TRX Suspension Class is designed to tone the body

At Rex Wellness Center, the TRX Suspension Class is designed to help the body defy gravity. Straps may be holding the body up, class instructor Katherine Baldwin said it is essentially “you holding up your body weight.”

Posted 9:40 p.m. Jul 17, 2009 — Updated 12:12 a.m. Jul 18, 2009

RALEIGH, N.C. — In the military, physical training is a daily part of life. So when a Navy Seal was deployed overseas with no exercise equipment, he invented an exercise using parachute straps hanging from large tanks or trucks.

His method has become a new exercise at some health clubs.

At Rex Wellness Center, the TRX Suspension Class is designed to help the body defy gravity. Straps may be holding the body up, but, class instructor Katherine Baldwin said, it is essentially “you holding up your body weight.”

“Predominantly, it is strength training. I do add a cardio component to it because that’s what people are used to,” Baldwin said.

Some exercises are done standing up, but the most challenging stuff is when it’s time to get down on the floor.

“We’re working legs, chest, biceps, triceps, all over – everything,” Baldwin said.

Marla Cooper, who takes the class, said she loves the challenge and the company – something that was missing in her old exercise routines.

“I was a little bit bored with what I was doing out there on the floor all by myself,” Cooper said.

Cooper said she could see a difference in her body after the first month of exercising once a week.

Even for many people who think they're fit, Baldwin said this exercise class is humbling.

“It’s a tough class,” said Jeremy Draper, while attending the class for the first time.

Baldwin said the class is attracting interest, but she's not sure if it qualifies as the latest trend just yet.

“Maybe it is a trend. It’s gotta be because it’s such a good thing,” Baldwin said. “Once they’ve done it, they love it.”

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