We love trying out new things here at TOAD and when we heard about TRX classes at newly opened Fit Studio we were keen to check it out.
Born in the Navy SEALs, TRX Suspension Training bodyweight exercise develops strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. It requires the use of the TRX Suspension Trainer, a highly portable performance training tool that leverages gravity and the user’s body weight to enable hundreds of exercises for every fitness goal. The beauty of the TRX is that it can be set-up anywhere – at a gym, at home, outside or on the back of a door.
Since we could not be anything further from a Navy SEAL we were slightly anxious about taking this class but our very energetic and encouraging instructor, Cindy, welcomed us all and gave us a quick rundown on what TRX is, ‘a specially designed set of straps and handles that connect at a secure point. The TRX enables people to work in a wide spectrum of fitness levels.’
First we had to warm up, Cindy got us power walking, lightly jogging and running with our knees up while she quickly told us how to use the TRX by lengthening and shortening the straps as needed – which you need to learn how to do this quickly because once the class starts you change between exercises pretty fast.
We started by pulling back on the TRX and walking backwards until it was taut. We then grabed on to the handles and did a series of dips. This was then taken up a notch when we did the same dipping movements but this time we pushed one hand back to the floor and then reached up to the top of the straps as high as we could while pulling ourselves back up. We then continued with a series of these types of exercises, and boy did we start to feel it. Our legs were shaking, we were sweating and all we could think about was how we wanted to be sitting next door at Jones the Grocer having a coffee.
We then continued with arm work by doing a series of chest presses and push up type exercises. These were particularly hard but Cindy encouraged us to go at our own pace and to either make it harder or easier by walking forwards or backwards.
Just when we thought it couldn’t get any harder and we had really pushed ourselves to the limit the really difficult exercises began. The first had us lying on the floor under the centre from where the TRX is hooked into the roof. We pulled ourselves up and then back down in one fluid motion, and if you think that sounds easy you are woefully mistaken. Cindy could see we were all struggling so she told us not to stop but to try and just do smaller moves of the same exercise. The next super-hard move was a side plank with both feet hooked into the TRX while leaning on one forearm while the other hand was up in the air. As much as we really wanted to be good at this, we simply couldn’t put our hand in the air so we gave up on that and concentrated on balancing. We were in a quite a bit of pain but, as Cindy said, this was supposed to be hard. If it was easy we would all be doing it.
As much as the TRX class had been a really hard work out, we were really proud of ourselves for giving it a go. The benefits of this type of full body work out are worth the pain you will inevitably feel a few days later. We will definitely be back to give it another try.
We attended a ladies only class, but there are mixed classes available as well. Fit Studio will be starting their summer schedule at the beginning of June so visit to the website for timings. Fit Studio, next to Jones the Grocer, Al Mamoura B, Muroor Rd www.fitstudio.ae (02 445 3395).
