For any of you that are not familiar with the TRX it is basically a pair of heavy duty straps with a handle and loop at each end, it’s also known as a ‘Suspension Trainer’ due to the fact you anchor or ‘suspend’ it on anything from tree trunks, door frames, walls (using specialist hooks) or from specifically designed TRX frames which allow you to attach the straps directly above you onto what is essentially an adult looking climbing frame.
The Heartcore TRX
The TRX allows you to perform a multitude of core, upper and lower body, functional exercises that can be implemented for use in rehab, mobility, strength, hypertrophy but most commonly used as a back to back circuit of exercises training the upper and lower body in different sequences for time, when you mix them in with some high velocity movements such as jump squats and burpees, you then have the making of a brutal HIIT workout (High Intensity Interval Training), that’s basically what was in store for me at Gok’s Friday morning TRX class at HeartCore in Chelsea.
HeartCore run a variety of classes that utilise Reformer Pilates, Dance, TRX, Kettlebells and Bikes, along with 1-2-1 Personal Training and have 4 studios around London in Fulham(Newest), South Kensington, Notting Hill, Hampstead and Chelsea.
The HeartCore Chelsea studio is situated just off Burnsall St and is next door to the LuLu Lemon Showroom, the uber cool brand from the States that create active wear for girls and boys.
On a side note I’d just like to say that as of writing this, I have now also been to four Reformer Pilates classes at HeartCore and have had my supposedly strong core blown apart with some incredibly humbling workouts and I can feel the positive effects in all areas of my training, everyone should give this style of training a try, it’s intense and will benefit your body in so many ways.
Anyway back to the TRX class, I arrived at HeartCore Chelsea and was greeted by Gok the instructor for the class, great guy very friendly with loads of enthusiasm that certainly lured me into a false sense of security as we ‘geeked off’ about the fitness industry.
I was definitely hoping for a tough workout, as I’m a fan of HIIT style training, as hard and painful as it might be whilst you’re doing it, it pushes you reach into another part of your body and mind that you don’t always reach with less intensive styles of training and you feel epic afterwards, not to mention the massive benefit to your metabolism and body composition.
The workout started with some great tunes being blasted out of the studio speakers to get everyone fired up and we all began to warm up with some steady sets of deep squats, leaning back on the straps and going as low as possible, then moving into some inverted rows for the back.
What happened next was a blur of single leg reverse balance lunges, burpees, jump squats, more burpees, vertical inverted rows, even more burpees, chest presses and you guessed it burpees! I do actually love burpees, they are the great levelling exercise as no matter how fit you are, they have the ability to push everyone to their max.
45 minutes later after many exercises, body parts and gallons of sweat, along with every inch and muscle fibre in my body used and abused, we began a more than welcome cool down and stretch.
Wow what a workout, fun, challenging and intense, I can whole heartedly recommend you take one of Gok’s TRX classes or any of the other classes at Heart Core for that matter, I can guarantee you’ll work with some of the most friendly, inspiring and challenging instructors out there and you’ll be welcomed into the ‘HeartCore Family’ with open arms.
The great thing about working with training protocols that utilise your own body weight is that the same workout can be used just as effectively for beginners or more advanced trainees, as the fitter you are and the more confident you feel, then the harder you push.
For more information about HeartCore classes and locations visit www.weareheartcore.com
Adam is a Personal Trainer/Nutrition Coach and was awarded Gym Based Personal Trainer of the Year 2013, he works with clients both online and 1-2-1 at Lomax PT in Chelsea, London.
He focuses on the Mindset, Lifestyle, Nutrition and Exercise of all his clients for optimum results.
You can find him at:
- Web: http://www.coverfitness.co.uk
- Twitter: @adam_stansbury
- Instagram: @adamstansbury
Leave a Reply