Is TRX Good For Beginners?

Way back when I was a fitness newbie, I remember feeling in awe of (and a little intimidated by) all the exercise equipment scattered around the gym. With time, and the help of a personal trainer, I learned to use a lot of the machines, weights, and other accessories, and began to explore new equipment on my own. The exception was some black and yellow straps that hung from the pull-up bar, which I always ignored, assuming they were for stretching. It wasn’t until I switched to a new trainer that I learned the straps were a TRX system, and that they could provide a workout just as challenging as exercise machines and weights.

TRX stands for Total Resistance eXercise. It’s a suspension training system that was developed by Randy Hetrick, a Navy Seal. While on deployment in a remote location, Hetrick was looking for a convenient way to keep himself and his team in shape. Using just a jiu jitsu belt and a parachute strap, he put together a device that allowed his team to train their bodies during times when they didn’t have access to regular exercise equipment. His device caught on and now TRX can be found hanging in most gyms. But TRX is not just for Navy Seals; it can be a great way for beginners to start developing their fitness. Read on to learn more about suspension training and how TRX is beneficial for beginners.

What is suspension training and what does it do?

Suspension training involves performing bodyweight exercises with the assistance of straps that are anchored to a fixed point. The straps provide enough support so that you can use a combination of your body weight and gravity to create resistance. When you perform exercises on a suspension trainer, your body is constantly stabilizing itself, which results in the full engagement of your muscles. Suspension trainers like TRX are usually adjustable as well, which allows you to perform a variety of exercises that target different muscle groups.

Suspension training is specifically great for building functional strength, which is your ability to perform everyday activities like standing up from the floor, lifting heavy objects, or walking up and down the stairs. Functional strength training involves activating multiple joints and muscles at the same time and improves your ability to lift, push, pull, twist, squat, and lunge, all of which you can develop by exercising with TRX. Suspension trainers are also particularly good for developing core strength, and improving your balance, coordination, flexibility, and mobility.

Why is TRX good for beginners?

There are many reasons why working out with a TRX system can benefit you as a beginner. First of all, it is incredibly adjustable, making it a lot more accessible as an entry into fitness than something like weightlifting. Instead of trying to figure out how much weight you need to use, you can easily change the difficulty level of TRX by taking a step forwards or backwards, or adjusting the angle of your body. The straps are adjustable as well, making it comfortable for people of all shapes and sizes to use. TRX is also very low impact, helping beginners avoid injury and allowing them to work their muscles without straining their joints.

When you’re first starting on your fitness journey, it’s extremely important to build a strong core, which is the foundation of many exercise movements. TRX is great for developing core strength, since the muscles in that area are built up by the stability you need in your torso to perform exercises on the device. The portability of TRX is another reason why it’s great for beginners. You don’t need to go to a gym to use it since it can be easily set up at home or outside. All you need is a stable anchor point, like a doorway or tree.

Which TRX is best for beginners?

If you’re interested in doing suspension training at home, then you’re going to want to choose the right TRX to fit your needs. Here is a quick rundown of the different available models so that you can find the one that works best for you. All of the models come with the same basic accessories, but the main differences come down to durability and price.

The TRX Go is probably the best system for beginners, since it’s the most lightweight and affordable of the bunch. It comes with a basic mounting anchor and weighs less than a pound, making it super portable and easy to set up. The handles on the Go are made from foam, which isn’t as comfortable or durable as the other models. But if you’re a beginner, this probably isn’t going to be an issue since you probably won’t be using TRX as much as someone who’s more of a fitness fanatic.

Next up is the TRX All-in-One, which is very similar to the Go, but built a bit sturdier. It’s also about $40 more expensive, probably due to its increased durability. It includes all the same accessories as the Go, but its handles are made from rubber, which will hold up better than the foam handles on the Go. I wouldn't necessarily recommend the All-in-One for complete beginners, but it is a great upgrade if you find yourself using the Go quite often.

Finally, we have the TRX PRO, which is the most expensive and most durable of the models. Again, the accessories are the same as the other two, with the addition of padded foot cradles, extra suspension anchors, and an extension strap. The handles are rubber, similar to the All-in-One, but they include texture that will help you maintain your grip on them. I wouldn’t recommend investing in the PRO as a beginner since it’s so expensive. However, it’s the model that you’re going to find at most gyms if you’re interested in trying it out.

Can TRX get you ripped?

It is absolutely possible to build lean muscle from TRX workouts. Although TRX won’t give you huge muscles like weightlifting can, you can still improve your physique. Because TRX exercises activate multiple muscle groups at once, you’re going to burn a lot of calories and develop strength, both of which can lead to increased muscle definition. TRX also allows for progressive overload, or increased difficulty level, which is another key factor in building lean muscle. In addition, if you use TRX in HIIT-like circuits that elevate your heart rate, you’ll end up burning fat while maintaining muscle mass, which will help accentuate your muscle tone.

An important factor that most people miss when it comes to “getting ripped” is your diet, which goes hand-in-hand with resistance training. You can build your muscles up all you want, but if you want to actually see them, you need to focus on what goes in your mouth. Eating foods that are high in protein and rich in nutrients is a good start, but you also need to be in a calorie deficit if you want to burn the fat that is covering your muscles. Doing this along with consistent workouts on a TRX system will help you get that ripped look you’re going for.

What are the best TRX exercises for beginners?

If you’d like to try out TRX, but don’t know where to begin, I’m here to help! I’ve listed a few exercises below to get you started on your fitness journey with suspension training. These exercises cover the major areas of your upper and lower body, as well as your core. I’ve also included sets & reps so that you can use them as a full body workout.