MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Sweat dripped from his brow as the young Marine strained to complete his third set of atomic pushups on the Total Body Resistance Exercise system.
The TRX is a functional training system that uses one’s own body weight to increase strength and endurance, said Greg Canby, a Semper Fit personal trainer aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Canby said the TRX helps Marines of all different fitness levels, improving their annual scores on the physical fitness test and combat fitness test.
The system exercises and builds every muscle group, but primarily builds someone’s core, said Canby. The TRX forces the user to maintain a tight core in almost every exercise which helps to strengthen abs, obliques and the lower back along with all the other muscle groups.
Capt. Jeffery T. Lee, operations officer for 2nd Tank Battalion, said the TRX is a great core workout, because it allows him to support either his upper or lower body, which allows him to have more exercise options.
Because it is easily transportable, once a service member learns the TRX correctly, they have a workout system accessible anywhere, said Canby.
“The entire TRX can fit inside of an MRE pouch and weighs about the same as an MRE,” said Lee. “It can fit into anyone’s gear without adding too much weight. Since it can attach to anything that can support your body weight it makes it easy to carry and easy to use.”
The Area 201 Fitness Center aboard MCB Camp Lejeune hosts a free TRX group circuit class Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For more information on TRX or other Semper Fit programs, contact the Area 201 Fitness Center at 451-8209 or mccslejeune.com/groupexcercise.