By Sarah Caracciolo
DHAC Assistant Fitness Director
If you remember back from some of my earlier instructional TRX blogs, there are certain steps you need to take before starting ANY exercise on the suspension trainer. As always, if you have any restrictions or limitations, always check with your physician prior to starting any new exercise.
To begin, adjust your TRX suspension trainer to short length. Your position will be SF, or Standing Facing the anchor point.
- To start the movement, pull your shoulders down and back and bend your elbows to 45degrees from the body. Walk your feet towards the anchor point until you feel a squeeze in your upper back. Remember, the closer your feet are to the anchor point, the more difficult the move will be.
- To execute the movement, maintain plank position and lower your body down your arms are fully extended.
- To return, pull your body towards the anchor point by driving your elbows back to 45 degrees.
There are two common mistakes with this exercise that you want to be sure to avoid. One is breaking at the hips. You want to be certain you maintain plank position and don’t let your hips sag down. Remember….All core all the time! Second, always be sure that your shoulders are down and back. Don’t scrunch up just to get through the move.
Once you have this down, try stepping your feet a bit closer to the anchor point to increase the degree of difficulty. Remember to earn your progressions and never start too aggressive. Before you know it, you’ll be doing this exercise with your feet entirely under the anchor point! Good luck!