When training in a commercial gym, it’s easy to under-appreciate just how versatile TRX bands are when attached to a weight training rig. You have the freedom of space to perform just about any movement you’d want to do and the overhead setup allows for complete versatility of use.
When setting up TRX at home, however, you might find that they are a little less versatile when you take them out of the gym setting. Finding a location and mounting point at home requires space, a solid anchoring point, and a position that allows you to make use of all your desired exercises.
How to anchor TRX at home? To anchor TRX at home, you should use a dedicated mounting product like the TRX Xmount or i-beam for complete stability and security. Ensure you use a solid mounting point like a wall stud or ceiling beam and if possible, use an open space that won’t restrict your use of exercises.
Anchoring TRX at home can either be a solid permanent solution or a frustrating task that severely limits your choice of exercises. In this article, I’ll cover how to properly anchor TRX at home as well as some secondary solutions for a more temporary setup.
What Is TRX
Suspension training has become one of the most widely used formats for full-body workouts in the fitness world, beloved by trainers, professional athletes, and even the military. Providing countless compound exercises and workouts centered around functional movement, suspension training utilizes gravity and your own body weight and is about as versatile as can be.
Almost any exercise you can think of can be elevated when incorporating suspension training. While minimum equipment is required, it can feel daunting choosing which product to add to your home gym arsenal, but if your budget allows it the TRX (Total Resistance Exercises) suspension system is always a solid investment.
Created by Randy Hetrick, the TRX system was born out of a desire to get a Navy SEAL-level workout anywhere in the world. Versatility is one of the founding principles of this equipment – the options of where to use it in your home gym are countless but that doesn’t mean it’s a straightforward process.
How to Anchor TRX at Home
The beauty of the TRX system is that it can be anchored to just about anything. Inside or outside, the world is your anchor. The question you really need to ask yourself is where in your home is the best place to anchor the TRX and whether or not you need any additional equipment depending on your mounting surface.
How to Anchor TRX Indoors
- Doors – Much like with resistance bands, the doors in your home can provide a built-in anchor point for your TRX workouts, and are definitely one of the most convenient and budget-friendly options available. All you’ll require is a door anchor strap – just make sure the door you anchor the system to is solid and in good condition, and always anchor from the side the door closes – the last thing you want is the door swinging open once the TRX is holding your body weight.
- Walls – Even your walls can provide an anchor point for the TRX system, although for this you’ll need to install a mount on a stud, or a solid concrete wall. Never anchor the TRX to something as flimsy as drywall or plasterboard, or even brick walls. There are multiple options on the market when it comes to mounting your TRX, but the official TRX Xmount (check it out on Amazon here) is probably your best bet. If you’re not confident in the DIY required to safely install this, don’t hesitate to call in someone who is. Safety first!
- Ceilings – Like the wall but better. If you can anchor your TRX to a ceiling stud that will support your bodyweight you’ll be able to utilize the system to its maximum potential. The vertical mounting allows for 360 degrees of movement. When choosing the spot to install the mount, the general guideline is to leave 7-9 feet between the ground and the ceiling, and 3-6 feet from the nearest wall – bear in mind this is subject to your own body so don’t skimp on testing these measurements before installing!
- Beam suspension – If you have any exposed beams in your workout space, investing in an I-Beam mounting will provide all the benefits of a ceiling-mounted TRX without having to drill and bolt anything into your property. Again, make sure you measure that you have enough height from the beam and distance from the wall to get the full range of motion in your exercises and get the most out of your workout.
- Squat rack – Any heavy, secure equipment you have in your home gym can be used to anchor your TRX, but before you go suspending your entire body weight from any equipment make sure there’s zero chance of it falling down onto you during your workout. This means your squat/power rack should either be bolted down or secured in place through other means.
If you find yourself spoiled for choice with a number of options for mounting your TRX inside, you should opt for a ceiling or beam-mounted setup.
Although a door, wall, or any other vertical surface will provide a solid base on which to perform a whole array of full-body workouts, the freedom of movement offered by an overhead setup will make the most of the space in your home gym.
How to Anchor TRX Outdoors
If you’re lucky enough to be able to exercise outside in your own home, there isn’t anything stopping you from incorporating your TRX suspension training into your outdoor setup. The TRX is incredibly lightweight and portable, so you can even make use of it in your local park or on your travels if need be; that’s exactly what it was designed for after all.
You can anchor your TRX to anything that can hold your weight, but examples include:
- Trees
- Jungle gyms
- Goalposts
- Scaffolding
- Fences
This list is far from exhaustive and should serve as inspiration rather than instruction. Just like any of the indoor anchoring options, however, make sure you leave yourself enough space to complete full movements during your exercises.
What Not to Do When Anchoring Your TRX
As you can see, it’s no exaggeration to say that you really can make use of the TRX system just about anywhere. Having said that, try not to fall into the habit of moving your TRX without inspecting wherever you’re planning to use it as an anchor point.
- No matter what mounting product you opt for in your home gym, whether it’s the TRX Xmount, the I-Beam mounting, or a cheaper alternative, make sure you follow the installation instructions carefully. Don’t exceed the weight limit, and always make sure you’re finding a stud in any ceiling or wall that will be sturdy enough to hold your bodyweight.
- Avoid wrapping the strap itself around anything with sharp edges. The TRX is a very worthwhile investment for your home gym, but it isn’t going to last half its usual lifespan if the straps are fraying on edges they don’t need to be anchored on. Invest in a cheaper anchoring strap to avoid damaging your equipment.
Final Thoughts
Anchoring a TRX set at home is not as straightforward as anchoring battle ropes or anchoring resistance bands because TRX could be holding a significant amount of body weight during certain exercises. Therefore, not only do you need to choose a good product to mount TRX but you also need to ensure you are using a solid surface that can support the weight.
For lightweight use, you can make use of doors, power racks, trees, and just about anything that you can loop the TRX around but for any use when you’ll be placing more body weight onto the TRX, you’ll want to anchor it to something more secure like the studs in a wall or beam in a ceiling.
This will provide a solid surface that will hold your weight during use and also offer versatility when it comes to exercise selection (provided you have the necessary space which should be another consideration).
