What is TRX suspension training?
TRX was originally developed for US Navy SEALs who needed an effective full-body workout with minimal equipment in confined spaces. A pair of adjustable straps, an anchor point, and bodyweight — that is the entire system. It was adopted by elite military conditioning programmes before professional sport picked it up, and eventually every commercial gym followed.
The principle is simple. You hold the handles and use your own bodyweight as resistance against the straps. By adjusting the angle of your body relative to the anchor point, you control exactly how much load you are working against. Lean further away from the anchor — the exercise gets harder. Move toward it — it gets easier. The same exercise works for a complete beginner and a very fit client.
Why it works so well
What makes suspension training genuinely different from conventional gym equipment is instability. Because the straps move, your core has to work constantly to stabilise every single movement. You cannot cheat the way you can on a fixed machine. Clients consistently report feeling muscles they have never felt in a gym — because the body is working as a unit rather than in isolation.
It is also one of the most joint-friendly training methods available. The load is entirely bodyweight, the range of motion is fully controlled, and the exercises can be scaled precisely to match any ability level. For clients returning from injury or those who find conventional gym exercises uncomfortable, suspension training is often the best starting point.
Training in London and Yorkshire parks
I use suspension training with clients outdoors — in London parks and in Yorkshire. A solid tree branch is all the anchor point you need. Fresh air, open space, no gym membership, no queuing for equipment. Some of the best sessions I have run have been in parks with nothing more than a set of straps and a suitable tree.
There is something that changes in a client when they train outside. The environment helps. People work harder, enjoy it more, and come back more consistently than they do in a gym. The suspension straps make outdoor training genuinely effective rather than just a change of scenery.
Who it is suitable for
Complete beginners — the load is bodyweight only and entirely adjustable. There is no minimum strength requirement and no risk of dropping a weight on yourself.
Returning from injury — suspension training allows precise control of range of motion and load. It is one of the most useful rehabilitation tools available for upper and lower body recovery alike.
Experienced trainees — the instability and core demand make exercises that look straightforward genuinely challenging. A suspension push-up or single-leg squat will challenge most experienced gym-goers.
Anyone who dislikes gyms — the entire system packs into a small bag. It can be used anywhere there is something solid to anchor it to. Parks, gardens, doorframes, beams. The gym is optional.