this equipment only grow. Another set of eyes can help you properly execute functional movement patterns and ensure the activation of stabilizing muscles. By engaging these stabilizer muscles to maintain balance and control throughout each movement, TRX fosters better joint stability and reduces the risk of injury—a crucial aspect for long-term health and performance. By adjusting the angle, length, and body position, a trainer can fine-tune the intensity of each exercise to match fitness goals and capabilities.

The JCC has several sets of TRX straps for members to use in the main gym areas. We also offer a TRX Circuit small group class, focused on using the suspension trainers to train the full body, led by Professional Trainer Tal Gordon. The class starts on Monday, April 8th at 9:15 AM in the strength studio on the first floor, and will run on Mondays and Wednesdays for 8 weeks. If you are more accustomed to Pilates, we have a TRX Pilates class taught by Professional Trainer Jen Bergman, held every Wednesday at 8:15 a.m., also in the strength studio. These classes are open for registration on MindBody, with limited space, so sign up now!