build your own TRX?

[Yael Grauer]

Just wondering if anybody's done it and if it's worth doing rather than dishing out $200 or whatever it is. And if you've made one how does it compare to the real deal.

[Blair Lowe]

Look for one on ebay. A year or two ago, a guy made his own and was selling it for 30-40 dollars. It was a big hoopla on the CF forums.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Elite-Freestyle-Gymnastics-Trainer-Footstrap-TRX-/120618044710?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1565 4d26#ht_2335wt_762

[Yael Grauer]

Good find!

To be honest, looking at the TRX site I was confused about what you needed and which package came with what and everything. It seems expensive for what is essentially a strap.

[Gary Ohm]

Originally Posted by Blair Lowe

Look for one on ebay. A year or two ago, a guy made his own and was selling it for 30-40 dollars. It was a big hoopla on the CF forums.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Elite-Freestyle-Gymnastics-Trainer-Footstrap-TRX-/120618044710?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c1565 4d26#ht_2335wt_762

I really like the look of this ^^ thing. Especially with the quick release and measured strap. Though I've really become fond of the feel of rings.

I guess I'm a ring snob..

I'm not entirely sold on the necessity of being able to put your feet in the straps. It seems to me that using your hands on the rings is close enough to an ab wheel rollout until you can actually get the rollout.

I don't mean to come across as too much of a purist, I also use Metolius rock rings quite frequently.

[Yael Grauer]

Really like being able to put my feet in them for things like hip bridges; makes it easier to drive into the heels for one and also playing with height/position.

[Craig Brown]

I bought one of the Freestyle Trainers that Tyler makes at ringtraining. Very different in attachment and price...

http://ringtraining.com/shop/freestyle-trainer.html

Wouldn't be so great for travel, but hooks up nuicely to a power rack or chin bar.

Craig

[Yael Grauer]

Blair, how does the link you posted compare to the TRX and this Jungle Gym XT thing? Similarities/differences?

http://www.lifelineusa.com/en/produc...&detail&detail

Craig, I think that's the same one Blair posted the e-bay link to.

[Craig Brown]

Yep it is. My experience is that I like the handles better than the TRX or the Jungle Gym. It's slightly less easy to set up than the TRX (twin straps). I personally prefer the separate straps. I think the length markers alone make it better than the Jungle Gym, much easier to level the straps. The Jungle gym was also weird that the foot straps were on the side of the handle? The XT version looks like it solves this. Some folks will be annoyed that the strap ends just hang on both the Freestyle and the original Jungle Gym.

Craig

[Patrick Donnelly]

Wooden rings are nice. I've made several pairs, for myself, friends, and for sale, and they've all turned out at least decently well. Unfortunately, they aren't very tactical.


If you want instability training for the legs, try a slackrope. Just 40ft of 3/4" manila from Home Depot will do, and it only costs about $40... Add two trees, tie two timber hitches, and you're in business.


(Note: You assume all liability for injuries sustained while trying to walk on a rope. Though it's pretty hard to fall and not land on your feet, as long as the rope is 1-4ft from the ground. But yeah, it's still your decision to try it or not.)

[Yael Grauer]

I made rings once upon a time out of dog chew toys and a strap from Ace Hardware. It was helpful for doing body rows.