Foo - Suspension training

Based on some discussions in another forum, about three weeks ago, I bought a Jungle Gym XT from Amazon and began doing some suspension training. This was to supplement my bike riding and Concept rower.

I have to say that I have noticed some real improvement in flexibility and core strength that does not occur from bicycling or rowing.

Anyone else doing this?

Nope. I am the Jungle Gym for my kids. Pretty sure my old chiropractor would frown about some of the things that they do to/with me...

This will be the "no sale"item at the garage sale in a few years.

I actually looked on the local Craigslist to see if I could find one used; no joy. Maybe early February would be the right time; all the people who got them for Christmas will have lost enthusiasm by then.

Yes, but with TRX. It is great but easy to injure oneself. The downside for cycling is my chest size is 2 inches larger, a lot more upper body muscle mass all round. It is an amazing ab workout and great for quads as well. Best part about TRX is it travels well and connects to any door.

A little late to the party, but I'll offer my 2 cents...

I have been doing suspension training for about two years. I started with a homemade one using rope, prussik and bowline knots, and 2 - 6" chunks of 1" PVC pipe. Last summer, I traveled to Ireland and brought it with me. I was able to get the same quality workouts there that I was getting at home. I found a utility pole near where I was staying, hung it from there, and I was good to go.

About 6 months ago I bought the TRX Force. While functionally equivalent, my homemade variety wasn't as quick to adjust and didn't come with any workout programs.

Suspension training has changed my workout paradigm. It is amazingly challenging, there are several exercises I can't even begin to do (think gymnast/ring exercises like the Iron Cross or Ice Creams), and seems to have unlimited variations. It is extremely portable: many times I have cycled somewhere, hung up my TRX, done a suspension workout, then ridden home.

The problem with road cycling (and even MTB to some extent) is that the upper body muscles get neglected. TRX can fix that. It can give you a dynamic all-around strength that no other tool can give. I highly recommend suspension training.

In the interest of accuracy: every strength workout I do includes suspension training. I often also use kettlebells (16kg and 24kg), and also cycle and run. Suspension training is only one key component of my overall workout program, it's not the only thing I do.