THE BENEFITS OF ROTATION IN SUSPENSION BODYWEIGHT TRAINING
CHRIS CAMACHO, MA, CSCS, AND STEVE HESS, MED, MATS
S
uspension bodyweight training has been a part of traditional
calisthenics for many years. Until recently, coaches, trainers,
and performance fitness centers had limited awareness and
understanding of how to implement this training. Products such as
the TRX™ and Jungle Gym™ have helped bring this form of training
to the forefront of the sports performance and fitness industries.
However, many fitness professionals still do not fully understand
the benefits of rotation in suspension bodyweight training.
It has been shown that suspended bodyweight training exercises
can increase core muscle activation compared to similar core
exercises performed on a supported, stable surface (2). Due to the
nature of the exercises/movements that suspended bodyweight
training exercises are performed, they often require full kinetic
chain involvement. It has also been suggested that suspension
training devices can provide improvement in balance, muscle
size, strength, power, and flexibility. Thus, suspension bodyweight
training implements appear to be functional training tools.
COMPARISON
To understand how the inclusion of rotation differs from traditional
suspension bodyweight training, we first have to understand how
suspension bod