I was first introduced to the TRX in 2007 when I was working as an intern at the Canadian Institute of Sport, coaching Olympic speed skaters.
At the time, I thought the TRX was the end-all-be-all for suspension straps. It is an iconic piece of gym equipment that is known for its versatility and the huge amount of workouts and exercises you can do with one.
However, I saw many TRX competitors enter the suspension strap market over the years. The TRX started to be notoriously known for how much they cost, although the raw materials needed to make one are not that expensive.
So I started experimenting with different suspension strap products at my gym to see if the TRX was the best or if other reasonably priced TRX alternatives still had similar quality.
After testing 5 products, I now think you can get a great alternative to the TRX at a much lower cost.
So, what’s the best TRX Alternative?
The best TRX Alternative is the Bodytorc Suspension Trainer Straps. It’s made of durable webbing, which feels extremely sturdy when using it. As well, it comes with several add-on pieces that allow you to anchor it in different ways and perform a variety of exercises.
Below, I’ll cover five suspension straps worthy of being a TRX alternative. Note that not all of them are still available, so I'm only recommending a few below.
But first, I want to discuss whether you should get an alternative or not.
Table of Contents
Should You Get a TRX Alternative?
TRX or Total Resistance Exercise kit used to be the best in class and you couldn’t really beat the quality of their product when it comes to delivering a fast and effective full-body workout with one-piece equipment.
Because of their huge reputation and brand name, TRX could easily charge as much as they do for their products.
And since TRX is mainly concerned with selling their resistance straps and kits in bulk to commercial gyms, training facilities, and the military, their products are not set at a price that is suitable for the individual user anymore, let alone anyone on a relatively limited budget.
For instance, the TRX has 3 products that are available on the market, which are:
- TRX All in One: Designed for those who are looking for an exercise kit to be used indoors in home gyms and outdoors while traveling
- TRX Tactical Gym: A significantly more rugged and improved design for tough use with army green colors to suit military and tactical personnel use.
- TRX PRO3: Developed with more resistance and versatility to suit elite professionals, trainers, as well as Olympic athletes.
As you can see, if you’re willing to buy a TRX product, you should expect to pay a few hundred bucks, although the materials used for the manufacture are nowhere near that.
However, over the years, a lot of competitors have come into the market with products and alternatives that offer similar quality while not being too overpriced due to heavy marketing strategy.
On the other hand, you should keep in mind that there are A LOT of cheap TRX knockoffs whether on Amazon or other stores. These cheap alternatives are extremely low in quality and performance.
Such flimsy products won’t last you a few weeks, you’ll eventually have to replace them, costing you a lot of money in the long run.
The purpose of this article is to show you the products that I’d recommend and believe that they’re the only alternatives to the TRX that are worth mentioning where you won’t be sacrificing quality for the price.
So, to answer the question, while I believe that TRX is way too expensive when compared to its materials, only a handful of TRX alternatives are worth your money, which I’ll be reviewing in the following section.
Here are 3 reasons why you’d want to go for some of the TRX alternatives that I’ve picked:
- They’re significantly more affordable than TRX
- They offer somewhat similar quality and can be used for the same exercises
- They’re a great alternative for beginners who are reluctant about investing in a full-priced TRX kit.
The Best TRX Alternatives Available on the Market
As previously mentioned, not all the alternatives on the market are worth your investment. In fact, a lot of them are just cheap TRX knockoffs that aren’t really cost-efficient as you think.
In the following list, I’ll narrow down your list of choices to TRX alternatives that I believe would provide you with good value and performance for their price.
The best TRX alternatives are:
- Bodytorc Suspension Trainer – Best Overall
- Lifeline Jungle Gym Suspension Trainer System – Most Versatile
- Moulyan Bodyweight Resistance Training Straps – Best Ring Version
- HASfit’s Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer – The DIY Version
1. Bodytorc Suspension Trainer – Best Overall
The Bodytorc Suspension Strap is the overall best alternative to TRX because it’s basically the biggest value for money out there.
This one is made of a blend of high-grade webbing and solid stitching along with, balancing durability and comfort. The Bodytorc Straps are rated to support up to 400 lbs of weight!
What I like about it is that it features an anchor, anodized cam buckles, D buckles, non-slip handles, dynamic foot slings, and adjustable straps like the original stuff.
