Chances are, if you’ve taken a class with us here, you’ve performed TRX Mountain Climbers! But how do we make sure we’re maximizing the benefits of this movement?

Do: Take your time and remember that we are trying to strengthen the core by contracting and measuring work under controlled time. There 100% are moments in which you will perform a mountain climber as a calisthenic exercise choice and move quickly. However, often with suspended core movements, you want to think about the total amount of “time under tension” or slow controlled contractions as our measure of success.

Don’t: Move so quickly that you lose tension on the straps and have a “sawing” effect at your anchor, we always want equal pressure. Be mindful of where you establish your hands on the ground relative to the anchor. In ground-based movements, the farther away from your anchor you place yourself, the more intense the demand will be. Be mindful that when choosing your distance, it’s not so difficult that you’re not adequately driving your thigh towards your chest. The relationship of your knee to your hip should be the same as if you were standing tall and driving your knee up. Never sacrifice Range of Motion (ROM) for the sake of intensity.