How did the TRX suspension trainer come about??? The suspension TRX trainer was created by the Navy SEALs and since adopted by premier athletes across the globe, TRX is scientifically proven to improve total-body strength, stability, and even cardiovascular health. Since day one, TRX has empowered people of all kinds to be their best selves, never limited by constraints of time, place, or physical ability.
1997 – While on deployment, Navy SEAL Squadron Commander Randy Hetrick creates the first version of TRX using only a jiu jitsu belt and parachute webbing.
2001
Hetrick earns his MBA from Stanford University and develops the first version of the TRX Suspension Trainer, quickly capturing the attention of athletes, coaches and trainers.
2004
Travelfit, Inc. officially launches and Hetrick begins selling the Travel X, the precursor to the TRX Suspension Trainer, out of the trunk of his car in San Francisco.
2005
TRX launches the first Suspension Training course to instruct trainers on how to bring TRX to gyms everywhere.
2006
TRX enters the international market.
2007
TRX FORCE launches as a military training program and is incorporated by the US Marine Corps.
2008
The flagship TRX Training Center opens at TRX HQ in San Francisco, kickstarting programming and education developments.
2009
Five years after launch, TRX has more than one million users in over 60 countries. To celebrate, we officially partner with NFL quarterback and TRX enthusiast Drew Brees.
2010
TRX merges with RipCore FX to form TRX Rip Training. The Pro Pack, a new Suspension Trainer design, is unveiled to meet the needs of fitness professionals.
2011
TRX hosts the first-ever Rip Training course along with a sports medicine Suspension Training Course.
2012
TRX introduces two innovations for the commercial space: the TRX Commercial Suspension Trainer and group Rip Training education course.
2013
TRX introduces trainer basics, the first-ever online Suspension Training course.
2014
TRX hosts its first TRX Trainer Summit in Long Beach, CA with attendees from all across the globe.
25 Minute TRX Workout Combining TRX Suspension Training with a HIIT Workout
TRX GO Suspension Training Kit, Black
Battling Ropes – A Very Brief History
John Brookfield is the founder, creator, and developer of the Battling Ropes System. John has been a leader in the strength and fitness world for many years now. He has been known around the globe for his amazing feats of strength and endurance. He has been on television with shows like Regis and Kathie Lee, The Today Show, and Good Morning America just to name a few. John has been featured in the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not and the Guinness Book of World Records, as well as several publications including MMA Sports, Fighters Only and The Washington Post. John has authored four books, including Mastery of Hand Strength. Although John is 52 years old, he feels he has not yet reached his potential when it comes to his fitness level. By finding and developing the Battling Ropes system, John has found a new motivation to climb higher due to results that the system produces.
John Brookfield is a multiple world record holder and author. Even though John is 52-years-old, he is still going strong. Here is a short list of a few of John Brookfield’s accomplishments.
#1 – John just recently pulled a truck weighing 24,000 pounds a distance of one full mile in one hour and 23 minutes. The mile pull was done without the use of any pulling ropes.
#2 – Just recently, John rolled up one-quarter mile of steel nonstop in 59 minutes. The world record was done by using 62 twenty-foot steel bars, which were 9/16″ in diameter. Each bar was laying on the ground and had to be rolled up so tight that they fit into a small suitcase.
#3 – John Brookfield and Jon Bruney pulled a semi-truck weighing slightly over 32,000 pounds a distance of one full mile in one hour and thirty-six minutes. Much of the route had an upgrade.
#4 – John tore 100 decks of plastic-coated poker cards in half in two minutes and fifteen seconds.
#5 – John tore 60 decks of plastic-coated poker cards in half in one minute exactly.
#6 – John performed 1,200 kettlebell snatches in one hour exactly using a 53-pound kettlebell.
#7 – John performed 302 kettlebell snatches in ten minutes using a 53-pound kettlebell.
#8 – John bent 520 nails into a U-shape in one hour and forty-two minutes. The nails were 60-penny nails.
#9 – John rolled up a 20-foot, 5/8″ steel bar in 33 seconds so tight it could be placed in an average-sized suitcase.
#10 – John used a 50-pound sledgehammer for one full hour and struck a tire about thirty times a minute non-stop throughout the hour.
Battle of the Battling Ropes
Battling ropes have made a huge appearance back into mainstream strength and conditioning workouts thanks to gentleman like John Brookfield and Anthony Dilugio. John Brookfield, also known as Mr. Hands due to his incredible grip strength, generally is seen as the modern father of battling ropes and his Wave System is probably the most widely used and duplicated out there. While these gentlemen have certainly brought ropes back into the mainstream, strongmen and longshoremen have long known the benefits of working with heavy rope.
Ropes provide a very unique cardio and a functional strength workout. It is low impact, can be done nearly anywhere and will seriously work your entire body. Due to the rising popularity of ropes I field a lot of questions on the type of rope, the thickness of rope and the length of the rope to use.
Rope Length
The standard length for battling ropes is 50 feet. A 50′ rope wrapped around a post or anchored to something solid provides an effective working length of approximately 25 feet per hand. While advanced users may want a rope as long as 100′ and beginners may want something shorter. When being used in classes where you have two people using the same rope, in other words one person at each end, you may want to consider purchasing 30′ or 40′ ropes which will again give you a similar experience as using the 50′ doubled over. If you want to shorten a 50′ rope it is very easy to do by simply tying a knot in the center of the rope to shorten its length. By doing this you can the rope can be used by anyone from kids to advanced users.
