What Exactly Is TRX All about?

From article dated 9-10-2010 Trx Training – Truth About Trx Suspension

Randy Hetrick, the originator of the TRX training program, came up with this idea because many of his Seal friends found it very difficult to exercise while deployed. Most of the time this was because of limited exercise equipment and very little room to workout. Just imagine how challenging it’s to work out inside of a sub or in tight quarters on a ship. However, visualize a Navy Seal needing to haul around a Total Gym or some other type of exercise equipment. it’s impossible. So, Randy created a total body home gym that was made of the webbing from his parachute. As you know, the TRX continues to be improved upon. Currently, the suspensions cables are merely straps with grips that you could attach to a pole, or fence. Several hundred workout routines can be carried out when using the TRX suspension system. Many of these include things like push-ups, leg squats, pullups, planks and a lot more. The exact product is quite user-friendly and uncomplicated. More or less all you need to do is seize the grips and simply turn your body, leaning away from what is called the “anchor point.”

Kettlebell is a cast iron or cast steel ball with a handle attached to the top. It is used to perform many types of exercises, including ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training. They are also the primary equipment used in the weight lifting sport of kettlebell lifting. (Wikipedia)

The Top 5 Benefits Of Kettlebells

Article from Cotter Crunch website

1. Crazy Calorie Burn Potential

A study from ACE revealed that swinging a kettlebell around can blast up to 20 calories per minute. To put that into perspective, that’s about how many calories you burn per minute if running a 6-minute mile. HUGE!

Just think, a 20 minute workout could have you burning up to 400 calories!

2. Increase Your Range Of Motion

We all want to be able to move freely and without pain, right? I’m not getting any younger, and things seem to stiffen up on a daily basis.

Kettlebells can help keep the body loose and moving in all plans of motion to help decrease risk of injuries and aches/pains.

Large moves performed with kettlebells like swings, cleans, snatches and beloved Turkish Get-ups are amazing for joint health and flexibility.

3. It’s The Total Package

When you think of strength, you think lifting weights. When you think cardio, you think running/biking/swimming. And when you think flexibility, you think yoga. Well, now you can have all three of those classes in one workout. The ballistic nature of kettlebell training incorporates all forms of fitness.

4. They Are Functional

Yes, functional is a word that gets thrown around a lot in the fitness world. However, when it comes to kettlebells, they really are functional. Basically, they help you handle every day life movements with ease. For example… what’s a shopping bag? A kettlebell!

5. They’re Not Balanced Like A Traditional Weight

Because of the unique shape of the kettlebell, the center of gravity isn’t the center (like with a dumbbell or plate). To keep stable, your core and glutes have to work harder. What does this mean for you? A stronger core can help reduce back pain, help to make you a faster runner, help to eliminate risk of injuries and increase your overall calorie burn (because more muscles are activated during the workout).

Benefits of Heavy Rope Training

Posted March 14, 2011

Did you know that Heavy Ropes for heavy rope training were named ‘Best New Cardio Tool of 2009′ by Men’s Health magazine? If you’ve ever completed a heavy rope workout, you know why they earned this distinction. If you never have… what are you waiting for?

You probably hear a lot of people talking about ‘core training’. what they mean is doing workouts that hit the body’s core – the deep muscles of the abs and back – as well as the large muscles of the body like the chest and thighs. Core work is a great way to rapidly amp up your metabolism and burn calories, as well as strength your whole body.

You’ve know doubt heard some core exercises being touted, exercises like kettle bell swings and tire flips. Another great workout tool that has recently emerged (or re-emerged since it was used by the Romans centuries ago) is the heavy rope.

A heavy rope workout is a fantastic way to work out whole body, increasing both your strength and endurance.

The concept is simple. Two lengths of heavy rope, the end of each one held in your hand, the other end attached to something stationary or held by a workout partner. There are many different motions you can use, but it’s best to keep it simple when you’re starting out. Simple means 3 motions:

Alternating wave: this is moving each arm up and down opposite each other to create waves in the rope.

Single wave: You can do this with one rope or two. In this movement, you move your arms up and down together, creating a singel wave in the rope(s).

Around the world: Another one you can do with one rope or two. Keeping your arms together, make a large circular motion with your arms.

With each of these exercises, you want to stand with your feet about shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. What you quickly learn is that it’s impossible to do these motions with your arms alone – you have to engage your whole body. You’ve might not think so, but that 25 foot length of rope gets very heavy, very fast.

If you’re new to working out, you want to start slow. Even if you’re an experienced exerciser, you’re going to find the heavy rope workout is like no other.