Focus On: TRX

Hi 😀 What’s up friends? Hope you’ve had a fabulous afternoon. Happy birthday to three of my real-life blog friends today: the Twins and Caitlin! <3 Today I’m bringing you a Focus On post that answers the question: What is TRX? Read on for more, but first a little about my day.

Some fun goodies came in the mail today:

Lululemon Tank and Carrots N Cake book

A new lulu tank and the Carrots ‘N Cake book. As far as the tank goes, even though I don’t work there anymore, you can bet your booty I still shop there (but miss my discount), and the book was a gift from the publisher. I am so excited to read it!

Bella tried to call dibs so she could read about her friend Murphy:

bella and book

but I told her she’d have to wait 😉

And then I told her it was bath time, and she promptly hid under the bed.

bell hiding under the bed

Just look at this defiant little face.

Unhappy Bell

(blurry, but I had to post it)

Afterwards, she did her post-bath frenzy and is now sleeping prettily on the couch 😉

For snack, I enjoyed a protein muffin, switched up a little bit.

protein muffin

(these things are SO giant! I lurve it)

Since I didn’t have any applesauce, or yogurt, or pumpkin, I used something totally random instead: cooked quinoa! I figured if it worked, great, and if not, NBD, but wanted to see what happened.

I liked it even better this way!

protein muffin

A few of you have said that Deb’s original recipe has a sponge-y texture. By adding the quinoa, it made it more cake-like. I love it even more now.

(PS. Drizzle some maple syrup on top. You will foodgasm your face off)

For dinner, I’ve got some carrot-bean-beet burgers in the oven,

carrot beet burgers

and am about to pack my lunch and snacks since I start work tomorrow! Kinda stoked 😀

Since I have to work early, there will be a special Pilot post (seksi pictures? I hope) waiting for ya 🙂

Off to Zumba and on to TRX Suspension Training! 

What is TRX Suspension Training?

What it is: TRX (Total Body Resistance Exercise) is a full-body workout, utilizing the TRX system, which is suspended from the ceiling or a door frame.

Here’s a pic of what the equipment looks like:

trx_large Source

Many gyms have TRX systems in the weight or cardio areas, and they’re one of those things that I had NO idea what to do with until recently.

What to expect: To be SORE! The TRX system will work your body in an entirely different way than you may be used to. The suspension forces you to utilize your core for many of the movements, and by using this tool, you’ll be doing twists on standard strength exercises. There are a lot of compound exercises that can be done with the TRX, too. For example, you can hold onto the handles, squat, and row at the same time—working your back, quads, hamstrings, biceps and core.

Planks on the TRX are WICKED, too.

TRX plank Source

Quite a few gyms offer TRX classes, or you can purchase the system to have at home, as well as at-home DVDs. (Has anyone tried the DVDs??)

What to wear: Standard gym gear. I recommend crops or pants (to prevent flashing other participants—if you’re at home, wear whatever floats your boat), a tank or fitted shirt, and sneakers.

Pros:

-Versatility. There are over 300 different things you can do with it. In contrast to the cost (which is around $120), I think that it’s a worthy investment. If you can try out a class before purchasing your own, I highly recommend it. This way, you’ll know if you like it and will also have an idea of proper form.

-Convenience. Easy to remove and take with you if you move or travel. It’s a very lightweight piece of equipment.

-Workout quality. If you have a great instructor, you will get a great workout.

Cons:
-The same cons that can come with working out at home. Some of us need a gym environment to push ourselves (if this is the case, seek out a class!), and others can work out at home no problemo. See what mold you fit into before investing in your own system.

Want to learn more? Here’s an awesome informative video:

TRX Workouts

Looking for a plan? Here are some of my TRX Workouts:

Total Body TRX Circuit

TRX Superset Workout

TRX and Kettlebell Workout

The Best TRX Exercises

Has anyone tried TRX before? What was your experience like?

Random ?: Since I have egg whites a couple of times each day, any ideas on what to do with the yolks? A few of ya left some for me on my last post- thank you! I feel wasteful throwing them away, but have yet to see organic egg whites in a carton.

xoxo

Gina

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94 Comments

  1. lindsay on April 27, 2011 at 6:50 am

    TRX is one of my husband sponsors. THANK GOODNESS FOR THEM! We love to travel with it. And I was really impressed with the videos. Now if only they could come with some of your carrot beet burgers, wow!

  2. Heather (Heather's Dish) on April 27, 2011 at 7:45 am

    i’ve never tried the TRX system before, but i can see how it would totally kill in the best way! i think i’m sore just from thinking about them 😉

  3. Laura on April 27, 2011 at 8:24 am

    trader joe’s has organic cage free egg whites in a carton!