Rope Thickness
For most people and most uses the 1.5″ thick rope provides the best option. This size rope presents the most versatility and can be used by nearly anyone. The grip of even trained athletes will be challenged at this thickness but beginners can still use it as well. We highly recommend 1.5″ thick ropes and they are by far the most popular size. Of course if you are looking to really push your grip strength or your goals are strongman like strength then we would suggest going up to a 2″ thick rope. This size rope is not for the average user, but it will make you strong if you can tame it!
Rope Type
Type of rope is probably the most challenging question. It used to be that a rope was a rope was a rope, but today their are many options available and it can be confusing. The three main options are nylon, poly, and manila. I will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each.
8 Strand Poly Of all the options poly is the best bet. Our poly ropes have a nice smooth finish and are black in color. The poly ropes have the best life span and are perfect for both indoor and outdoor use. Poly rope does not absorb moisture and it floats. Use it at the beach, in the pool, in the rain, it doesnt matter. Mold and mildew resistant this rope will never let you down and never stink up your garage. Price wise poly rope is the most expensive rope.
Manila Manila rope is what most people think of when they think rope. As the least expensive option of the ropes, manila is often the choice selected. It is the perfect rope for outdoor use as they are rugged ropes. Manila is a natural fiber rope and will have a certain amount of shedding and a break in period. These brown ropes may feel greasy or slick when you first receive them, this is due to absorbing moisture and the natural moisture in the fibers. To cure the rope we recommend allowing it dry in the sun and then taking a dry cloth and vigorously rubbing it over the rope. Doing this with the cloth will help to remove many of the loose fibers from the rope preventing a mess later on. Using chalk on the rope can also help during the break in period since the chalk will help absorb moisture also. While you can leave this rope outside it will rot over time if allowed to stay wet. Treat the rope well and it will last you a lifetime.
3 Strand Nylon For many woman or gyms that cater specifically to a large female population the Nylon rope is an excellent choice. Middle of the road when it comes to pricing this smooth silky rope works well for people who prefer to be strong without sacrificing their hands to the cause. While some people find callouses and torn open hands sexy, (yes Cross Trainers we know who you are) most woman and some men would still prefer to avoid tearing up their hands during and this rope is a great economical solution. One possible perceived draw back of nylon rope is that it is white and can begin to look grungy after extended use.
Conclusion
Get a rope! Any rope will do, but our best recommendation is an 8 Strand Poly rope that is 1.5″ thick. I hope this helps you in your quest to a stronger and better life. If you would like to see our full line of ropes please visit our Battling Ropes page. Now go Play with a Purpose!
A Beginner’s Guide to Battling Ropes
Your workout shouldn’t be as rigid as a barbell. Make some waves to build more muscle Ropes aren’t just for sailing and S&M. They’re a must-have tool for anyone looking to pack on lean mass. “The key to their effectiveness is that they work each arm independently, eliminating strength imbalances as they sculpt your muscle,” says John Brookfield, creator of the original battling-ropes system. They also provide a killer cardio workout. Read on to maximize your burnand brawn.
Ropes aren’t just for sailing and S&M. They’re a must-have tool for anyone looking to pack on lean mass. “The key to their effectiveness is that they work each arm independently, eliminating strength imbalances as they sculpt your muscle,” says John Brookfield, creator of the original battling-ropes system. They also provide a killer cardio workout. Read on to maximize your burnand brawn.
Battle Fat at Home
Training ropes come in various lengths and thicknesses, but a 50-foot, 1//-inch-thick rope works best for most guys ($155, powerropes.com). You can also craft your own: Buy 50 feet of generic 1 1/2-inch rope ($110, homedepot.com) and wrap the ends in electrical tape. To anchor it, just loop it around a pole.
TRAINING RULE 1: Move in Many Directions
Don’t just wave the ropes up and down. “Try different motions to work different muscles and skills,” says Brookfield. Going from side to side, for example, places more emphasis on your hips and core, building total-body stability. Moving the ropes in circles improves shoulder mobility and range of motion, boosting athleticism and reducing your risk of injury. Switching among different motions in your training sessions will help you sculpt functional real-world strength.
TRAINING RULE 2: Use Ropes for Everything
Lots of guys use battling ropes as a finisher or as one exercise in a larger circuit. “But ropes also make for a great workout in and of themselves,” Brookfield says. You might do each exercise on this page for 10 minutes, for example, or do waves alone for a full 20 minutes. “Doing one task for extended periods teaches your mind to focus and helps your body flush lactic acid.” It also extends the time your muscles are under tension, helping you build strength as you shed fat.
TRAINING RULE 3: Adjust the Resistance
The amount of slack in the rope determines the load. “Moving away from the anchor point decreases exercise intensity, while stepping toward the anchor point increases it,” Brookfield says. Adjust the slack so you’re challenged to complete each set. If you’re doing a battling-rope workout, alternate between two minutes closer to the anchor point and one minute farther away. “The time you spend farther from the anchor is active recovery,” says Brookfield.
Two Rope Exercises You Must Master
1. Battling-Rope Waves
This is the classic battling-rope exercise. “It works each arm independently and keeps your muscles under tension for extended periods,” says Brookfield.
Directions: Hold the ends of the rope at arm’s length in front of your hips with your hands shoulder-width apart. Brace your core and begin alternately raising and lowering each arm explosively. Keep alternating arms for 1 to 20 minutes.
Beginner Battle Rope Workout
2. Battling-Rope Crossovers
Instead of making waves, slam the rope to the ground. “You’ll build more power and hammer your core,” says Brookfield.
Directions: Keep both feet flat on the floor as you move the ends in an arc above your head, lifting them to your left and slamming them down hard to your right. Repeat in the opposite direction. Continue alternating for 1 to 20 minutes.
