Suspension Training

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ibex333

Diamond Member
Mar 26, 2005
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I've been using a suspension trainer made out of lashing straps for two weeks now to build strength for pullups by doing inverse pushups/australian pullups, and I noticed that this is indeed having a wonderful, very noticeable effect.

Off course I do not see any decrease in weight or increase in muscle yet, but strength is already increasing, the number of reps is increasing, etc etc.

I noticed a lot of other positive things about suspension training. It allows doing dips WITHOUT buying expensive dip stands or using dangerous chairs that can tip over. Unfortunately doing suspended dips is SUPER HARD and requires a beast of a man, so I do them with feet on the floor just like I'd be doing them if I was using a chair.

Also, suspension training is great for someone who is too weak to do even one pushup or one pullup (like overweight people and the elderly) and cant even do pushups on the knees or australian pullups. In these cases you can do only 25% of these exercises by standing on the floor and just leaning back or forward a little. In case of pushups you might as well just do them against the wall, but in case of pullups, there is no substitute.

And off course once you get strong enough, suspension training can provide much more challenge than regular bodyweight exercises on the floor.

Suspension trainers like TRX can cost $150+++ but you can make one yourself for very cheap for around $25. Just google DYI suspension trainer or search on you-tube.

But you might not even have to do that. Some people made a business out of making these and sell them as cheap as $20 on amazon now.

Another benefit of suspension training is it doesn't require a lot of space. I suspend my training "apparatus" from my pullup bar and I exercise in a cramped space in the corridor of my parents appt.

And yet another benefit is that if you have a park next to you that doesn't have a descent pullup bar/dip bar or an exercise bench or you dont have a park next to you at all, you can suspend your "apparatus" from virtually anything. A tree, a fence, whatever!

After I build some descent strength, I will make a video and post some pictures.

Do YOU incorporate suspension training in your workout routines? What do you think about it? How far did your progress go? Where are you at now?
 

NAC

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2000
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I love inverted rows (Australian pullups). I basically alternate them every other workout with regular chinups/pullups. I found they are much easier when my heels push against something (the inside of my power rack). Without something to push against, I found I had to reset my feet often, I guess my sneakers would slip against the concrete floor. Sounds weird as I write this, but that is what I recall.

I don't do other suspension work.

Your post reminds me that I want to bring a suspension trainer with me when I go on vacation next week. Didn’t know that is what it was called… to me it was just some rings and a rope.
 

NAC

Golden Member
Dec 30, 2000
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I don’t know if this counts as a suspension exercise or not: I found that chinups and pullups hurt my wrists. So I made some “rings” which I fastened to my pullup bar. Basically – two small pieces of PVC, with a rope through each around the pullup bar and tied in a strong knot. I can hold them at any angle as I do my chinups/pullups. I can also rotate my wrists while in motion. My version of “the perfect pullup”.
 
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