  4. Gabby on April 27, 2011 at 8:29 am

    Yes! I have a TRX system and I Love it! I am currently doing a TRX and Kettlebell Fusion class with a trainer to make sure I have proper form. The DVDs and color booklets are great for looking at the moves and different progression levels. But nothing beats have a professional make sure your getting the best results by using proper form. And the stretching moves are excellent. It’s so versatile and travels well. Great investment!

  5. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on April 27, 2011 at 8:31 am

    Good luck at your first day at work!

    I can’t really think of any food uses for egg yolks, but I’ve heard that they can be used to make homemade face masks! 😛

  6. erin on April 27, 2011 at 8:46 am

    i tried the TRX. youknow what though — it only comes with a select few exercises in the original purchase. then you have to buy another dvd for more exercises. and also scour the web for more stuff. I felt somewhat limited with it – in terms of just using a door anchor. it was winter when I had it. so it was too cold to just go outside and work with it. I didn’t like it – so i sent it back, and got my money back.

  7. Tiffany on April 27, 2011 at 8:55 am

    I love your blog. I read it every morning with a cup of coffee.=)
    I work at a gym and just recently started doing trx classes. I have never felt so sore after a class. But it has been such an awesome workout and I can definitely see the results. It helps having a really great instructor to help get the correct technique but it would be fun to have one for at home use. I would recommend trx to anyone.

  8. Sarah on April 27, 2011 at 9:24 am

    I give my yolks to my dogs. The healthy fat is good for their coats (nice and shiney). I’ve even taught them how to suck the yolk out of the shell after I seperate the white out, so I don’t have to feed it to them out of my hand. It’s like watching them do egg-shots!

    • Fitnessista on April 27, 2011 at 9:48 pm

      they can eat them raw??

  9. P!nky on April 27, 2011 at 10:13 am

    I <3 TRX! I hired my first trainer last summer just to work on my core and Holy frijoles she ROCKED MY WORLD! Just doing abs with the TRX killed me! My only con is the amount of stress placed on my wrists. I had to stop sometimes because of the wrist fatigue and not ab fatigue.

  10. Kathleen on April 27, 2011 at 10:42 am

    I love TRX workouts! The first time I used it was with a friend and we could feel the heat radiating off each other from the strain of working out. It’s a little tricky at first but once you get the hang(har har) of it it’s a killer workout, esp. ab stuff!!

    I found Organic Valley egg whites at Publix yesterday. It looks almost identical to some of their milk cartons and the fact that the carton’s background is white its hard to notice the picture of an eggwhite omelet… Pretty sure I did the happy dance in the dairy secton much to my hubby’s dismay when I found it.

    If you can’t find it I’ve heard egg yolk is great for your hair as a mask! Or you can feed a few to Bella, it’s good for her coat!

  11. Lisa on April 27, 2011 at 10:58 am

    I use the TRX ALL THE TIME!!! I love it! I got started with it when I started a half marathon training program that had TRX as the strength training part and even though the half is completed I still use it. The training plan came with videos and descriptions on how to do the moves, so I now have an idea what to do, but there are a LOT of people at the gym who I see on them and they have NO idea what they are doing. It makes me scared that they will hurt themselves, but I also don’t want to butt in and correct them and seem like a know-it-all.

    It works me HARD, and I’m always a sweaty beast after. LOVE IT!

  12. kourtney on April 27, 2011 at 11:21 am

    My commissary has Organic Valley egg whites – though $4.99 a carton.

  13. Stephanie on April 27, 2011 at 11:29 am

    For the egg yolks – you could make cream puffs…though that might defeat the purpose of healthy eating lol. And the hair mask/Bella’s fur thing would probably work well too. (Bam! Found it – http://www.beauty-advices.com/do-it-yourself-at-home-hair-masks-easy-recipes-part-ii/)

    I actually just grabbed a Groupon for a local TRX class. Sometime in mid-May I’ll be having my asana handed to me. =)

  14. Donna @ Love, Run & Travel on April 27, 2011 at 11:29 am

    My gym is starting a TRX class in the next few weeks and i’m really excited to try it!
    I guess all the guys got upset that the women have Physique 57 AND Anti Gravity yoga so they wanted to have some fun as well!
    Thanks for the insight into what its all about 🙂

  15. Diana (Soap & Chocolate) on April 27, 2011 at 11:31 am

    Happy 1st day of new job! Hope it’s going fabulously.

