We all know, life can be quite busy. The time we have is often filled with work, taking care of family matters, and maintaining our social connections – there’s not much left for going to the gym. However, what if I inform you about a method that allows you to perform an entire body workout without needing any weights? Additionally, it only requires your body weight combined with equipment that can fit easily into a backpack. Introduce suspension training, an adaptable and efficient workout technique that has been receiving significant attention in the last few years.
From Navy SEALs to Your Living Room: A Brief History
Despite suspension training appearing as a trendy workout trend, its origins date back to the clever resourcefulness of Navy SEALs. In the 1990s, when a past Navy SEAL called Randy Hetrick was sent for service and had minimal availability to usual gym tools, he created an improvised suspension trainer from parachute webbing and straps. With this basic and useful device, he could do many bodyweight exercises. This marked the beginning of suspension training.
Finally, Hetrick’s invention changed into the TRX Suspension Trainer. This brand is now known as the most popular in the market for suspension training. The main idea of suspension training is basic: use gravity and your body weight to make resistance for many exercises that work on all major muscle parts. By changing body angle and position, you can adjust how hard or easy each exercise becomes – making it suitable for everyone from beginners to experienced gym-goers.
The Perks of Suspension Training: Beyond Convenience
Certainly, the convenience of being able to take. suspension training with you everywhere is a big advantage. You could do your workout at home, in the park, or even when traveling and staying at a hotel room. However, there are more advantages than just convenience that make suspension training an attractive option:
Functional Fitness: Taking the concept of functional fitness, suspension training exercises replicate actual life movements that concentrate on core stability, balance, and coordination. This makes it easier to carry out routine tasks like lifting groceries or handling a demanding hike.
Strength and Power Development: Bodyweight exercises are potent. Suspension training can involve several muscles at once, completely fostering strength and power development. Squats, lunges, rows and pushes – all these can be done with a proper suspension trainer.
Scalability for Everyone: Suspension training is suitable for all fitness levels, from beginners to those who are very experienced. You can adjust the difficulty of exercises by changing your body’s position compared to the point where it is anchored. This method lets you make workouts harder or easier in a gradual manner, keeping things challenging without causing harm to yourself.
Core Engagement Magnified: As suspension exercises typically necessitate maintaining a steady core during the action, your core is given a strong exercise. This results in better posture, lessening of back pain, and enhanced overall stability.
Putting it into Action: Sample Suspension Training Exercises
Are you prepared for suspension training? These are some simple exercises to begin with:
Bodyweight Rows: Attach your suspension trainer to a strong bar situated above you. Keep hold of the handles using an overhand grip. Lean back while holding your arms straight and maintaining a hollow core. Begin rowing by lifting your body towards the handles, making sure to squeeze your shoulder blades together at the top movement point. Slowly lower yourself back down with control.
Squats: Stand with feet hip-width apart, and hold suspension trainer handles at the back. Keep your chest up and core tight, lower into a squat like sitting on an imaginary chair. Push up through your heels to return to the starting position.
Lunges: Make use of the suspension trainer that is secured above, and grip the handles at chest height. Advance with one leg and lower your body until both knees are bent at 90-degree angles. Push yourself up to the initial position and repeat using the other leg.
Pikes: Put the suspension trainer around a solid pole or bar. Keep your arms straight, hold onto the handles, and lean forward. Contract your abdominal muscles and lift your hips, forming an upside-down V shape with your body. Slowly lower yourself back down with control.
Suspension Training: Not a Fad, But a Fitness Philosophy
Training with suspension straps is an innovative and efficient method to push your body further in fitness training. Its flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to suit all fitness levels make it a desirable choice for individuals seeking more intensity in their workout routines. Thus, leave behind the heavy gym gear and welcome into the suspension training realm. Your body (and your busy schedule) will thank you for it.
Don’t forget, this is only the beginning. There exist so many different forms and advancements that you can try with suspension training. Try out new things and discover exercises that push your limits but still maintain correct posture. And like usual, discuss with a healthcare expert before starting any fresh workout plan. Have a good time training!
