Help - I am a Grandma in mid 60's and saw an article on the TRX. Gardening is my life but I need to build back my strength and stamina. Am I too old to use the TRX? Where do you recommend that I start? and is there a weight limit to use this?

I remember the inventor of the TRX saying his grandmother uses it when he was on Fox News. There's no upper age limit, but as always you should consult your physician before starting an exercise program for the first time, and not dive in too deep to start. Because the TRX is not a weight machine, and only uses a percentage of body weight (from 1% to 100%) it is suitable for people of almost all fitness levels.

You have not said too much about yourself so I don't know what condition you are in other than your are physically active, I doubt the military fitness program would be suitable, but I have no idea what you are capable of so it could be the best for you.

To find out where to start i'd advise you to look through the DVDs and Guides on the page linked bellow. There are videos of the exercises contained in each, so you can see what you think would be most suitable. Two good places you could start would be "TRX Biomechanics: Healthy Back" and "All Body Xpress Guide & DVD".
 http://www.fitnessanywhere.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Fitness-Guides-Programs

Then look for the bundle most suitable for you on this page. Such as the "TRX Professional" or "TRX Home Training Bundle"
http://www.fitnessanywhere.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=PB

The TRX is tested to over 1500 lbs, so even that guy in mexico who is the worlds heaviest man could use it. You will just need to make sure you have an anchor point that can support your full weight. You could use the "TRX X-mount" bolted through a strong support beam on either your ceiling or wall. If one of your children is good at DIY you could enlist their aid in setting it up.

Hope this helps you make a decision.
Max

Grandma Moses

Thanks for your post. You are absolutely not too old to use the TRX! While the TRX is effective for athletes at the highest level of competition, it is easily scaled back to suit any fitness level. My father is almost 80 years old, uses the TRX daily and continues to play tennis as often as 4 times per week!

Gardening requires lots of bending, squatting, lunging, reaching and lifting. All of these require a good base of functional strength for which the TRX is perfect. You will be able to make many of these actions easier by using the TRX to unload them and then as you get stronger you will be able to explore some of the more advanced progressions as well as increase your overall strength and flexibility.

In the next 2 weeks we will be releasing two new DVD's titled essential strength and essential flexibility. These will be a perfect place for you to start as they feature basic functional movements that are easily adapted to suit any fitness level. 

Good luck!

Hello Grandma, A woman after my own heart! I'm a new TRX user, in my early 60s and always looking for someone my age who's on the same page. I'm just getting start with the TRX myself so I'll be following the replies to your posting. ss

Dear Grandma Moses-

I am a personal trainer and Master TRX instructor.  You are NEVER too old to use the TRX. My 72 year old male and his 65 year old wife use it 3 days a week with me.  My 9 year old client also uses it on a weekly basis. That is just one of the wonderful things about the TRX, anyone can use it, anywhere, anytime. 

I would recommend starting with the basics, really getting comfortable on the TRX and then trying more intense workouts as  you build your strength, stamina and balance, your gardening and your garden will never know what happened! 

 Yours in health,

Neil Mallinson CSCS
www.neilmallinsontraining.com