    Your new lulu tank looks familiar. 🙂 You would think that by vacationing across the country I could keep myself out of that store for a week, but…no. I have a new tank with that print in the detail. And a yellow headband to match. Even though I don’t have much hair to hold back anymore. Such is Mango.

    (I am feeling all of my 28 years by quoting 10+-year-old SNL.)

  16. aj on April 27, 2011 at 11:46 am

    I’m still confused about the yolks? I eat my eggs whole about 4-5 mornings a week. I usually only have one egg per day, is that too much? I prefer to eat one whole egg, as I feel like the yolk gives it more staying power. I remember hearing something long ago about only having whole eggs a few times a week, but Dr. Oz said you can eat about 2 whole eggs every day if you want. Help!

    • Fitnessista on April 27, 2011 at 9:46 pm

      no one whole egg per day is totally fine! if i had the yolks every time i had whites though, i’d have up to 6 whole eggs per day which is way too much

  17. Sarah on April 27, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    My trainer has started to use TRX with me and the first time that I used it with him I was so sore it wasn’t even funny. I was a little nervous about it because I have horrible balance but I love that it challenges me and is something different. I also know I could never do it at home…..not enough motivation. Plus I like that little extra push you get from a trainer.

  18. Shannon on April 27, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    Organic Valley makes organic egg whites in the carton. At Whole Paycheck (in South Florida) they are in the same area as the eggs in a red and white carton. Good luck!! I hope they have them near you!!

    • Fitnessista on April 27, 2011 at 9:45 pm

      i’m so excited to go find these

  19. Ruth on April 27, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    Those burgers look awesome. I’ve always wondered about TRX – never treid it though becuase the equipment is pretty expensive if you’re not sure its for you. Thanks for sharing your expereinces!

  20. Pure2raw twins on April 27, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    I have heard of the TRX before, I think it looks pretty fun and promising. Love finding new workouts!!

    Wish we could have celebrated our bday with you girl!!! xoxo

    • Fitnessista on April 27, 2011 at 9:39 pm

      me too!!! we’ll have to have an un-birthday celebration next time i see you:)

  21. Maria on April 27, 2011 at 11:22 pm

    I feel that everyone has a bday in April!! I have 4 this week between my family & friends. I’ve always wanted to try out TRX at the gym I used to belong to but it just seemed really intimidating. Are you going to post a book review for Carrots N Cake?

    • Fitnessista on April 28, 2011 at 12:01 am

      yes i totally will!
      and you’re right- lots of april birthdays!

  22. Katie on April 28, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    This is a tidbit late, but I just saw this article on a use for egg yolks in case you’re interested (as a hair conditioning treatment):

    http://www.care2.com/greenliving/diy-for-shiny-hair.html

  23. Eden on April 28, 2011 at 9:10 pm

    Deb’s recipes alway me foodgasms. That coconut flour actually gives me an orgy in my mouth.

    • Fitnessista on April 28, 2011 at 9:23 pm

      you’re right- she has incredible recipes

  24. Eden on April 28, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    I meant “give me”, clearly, these muffins effect my grammatical skills

  25. Christin@purplebirdblog on April 30, 2011 at 11:38 am

    I made a bitchin’ dairy free vanilla custard with leftover yolks a while back that I got of Sarena’s blog… ’twas fantastic! 🙂

  26. Hannie on May 3, 2011 at 9:26 pm

    Hey I actually teach TRX and was out of town when you made this post…. I love TRX and I love kicking guys butts at it ;). Just FYI there is a video on youtube on how to make your own! Buying one costs around $200, but making it only cost $15 and works great!

    • Fitnessista on May 4, 2011 at 1:34 am

      whoa good to know! thanks for the tip 🙂

  27. Katie @ cooklaughmove on May 25, 2011 at 11:50 am

    I do TRX at my gym twice a week! And I’m always sore afterwards because it is never the same workout twice. Tuesday we did 20 mins of non-stop lunges and squats (variations on the basic moves) and today my booty feels it!

    I hate how tough TRX is, but I love getting a better workout and being pushed harder than I push myself.

  28. Doug on August 3, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    Late to be reading this, but just found your site. I’ve been doing TRX 2x weekly and am preparing for a half marathon. Any guidance or plans you’ve found that incorporate TRX with training for a half? Not wanting to over/under do my training. Thanks!!

  29. […] to have them at the gym here, and it was recently added it to our home gym: TRX! I have a Focus Post about TRX (and some of my favorite exercises and a total body circuit are here!), and it’s a […]

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