So, I did what every trainer tells you. I left my comfort zone of doing the same workout, same time and same old rut.
My workouts had become stale and I hadn’t felt a bead of sweat in a while.
I knew it was time for a change.
I had missed a week of free trial sessions on offer at Fit-Hub Gym for their TRX & Kettlebell Iron Circuit Conditioning classes. Fate?
I also assumed it was geared towards an elite athlete rather than someone who tends to be more casual in their training. Let’s face it, it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.
When you google TRX (total resistance exercise) it says that a former Navy Seal developed this training. That’s enough information to send me back to my comfort zone.
Instead, I joined a busy morning class, hoping to blend into the background.
TRX suspension training uses your body weight for resistance. Suspension bands are hung from a stable frame that users can work against their own body weight to target the core, increase strength and flexibility.
By adjusting body position, the level of difficulty of a particular exercise changes making it appropriate for people at all fitness levels.
To me, it just looked a lot like circus skills.
We did a warm-up of squats, lunges and stuff that is happily a distant memory while two instructors looked along the line checking technique and form; two instructors!
After more warm up exercises on the suspension bands, we were ready to start the circuits.
With options for beginner or advanced levels or a mix of both, the circuits included kettlebell swings, planks, leg raises, TRX rows, burpees, kettlebell squat and press.
To do a TRX row you hold one handle in each hand and walk your feet forward and lean backward.
At this position, engage your upper back and core to pull yourself up.
I was a bit wobbly and needed to focus on getting the right tension.
It was a very controlled and contained series of circuits. There was no mad flailing around and throwing yourself into the next exercise just to move on. Yep, I’ve done that.
Technique was checked at each station and, thankfully, we were told “take a break if you need to, it’s not a competition”.
We finished the class with a cool down using the TRX.
It is daunting walking into a new gym, a different class and wondering if you’ll make it out in one piece. I don’t think I’d ever reach the comfort zone stage with this training but I’ll give it a go.
Fit-Hub Gym at Pinehill Business Park, Mountain Top, Letterkenny offer TRX & Kettlebell Iron Circuit Conditioning classes running for 4 week blocks at a time, 3 classes per week @ €60 per month, Monday Wednesday & Friday 6am, 10am & 7pm. Pay as you go classes are €6.
Brenda O’Neill
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