Both myself and other 10th Group soldiers have used the TRX system as it was integrated into the Tactical Athlete program with great success. It achieves maximum results.

 Always good to hear. What would you say are the most effective things about using the TRX?

Chris,

 I have used the TRX for quite some time now, both during my time at the NSCA HQs while under the mentorship of its professional staff, and as a former member of 10th Group.  In my current assignment, SF Recruiting, I am still using the both the TRX and the Tactical Athlete program, and am constantly promoting it to potential SFAS candidates when they come to our briefs.

The answer to your question requires more than a simple response.  Soldiers are required to be the best all around athletes on the planet; moreover, Special Operations soldiers take this a huge step further, and in conditions that are far from ideal. The TRX fills the void when it comes to finding an exercise tool that can be used almost anywhere and anytime, is compact and easily tossed into someone's kit while taking little to no space with little weight, and finally, what I consider to be one of the most important aspects, is that it trains "relative strength" vs "absolute strength" (this is not to say that cardio is left out...we all know how anaerobically intense the TRX can be if used correctly).  

 The Relative vs Absolute Strength issue is seen everywhere in the many gyms and workout facilities in the U.S. Army.  Many soldiers are simply ignorant of the relative strength issue of being able to move their bodyweight through the sagittal, frontal, and tranverse planes over the course of an unspecified time. Soldiers attempt to bulk up and try to bench press the house utlizing the latest bodybuilding routine that they picked up from the local PX, and it quickly becomes apparent how relatively weak they are when they try the TRX.  While absolute strength is necessary, I believe that relative strength is of greater importance when conducting combat missions, and the TRX is an excellent tool to train for it.

Keep up the great work and above all, thank you for putting together such a great product.....

 Respectfully,

 Husker 

 

Husker,

Thanks for your insightful message. I could not agree more on the
point of relative vs. absolute strength. When it comes to performance
parameters relative strength trumps "barbell" strength almost every
time. Some people (including me) use the term "strength deficit" to
describe the difference. If someone can bench one and a half or two
times their body weight but cannot perform well using the TRX in more
challenging movements, or even push-ups we call that a strength
deficit. They have the muscular strength but not the ability to use it
functionally. This is often due to coordination, balance and/or
muscular imbalances. One of the tremendous benefits of Suspension
Training is the way it trains functional strength qualities and
reduces the strength deficit.

You obviously "get it" from a TRX training perspective. I am always
eager to learn how things are going with TRX training and any ideas
and exercises users come up with. Please feel free to contact me with
suggestions, exercise or programming ideas or any questions.

Thanks again for your time in responding.

We wish you continued success!

Franko