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Best Suspension Trainers

Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
TRX Pro 3 Suspension Training Kit
TRX
Pro3 Suspension Training Kit
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

Durable suspension training kit intended for extended use over time; our fitness expert says TRX is the industry leader.

Pros

Versatile collection of exercise gear that works well for beginners and expert users. The workout guide helps beginners get started. Sturdy straps and anchors included. Rubber handles provide a sturdy grip. Access to support and tips through the TRX mobile application.

Cons

Does not include a wall ceiling bracket, so the range of possible exercises might be diminished.

Best Bang for the Buck
Lifeline Jungle Gym Suspension Trainer
Lifeline
Jungle Gym Suspension Trainer
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Best for Rehabilitation
Bottom Line

Our expert likes the split anchor design and recommends this for the home gym user.

Pros

Design lets you create wider angles for greater resistance. Facilitates more nuanced workouts by allowing the use of multiple muscle groups. Low-impact resistance settings are great for muscle rehabilitation. Excellent option for elderly and prenatal clients.

Cons

Straps may stretch after a while and need to be reinforced with clips.

TRX All-in-One Suspension Trainer
TRX
All-in-One Suspension Trainer
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Includes a full set of suspension trainer equipment; our expert likes the versatility.

Pros

Straightforward assembly. Includes a suspension anchor, door anchor, and a 35-page workout guide along with the training straps. Nice kit for beginners, with plenty of features for enthusiasts. Easy-adjust straps adapt to large and small users. Versatile use for groups.

Cons

Neither ceiling nor wall mount included. Foam-coated handles rather than rubber.

Bodytorc Suspension Trainer
Bodytorc
Suspension Trainer
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

Portable suspension trainers made of high-quality materials with an ergonomic design that makes them more comfortable to use.

Pros

These suspension trainers are designed for advanced users and have detachable handles so you can customize your workouts with different attachments such as Olympic rings, ropes, and bars. The v-shape allows them to remain vertical if attached to a chin-up bar.

Cons

It has an Allen key locking carabiner instead of a twist lock.

Keafols Bodyweight Fitness Resistance Kit
Keafols
Bodyweight Fitness Resistance Kit
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

Durable and versatile suspension trainers maintain high-level tension and offer elite workout performance.

Pros

These trainers have adjustable connectors for consistent tension during various exercises, including stretching and strength building. The kit comes with 2 resistance bands, a door anchor, 2 handle straps, 2 foot cradles, and a mesh bag.

Cons

Some users find it challenging to adjust the straps.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

First Reviewed
September 23, 2021
30
Models
considered
8
Hours
researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best suspension trainers

Written by Allen Foster, and fact-checked by Judd Nesmith
Updated January 2023

From time to time, even the most dedicated individual can lose steam. Luckily, stoking the engine usually only requires shaking things up a bit by adding some variety, increasing the difficulty level, or changing the scenery. When it comes to working out, all of that can be accomplished by incorporating a suspension trainer into your exercise regimen.

Suspension trainers were developed to help U.S. Navy SEALs stay in peak condition in any environment. The best models are adaptable to your needs and strong enough to easily support your full body weight. Additionally, suspension trainers must be durable and have nonslip buckles to be safe.

If you'd like to learn how a suspension trainer can help you unlock your body's full potential, keep reading. If you’re already committed to leveling up your workout routine, consider one of the top-quality products that we've listed in this article.

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Suspension training targets a wider variety of muscles than other methods, providing a greater overall benefit for your body.

Key considerations

When it comes to finding a suspension trainer that’s right for you, the first decision to make is if you want to go with the market leader. The brand with the best reputation also happens to be the company that invented suspension training. TRX (Total Resistance eXercise) was first marketed in 2005 by Randy Hetrick, a former U.S. Navy SEAL. When he was deployed, he didn't have the same resources that were available back at his command post. As a result, he created this method of training, which quickly caught on and can now be found in homes and gyms alike.

TRX suspension trainers and units from other manufacturers may have many of the same features (which we cover below), but choosing TRX is like purchasing Coke or Pepsi instead of a store brand soda. In other words, many athletes prefer TRX. Their decision is based along the lines of "It feels like a better-made product" rather than pointing out a specific feature that is unique to TRX. That being said, TRX suspension trainers tend to have a higher price tag than other trainers, so if you choose the market leader, you’ll be paying extra for the quality associated with the respected name.

Expert TIp
For those who lift weights for fitness, using a suspension trainer for bodyweight exercises is often a great way to promote recovery while still building muscle and strength.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Suspension trainer features

No matter which brand you end up choosing, consider the following list of features to make sure you purchase a suspension trainer that is appropriate for your needs.

Weight capacity

First and foremost, your suspension trainer needs to have a maximum weight capacity that easily accommodates your full body weight.

Mounting

Most suspension trainers are designed to be mobile so you can take them with you and work out wherever you are. These models can be fastened to a door, wrapped around a horizontal bar, or even wrapped around a tree limb. Alternatively, some suspension trainers come with a mount that can be permanently installed on the wall or ceiling.

