TRX suspension training has the tagline “All Core, All the Time.”this is why the suspension trainer can give you the ultimate core workout!
Suspension trainers are one of my favorite tools to use with clients, I’m a huge fan! The TRX suspension trainer was created and designed by a US Navy Seal and allows you to have an amazing workout anywhere! It is a lightweight adjustable set of straps and handles that uses your body weight and gravity as resistance. They are incredibly strong and durable and can be anchored almost anywhere. They come with a door anchor and a longer suspension anchor strap. This longer strap allows you to anchor to many things including a post, monkey bars or my favorite, a tree! I always suggest my clients buy the TRX Home2 Suspension Trainer. It comes with everything you need in a compact mesh bag, that is so great for traveling or taking your workout to another location.
The TRX Suspension Trainer is highly effective at engaging your core, especially the abdominals, in nearly every exercise. Because the straps create instability, your body must constantly work to stay balanced and controlled. This forces your core muscles to activate not just during specific moves, but throughout the entire workout. Even when you are targeting other muscle groups like the back, for example.
The TRX requires you to stabilize your body on the straps, which naturally activates your core muscles. Our core muscles are made up of the back and abdominals which help protect our spine and keep our body stable and balanced.
So while using the TRX, whether you’re doing planks, push-ups, rows or squats, the core is always working to stabilize your body. A bonus with the TRX suspension trainer is that you are getting the benefit of core training while working your other muscle groups.
Another consideration is that studies have found that the TRX Suspension Trainers are better than crunches for core training.
You can also use the TRX for a variety of core exercises, including those that isolate specific abdominal muscles including the obliques, and deep stabilizers like the transverse abdominis. The transverse abdominis is the deepest of all the core muscles and is considered one of the most important muscles to prevent back pain.
Getting down and doing crunches and other ab exercises have long been a go-to for core workouts, but they’re far from the most effective option. If you want real functional core strength, while strengthening other parts of your body it’s time to upgrade to suspension training.
Here’s are some good reasons why:
1. Total Core Activation
Crunches mainly hit the abs, but suspension training engages your entire core: abs, obliques, lower back and glutes by demanding full-body control and stability.
2. Constant Core Activation
Unlike traditional core exercises, nearly every TRX movement demands core activation. Because you’re working in an unstable environment, your core muscles — including the rectus abdominis, obliques, and deeper stabilizers like the transverse abdominis — are constantly firing to maintain balance.
3. Builds Functional Strength
The core’s real job is to stabilize, not just flex. Exercises like suspended planks or pikes teach your body to resist movement, building strength that translates to real-life tasks and athletic performance . TRX suspension exercises like mountain climbers, pikes, or fallout planks challenge your core in ways that mimic real-world movements as well, improving functional strength!
3. More Muscle Engagement Through Instability
Suspension training adds instability, forcing your core to work harder. This leads to greater muscle activation than traditional floor exercises like crunches. Other exercises like the TRX push-up for example force the body to work harder to maintain balance leading to more muscle activation and overall strength gains.
4. Low-Impact, High Return
TRX exercises are low-impact, making them joint-friendly. This is especially important for clients recovering from injury or those who need effective, safe core training without added stress on the spine. I use mine with my seniors and my most fit!
4. Safer for Your Spine and Neck
One of the biggest drawbacks of crunches is their tendency to place strain on the neck and lower back—especially when done with poor form. Suspension training keeps the spine in a neutral position, reducing risk of injury while improving posture and alignment.
5. Versatile and Scalable
Suspension training offers dozens of scalable core exercises for every fitness level as well as many for every body part! Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced athlete, TRX can meet you where you are. You can easily adjust the difficulty of an exercise by changing your angle or foot placement, making it a safe and progressive tool for core development. So many options to expand!
6. Portable
One of the best features of TRX is its portability. Whether you’re at the gym, at home, or traveling, you can get a full-body and core-focused workout with just one piece of equipment. I love that I can train a client in his hotel room when he’s away! Or take my clients outside at a park or in their yard. Light and easily packed!
7. Great Addition To Home Workouts
The amount of new exercises you can add to your home-workout just by adding a TRX suspension trainer is incredible. I love the variety of exercises my clients have with a set of dumbbells, body-weight exercises and a TRX suspension trainer. We never run out of options! The variety and combinations we use keep it fun. We never get bored! No way!
8. Anyone Can Benefit
TRX workouts are for everyone no matter what your fitness level is. Whether you an athlete or a beginner or recovering from an injury TRX can be a great tool.
9. You Have Limited Space
Do you have a small apartment or very small space to workout? It’s all good! I have many clients that turn a living area or small bedroom into their workout room. Adding a TRX is easy in your small space and will give you so many new exercise options to add to your workouts.
10. You Want A Total Body Work-out
One of my personal favorite reasons to get a TRX is for circuit training. It is so efficient! I can give my clients a total body, intense session with just one piece of equipment. All you need is a stable door and space enough to use it. A 20-30 minute TRX circuit, focusing on every muscle group, can be a sweaty tough session that will blow you away!
Bottom Line:
If you’re serious about building a strong, functional core, ditch the crunches. Suspension trainers deliver better results, safer mechanics, and more versatility.
With the TRX, every move becomes a core exercise, helping you build strength, improve posture, and enhance overall stability. If you want overall strength and a huge variety of exercises, add in the TRX suspension trainer. It’s a huge bang for your buck!
Elissa XOXO
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