Get Fit

Hang tough: Hot suspension workout builds strength and endurance

Every New Year thousands of Houstonians make a resolution to get in shape, but many might give up quickly when faced with the sheer abundance of workout programs, titled with cute names that are far from self-explanatory. So how do you know which fitness routine is right for you? CultureMap takes the mystery out of some of 2014’s hottest workouts. Our first report: TRX.

What is TRX?

TRX is a form of suspension training that allows exercisers to use their own bodyweight as resistance to build strength and endurance. Many of the individual exercises completed — or at least attempted — during a TRX session are rather basic. Exercises that are central to a TRX routine, like squats, lunges and push ups, you probably first learned to do in junior high gym class.

What makes TRX based conditioning different is the suspension. Adjustable straps, anchored into a wall, ceiling, door, or a steel frame, help to suspend different areas of the body so that gravity works against you, but in a good way.

Hold on to the handles at the end of the straps while doing a squat and suddenly you can go much deeper into the stance or even modify the squat and lean away from the anchor to add an upper body row as you pop up. Place one foot in both handles while doing lunges or both feet while doing a push up or pike and simple exercises become significantly more challenging.

Fitness levels

A TRX program or class can be modified for beginning to advance fitness levels. Most of the the exercises can be intensified or lightened merely by changing the angle of your body.

Motivational origin story to inspire (or guilt) you into moving

While resistance and suspension training are about as old as the push up and rope climb, TRX is packaged for the 21st century with a story that will likely resonate with both the chronic couch potato and devout gym rat. The TRX system was created by a Navy SEAL commander who wished to find a new way to train and stay fit in close quarters with little equipment. He sewed together the very first prototype himself using a jiujitsu belt and parachute webbing.

Where to find it

According to the official website there are no studios in Houston that exclusively focus on TRX, but there are trainers who specialize in the system and gyms that offer classes throughout the city. Many of those classes do require an additional fee on top of membership dues. I took the class at the Tellepsen YMCA downtown.

Hands (and feet)-on experience

What I like the most about the suspension trainer is its versatility and adaptability. Instructors have to attend special seminars to become experts on using the equipment and designing their own classes, but then they are free to use that knowledge to adapt the exercises for the specific needs of students and clients. Creativity does count.

One instructor might design a intense cardio class, another might use the straps to focus on strength training. One of my favorite classes at Tellepsen is a TRX yoga class.

I tried a TRX class for the first time over a year ago, and have easily stuck with a routine because I usually leave a class knowing I’ve gotten a good worked out without it feeling like tedious work. Navy SEAL origins aside, there’s a bit of a playing around on the swing set and monkey bars nostalgia to the exercises that’s simply fun.

unspecified

rock on

Native Houstonian brings Austin-based climbing gym to the East End

Photo courtesy of Crux Climbing Center

One of the many climbing walls at Crux.

Crux Climbing Center, one of Austin's best indoor bouldering and climbing gyms, opened its first Houston location in September and is hosting a grand opening celebration this weekend.

"As a native Houstonian, bringing Crux to the Bayou City has always been a part of the long-term vision," said native Houstonian, CEO, and co-founder Kevin Goradia. "Crux is a community-oriented climbing gym, and our decision to open our first out-of-market location at The Plant was largely inspired by Concept Neighborhood’s plans to create a walkable neighborhood that truly integrates the local community.”

Goradia — the son of Houston petrochemical billionaire Vijay Goradia — co-founded the first Crux in South Austin in 2016 after being dissatisfied with the offerings at other climbing gyms. Crux has almost everything a climber could want, including bouldering, training boards, a spray wall, strength training, fitness and yoga classes, saunas, locker rooms, a Kids Cave, lounge space and a retail shop.

The gym flourished in the post-COVID physical activity boom as more people looked for both exercise and social interaction following the lockdowns. The community aspect of Crux is very important to Goradia. When he was diagnosed with cancer in January 2023, he credits the support he had through the climbing scene in Austin as a major factor in his eventual recovery.

Now, he's bringing that to Houston, a city where indoor-climbing is booming. The exceptional flat city has few natural climbing spots, which would be arduous even if they existed thanks to the heat. Instead, the last twenty years have seen an explosion of massive, indoor facilities like inSPIRE, Momentum, and now Crux.

The grand opening event will take place at the 21,000-square-foot gym space located at The Plant (3100 Canal St.) on Saturday, October 10 from 2-8 pm. This is more than just a few grab bags and a chance to do some climbing. Native Houstonian, CEO, and co-founder, Kevin Goradia is pulling out all the stops with a full vendor fair offering art, jewelry, and vintage items.

The climbing will be a great way to work off the calories from some of the food partners. Cheaters Creamery and Sinfull Bakery will both be handing out treats, and Miguelitos Grill will be serving fresh-off-the-grill quesadillas that can be washed down with beer from St. Arnold's Brewery for the 21-and-up crowd. There will even be free tattoos from 13 Goats.

And, of course, there will be climbing. Throughout the event Crux is offering BOGO deals and raffles. The event itself is free, so this is a great opportunity to get a look at what made Crux stand out in Austin.