Suspension Training involves performing whole-body strength and stability exercises while suspended from sturdy, anchored cables.

It emerged in 2005 and became a true fitness trend by 2010, but some still believed it was a passing fad, like “toe shoes.”

Now, after a decade of increased popularity, TRX cables, the product leader, are a fixture of gyms everywhere.

How this happened has to do with the sustained interest in functional fitness training, which arguably includes HIIT, CrossFit, adventure obstacle races, and the renewed interest in bodyweight exercises, like pull-ups.

Functional training is popular in 2015 because many no longer visit gyms to “pump up” or “slim down,” but to develop the overall fitness needed to maintain our busy, active, sometimes hectic lifestyles.

Suspension training  is a perfect complement to any functional training program. 

Here are a few reasons why:

Suspension training is…

Versatile: Dozens of stretches and exercises can be performed with suspension cables. The most basic are push-ups and rows, but you can do single leg squats, dips, mountain climbers, and more. Cable training can help improve strength, balance, coordination, stamina, and core stability, or all these at once, making it a very rounded workout.

Adaptable: With suspension cables, you control difficulty by changing how much weight is suspended. That makes it great for rehabbing injuries, by leaning just a little, or creating serious challenges, by lean sharply or leaving the ground completely. If your main focus is strength, cable training can still be a great way to “finish” your muscles after a good workout.

Portable: Suspension cables are small and lightweight enough to pack easily in any small bag. Door frame attachments enable you to use a TRX virtually anywhere, and you can even train outside by tossing the cable over a sturdy tree branch. This can be a great idea for a sunny day at the park or keeping fit on a tropical beach vacation.

Affordable: The highest-end suspension cables, made by TRX, can run you nearly $200, but that’s still a great bargain when you consider it’s a one-time fee and the cables are virtually indestructible. On a budget? There are many low-priced competitors out there and you can even build your own suspension training system using materials from a hardware store and online DIY instructions!

If you’d like assistance incorporating suspension or functional fitness training into your heath routine, consider booking a session with a Karp personal trainer today! 

Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer in Vancouver, B.C. For more info call his office at 604-420-7800 or visit KarpFitness.com. You can also find Karp on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.

Related Articles:

The Functional Training Alternative

TRX: Introduction and Exercise Guide

TRX Installation Guide