Anchor points

A suspension trainer with a single anchor point is much easier to install, but since both handles are attached to a central location, it can limit the types of exercises you can perform. A suspension trainer with individual anchor points, one for each strap, requires a little more finessing to set up, but it’s fully customizable and allows you to include exercises such as dips and pull-ups in your workout.

Extension straps

If you need to mount your suspension trainer at a higher point, you will need an extension strap or two, depending on if you have a single anchor point or two.

Materials

Your suspension trainer should be manufactured using durable nylon for the straps and metal for the nonslip buckles. The best models feature carabiners to allow you to quickly secure the apparatus. The handles should be comfortable and easy to grip and have integrated foot loops so you can more easily perform a wider variety of exercises. Also, if you plan on exercising outdoors, be sure the suspension trainer that you’re considering is manufactured to handle more extreme conditions without slipping or failing.

Expert Tip
If you are stressed for time, try using a suspension trainer to perform a four-exercise circuit of single-leg squats, pushups, hip bridges, and inverted rows. These will cover all the major muscle groups in about 20 minutes.
BestReviews Fitness Expert

Portability

If you’ll be traveling with your suspension trainer, you want it to be lightweight and easy to set up. If it comes with a travel bag, that's even better.

Workout guide

In the grand scheme of fitness, the suspension trainer is a relatively new piece of workout equipment. Because of this, individuals are still making modifications and coming up with new exercises; so many, in fact, that some sources boast there are over 300 different exercises that you can perform with a suspension trainer. Even if that number is an exaggeration, you're going to want a workout guide, DVD, app, or website link that outlines the multitude of possibilities you'll have with your new gear.

Suspension trainer prices

Inexpensive

Suspension trainers have a broad price range, but you can get an entry-level model with a travel bag but no mounting equipment for as little as $30.

Mid-range

The $40 to $60 range is where you’ll find the most value. These units are versatile. They come with instructions, mounting equipment, at least one extension strap, and some even have bonus resistance bands.

Expensive

If you want the name brand, a product manufactured by the originator, you will have to pay more. TRX suspension trainers range from $100 to $200 depending on the accessories bundle you choose.

Exercise tips for suspension trainers

Besides enabling innovative workouts that challenge the body in new and unfamiliar ways, suspension trainers can elevate tried-and-true exercises into something remarkably intense. The benefit here is that there is no learning curve; you can jump right in and feel comfortable from the first set. The following are a few familiar exercises that can be significantly amped up by incorporating a suspension trainer.

  • Mountain climbers: Support yourself with your arms, put your feet in the foot loops and get climbing.

  • Planks: If you thought it was difficult holding a plank on a stable surface, wait until you try holding a plank using a suspension trainer.

  • Push-ups: Whether you prefer holding the handles in your hands or slipping your feet carefully into place so they’re supported, suspension trainers can make push-ups hard again.

  • Single-leg lunge: Slip one foot into a strap and do a forward lunge. Note: You may want to use a spotter in case you lose your balance while performing this exercise.

  • Single-leg squats: If regular squats are too easy, try them while balancing on one leg.

  • Sit-ups (curls): While lying on your back and holding the handles, execute a sit-up by lifting your chest up to your fists using your arms (like a curl).

  • Squats: While tilting slightly back, you can lower yourself into the perfect squat position using your suspension trainer.
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Expert Tip
One of the best abdominal exercises is the body saw movement using a suspension trainer. To perform this exercise, position your body in a forearm plank with your feet in the suspension trainers’ foot cradles and perform a sawing motion with your body for 30 seconds.
BestReviews Fitness Expert
Content Image
Because it doesn't isolate muscles, using a suspension trainer gives you the strength, coordination, and ability to better accomplish real-world activities.

FAQ

Q. What are the benefits of incorporating suspension training into my workout?

A. Using a suspension trainer hits all the workout bullet points. Suspension training builds strength, develops your core, increases balance and coordination, burns fat, gets your heart pounding, enhances your flexibility and range of motion, and intensifies exercises that are no longer challenging enough for you. Plus, it’s low-impact and completely portable.

Q. Is suspension training safe?

A. There are a few factors that you’ll want to keep in mind when it comes to safely using a suspension trainer. The unit must be installed securely (according to the instructions), rated to support your full body weight (and then some), and inspected for signs of wear or damage before each use. Additionally, make sure you have a secure grip (no sweaty or greasy hands). As long as you don’t push yourself beyond what your body can handle (consult with your doctor first), you can begin your new exercise regimen with confidence.

Q. My body weight doesn't change. How do I make an exercise harder?

A. Adjusting the angle of your body is how you increase difficulty. In other words, if you perform a push-up while standing nearly vertical, you will barely be exerting yourself. However, if you drop down into a horizontal position, the exercise may be too difficult for you to complete even a single push-up.

Q. Suspension training looks like a tough workout. Is it appropriate for a beginner?

A. Suspension training can be extremely difficult — it was invented to keep U.S. Navy SEALs in peak condition, after all. However, by adjusting the angle of your body, you can decrease the difficulty level to beginner for many exercises.

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