Workout like a Navy SEAL

Hello workout friends!
This week we're giving TRX Suspension Training a try. The exercises might appear to be pretty easy, but they aren't.

"It's basically a strength-training system," explains Barb Mendoza, "it's just body weight and two nylon straps!" It doesn't get much more simple that that and simple is part of the reason this personal trainer was drawn to the TRX. The other selling point - the system was invented by a Navy SEAL for working out in the field. "TRX 101 is that where you position yourself makes a huge difference," Barb tells us during our training session. We start out with our hands in the straps, feet on the ground, doing one-legged squats and lunges. Then we move on to upper body exercises like rows, flys and tricep extensions. We play around with the position of our feet and can immediately feel how a change in stance changes the level of difficulty.

What we didn't anticipate was putting our feet in the straps, but Barb shows us some moves that really push us out of our comfort zones. "You'll be on the floor for a couple of things and you'll be unhappy when you're there because it's gonna be hard!" She's not kidding. Sonya goes first. Her feet are in the straps and she's face down in a basic plank. That move is tough in and of itself, but then Barb tells Sonya to push her hips to the ceiling, into a pike. After several reps it's back to the plank - with a twist. Barb tells Sonya to swing her hips from side to side. This routine blasts your entire body, but really targets your core. "When we say core, everybody thinks abs," says Barb, "but hip flexors, hamstrings, glutes and back are also part of the core." And I get to target those muscle groups. Barb also puts my feet in the straps, but I'm face up. First I do hamstring curls like you would on a stability ball and it doesn't take long to burn out. The next move is a high bridge that torches your glutes and I'm thinking this is the fast track to a fantastic looking butt! Finally Barb has me swing side to side just like Sonya did and I can instantly feel my obliques and back working.

We loved the TRX workout. It was really hard and we're sure it produces results. If you want to give it a try with Barb, call her at 277-9721 or visit her website www.fitnessbydesigndm.com.

EEK
Erin.Kiernan@whotv.com