Suspension training makes perfect sense when it comes to working your midsection. First, the common wisdom. A set of TRX straps is a portable piece of equipment you can easily hook over the door of your hotel room or hang on the limb of a tree. No matter what muscle group you’re targeting with suspension training, you’re also putting forth effort to stabilize your frame, which translates to one hell of a work- out for your core.
There’s more to it than all this, though. The key concept here is creativity—the notion that the best kind of training involves coming up with different exercises that work best for you. The following group of unique moves, done circuit-style once or twice per week, will accelerate your core training like nothing you’ve ever tried before.
THE WORKOUT
Perform each exercise for 30 to 60 seconds straight, with minimal or no rest between moves. Complete five rounds as quickly as possible, main- taining discipline with your form.
EXERCISE
1. Plank
2. Plank Knees to Elbows
3. Standing One-leg/ One-hand Contraction
4. Starters
PLANK KNEES TO ELBOWS
In a push-up position with your ankles in the stirrups, bring your right knee to your right elbow and then your left knee to your left elbow. In subsequent reps, work your knees toward the inside and bring them to your opposite elbows.
STANDING ONE-LEG/ONE-HAND CONTRACTION
While leaning into the TRX with one hand, reach up with your hand, then down and back with your foot, then bring your opposite knee up and pull your hand down.
STARTERS
Move explosively here. Assume a push-up position with one foot in a stirrup and the knee of your other leg tucked into your chest. Rapidly pull your other knee into your chest, then repeat.
