Posted on July 03, 2014 by Jenny Cromack

In the current world of fitness and health there are 1 billion gizmos, gadgets and contraptions all claiming to be the ultimate solution to weight loss, building muscle or toning. The truth is most are just gimmicks that are about as effective as a paper umbrella in a hurricane. However the TRX is not in this list. I believe that TRX is more than just an exercise tool it serves as a great tool for stretching, an often overlooked component of health.

Now I’m not one to spend hours stretching, my approach to stretching is one of function. If there is an imbalance that requires a muscle to be stretched it must be stretched, likewise if range of movement is an issue stretching must be completed. This is where the TRX comes into its own, it enables the individual to manipulate and stretch the body in ways that would otherwise be very problematic.

For a great resource into different stretches for the TRX click here

There is a science to stretching, as believe it or not some forms of stretching have been shown to decrease maximal strength and reduce perfromance.

Rules about stretching:

• To maximise flexibility research has shown that completing the protocol 5 hours after training is optimal, not only that but you should utilise 3 different approaches in a specific order PNF first, ballistic second, then static last.
• When Using PNF stretching the pulses should last 6-8 seconds with about 66% of the maximal force put through the muscle
• Never static stretch before a workout, this has been shown to reduce strength during exercises. (Static stretching before a workout has shown to reduce maximal strength by 7-20% in multiple studies)

If you’re struggling with exercise form, squat depth or simply getting back pain motive8 has specialist personal trainers that can help with each specific problem and we are always here to help. Stretching doesn’t have to be a chore and improved range of motion can generally be achieved in as little as 2 weeks of focused work.