In Sweat in the City, Coconuts looks at the diverse options Bangkok proffers for staying fit.
SWEAT IN THE CITY – The moment I heard TRX suspension training was developed by a US Navy Seal who wanted to stay fit in a confined area (as one might have to if one was working on a boat), I bought one; a) Because I am attracted to any form of exercise that sounds a bit hardcore and b)my room is a very confined area. As soon as I got it home, though, I hung it off my bathroom door and left it there, unused, to look like a sex swing.
While the theory behind the TRX is that you can use it anywhere, it’s actually really difficult to find a doorframe sturdy enough you’d trust it with your body weight, or a tree that has a branch just the right height to sling it over, but I’d seen some really cool stuff done with it (including advanced handstand push-ups which are made more difficult than the regular kind if you put your foot in one of the TRX handles to add instability to the already tricky exercise).
So, I headed to a group class because I trusted the gym’s sturdy fittings a lot more than my bathroom door and because I have very little motivation to work out at home when I could be lying on my belly watching lakorn instead.
I headed to the TRX class at Fit Studios where the trainer gave me a quick lesson in how to adjust the TRX’s straps to suit the exercise you’re doing, then we dived straight into it.
There are around a dozen suspension trainers and, despite all facing each other, the class was the least competitive I’ve ever participated in. I put that down to the fact that it’s very easy to subtly progress and regress every exercise, so it’s easy to have an easy session or push yourself a bit without anyone ever knowing (most progressions involve slightly shifting the angle of your body to the TRX). I’ve seen people just starting out in exercise getting their first good resistance workout on the TRX and weightlifting old hands all be put through their paces by the TRX
The class was a full body workout of simple compound movements, such as squats and lunges and push ups, all modified with the suspension trainer and interspersed with bit of HIIT (high intensity interval training), which included jumping jacks and knee-ups. The trainer, Au, was sure to clearly explain how the TRX should be used and what muscles each movement was targeting. The whole hour was accompanied by a really enjoyable and slightly unexpected backing track of some eighties style aerobics class tracks, a little dance and some Rihanna.
I’d always thought the TRX was just a great way to regress and progress body weight exercises, which it is, but it’s also brilliant for developing balance. Just try lifting a bent knee high in front of you then lunging with it out behind you, all while your foot is hooked in one of the stirrups, if you don’t believe me.
Difficulty Rating: Depends on how far you want to push yourself.
Suitable For: The beauty of TRX is that you can adjust it to your own fitness abilities, so everyone can benefit.
FIND IT:
TRX, Studio by FIT
Phleon Chit
Head to their Facebook page for the latest schedule
