Yesterday I attended the TRX STC 8-hour training course for personal trainers and other fitness professionals. It was held at ocfsgym.com, a boxing, MMA, and fitness gym here in Orlando. They had a really nice facility there complete with kettlebells, a boxing ring, fight cage, strength training machines, and a wood floor classroom. We were obviously in the classroom. Despite the bizarre lighting in there, it was a great learning environment with 9 TRX suspension trainers hanging from the exposed beam ceiling.
A total of 16 people attended, many of which were not from the Orlando area, including a large group from a nifty sounding gym in the St. Pete, FL area called Body Dynamics. Our instructor, Lynn had us all pair off and try the various methods of working with the TRX Suspension trainer. My first partner was Justin, a personal trainer from the Winter Springs YMCA – and luckily, we were similar enough in height that we didn’t have to do much adjusting of the TRX when we would switch roles of “trainer” and “client”. After familiarizing us with the named parts on the TRX and how to use it in a very basic way, Lynn led us all on a timed sets, full body workout on the TRX. Here’s the thing – like a lot of stuff in life, you get out of what you put into the TRX. SURE, you could make it easy on yourself, but why?! Justin and I both pushed it to the max, so we (and many others) were sweaty just in time for lunch break.
Hardly anyone knew the Mills/Hwy50 area so I suggested a local Vietnamese Restaurant that has such a large menu that people of all dietary persuasions could find something they would enjoy. Personally, I had my favorite Vietnamese raw beef salad, some spring rolls, and a papaya salad – because I was starving! My new friends all found stuff they liked on the menu too (including a sizzling seafood stirfry) – and didn’t even bat an eye at my raw beef eating. So yeah, MEGA cool points to you guys!
After lunch we focused on strategies for safely attaching the TRX to overhead points, vertical poles, doors, and creative ways to make the most of other situations. The TRX is extremely adjustable, and this really came into play. Honestly I can’t wait to get one to use with several of my existing personal training clients.
Following this demonstration, we continued to break down various exercises for targeting upper and lower body parts, and then “core” even though we’d pretty much been hitting the core with MOST of the exercises up to this point. The TRX is a great way to train for stability without looking like you’re a seal in a circus if you know what I mean. What kept coming up time after time was how “adjustable” any exercise was – by changing foot position (stability), the angle of the TRX (vector), or your position under/around the TRX (pendulum). It was realistic to take a VERY advanced exercise, like a single leg squat and by using the TRX, regress it to the point where almost anyone could give it a try.
It was also great to talk to the personal trainers, gym owners, bootcamp business owners, pilates teachers, dance teachers, etc who showed up to the class. I got several awesome ideas and tips for working with very overweight, deconditioned clients that help to ease them into a more active lifestyle while preserving their dignity and giving a sense of accomplishment.
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