Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/51669
live on the move The Hang of It Swinging into shape with TRX By Meagan Parrish My face is hovering just above the fl oor. With my feet extended behind me, sus- pended in midair by a sort of harness, I'm in a precarious situation. I want to look back and make sure it's holding steady, but I'm cautious—the slightest shift in weight could tip my delicate balance and then it's pucker up fl oor, I'm giving you a kiss. I had come to take a class in total Where to body resistance exercise, known by the shorter and, frankly, tougher sounding acronym, TRX. Part suspension training, part leveraged bodyweight ex- ercising and, as I discovered, part aerial dancing, there's a whole lot more to this workout system than just hanging around. Gliding into class at Harbor Athletic Club go: Offered at many major gyms and fi tness centers, there is no shortage of TRX options around town, including classes that mix in cardio or boot camp elements for a hybrid class. Ask your local gym or trainer about options they offer. and spotting my fellow participants taking their places alongside separate sets of sus- pension bands mounted to a stand in the middle of the room, I noted the diversity of my classmates. Developed by a former Navy Seal, TRX has garnered an image of being a workout for the hardcore. But as the cheerful woman next to me explained, what's kept her coming back is how the ex- ercises can be tailored for any fi tness level. With straps that are adjustable in every which way, you can modify each move- ment to fi nd a variation that suits you. And though most of the movements we tried would be familiar territory for regu- lar exercisers—from push-ups and squats, to pull-ups and good ole planks—the sus- pension straps served to work each muscle more deeply. To my surprise, gliding through the exercises not only provided an energiz- ing workout, it was actually pretty fun. We hung our bodies low to pull ourselves high, held ourselves suspended at gravity- The Dish on TRX Why it's hot: Not only an effective and easy-to-learn workout, TRX is completely portable! After you've learned the movements safely, you can purchase your own straps and have an easy exercise aid on the road. 18 BRAVA Magazine What to expect: A strength-building experience from head to toe. If your muscles don't ache right after the fi rst time, just wait—it creeps up on you the next day. Who will love it: Whether you're looking to build a hard-body or just tone, there's plenty to gain from the variety of movements that work your muscles in new ways. Who should skip it: According to my friendly instructor at Harbor Athletic Club, Jennifer Fox, the risk of injury is low, but check with your doctor and instructor if you have concerns. Instructor Jennifer Fox defying angles and hovered midair in core- wrenching planks and headstands. Th ough it was challenging, any time I got shaky there was a modifi cation to bring the move down a notch. Despite its appearance as a workout toy, TRX is defi nitely more that just child's play. But after an hour-long class, I was ready to pack up my own pair of straps and spend more workouts hanging around. December 2011 Photo by Amber Arnold