The design of the suspension trainers makes them usable just about anywhere and compatible with extra add-ons, such as Olympic rings that Crossfitters use in their workouts.
However, the downside is the Olympic rings are sold separately. This isn’t a deal-breaker unless you’re a crossfitter who wants to practice exercises like ring dips.
Pros
- Extremely durable and made from materials similar to the original TRX
- Lightweight and easy to set up anywhere
- Come with a carry bag for easy portability
Cons
- The Olympic rings are sold separately
2. Lifeline Jungle Gym Suspension Trainer System – Most Versatile
If money isn't a problem and you’re looking for the first in class model with all the bells and whistles yet still significantly cheaper than a TRX, this one is your way to go!
Similar to the original TRX, this one is also made of nylon, so it can support hundreds of pounds without snapping.
This kit has all the unique stuff that you get with the TRX, such as a comfortable nonslip handle, smooth in-foot cradle, aesthetic yet functional design.
As for sturdiness, this one is also made of industrial-grade nylon, so you won’t have to worry about durability!
Pros
- Extremely versatile and can be used for all purposes, just like the TRX
- Aesthetically and ergonomically designed handles
- Incredibly durable and made from the same raw materials
Cons
- A bit pricey
3. RitFit Bodyweight Resistance Training Kit
If you want to save as much money as possible while buying a resistance training kit, the RitFit was a great option when it was still available.
I know that the market has several cheaper options like the GoFit Gravity. However, all these ultra-budget options wouldn’t last because they’re made of cheap materials.
The RitFit was simply the most affordable option that I would recommend without sacrificing quality in the process.
Despite the price, this one is also made of durable fabrics that can support your body weight and comes with a lifetime guarantee to ensure a worthy investment.
Pros
- Ideal for buyers on a budget
- Comes with a lifetime guarantee for a risk-free purchase
- Adjustable straps with fairly durable construction
Cons
- Doesn’t come with the mounting parts (sold separately)
3. Moulyan Bodyweight Resistance Training Straps – Best Ring Version
If you’re a crossfitter who wants to do ring dips or practice their ring muscle-ups, you might want to check out the Moulyan Bodyweight Resistance Training Straps.
In terms of similarities with TRX, this one is slightly off because it doesn’t feature a similar handle design as other options do.
Moreover, it lacks the foot cradle setup that the original TRX offers. However, it’s still made of incredibly durable fabrics that can offer up to 1,000 lbs of resistance and support up to 400 lbs of weight.
I also like the portability bonus of the black drawstring mesh bag that allows you to pack the training straps along wherever you go for a quick workout on travel!
Pros
- Excellent choice for crossfitters who prefer ring-style handles
- Offers tons of resistance and supports up to 400 lbs
- Comes with a drawstring mesh bag for portability
- Affordable price
Cons
- Lacks in-foot cradles
4. HASfit’s Homemade TRX Suspension Trainer – The DIY Version
The last option isn’t a product per se, but rather a homemade version that you can build with simple materials.
There are plenty of guides and tutorials out there that will show you how to make one. I like the HASfit version because it’s elaborate and uses simple materials and items. For this project, you need:
- A regular tie down
- 3 pieces of 4 ft rope
- A carabiner
- 2 pieces of 3/4 inch PVC pipes for handles (you can line them with pipe insulator for comfort and slip resistance)
You should make sure that all the materials are rated to your own weight (about 500 lbs would do the trick). However, all the materials mentioned above shouldn’t cost you more than 20 to 25 bucks!
The steps as shown is to:
- Set up the handles
- Run them through the rope, then knot it into a loop
- Repeat for the other handle to create the suspension handles
- Tie the third rope to create the suspension anchor
- Connect them together using the carabiner
- Attach the suspension straps to something sturdy just like the TRX
As you can see, there are plenty of materials and work to be done here. So, for the headache, you might as well buy the budget-friendly version already recommended, but still a great option for people who are very price-sensitive or like DIY projects.
Pros
- Can be a viable option for someone who’s ultra budget-conscious
- Fun and simple project for DIY enthusiasts
- Allows you to control the elements and materials of the suspension training straps
Cons
- Needs some time and effort to achieve
Main Features: What To Look For With A TRX Alternative
There are plenty of reasons why not many TRX alternatives would actually work.
In this section, I’ll walk you through the criteria and aspects by which you should analyze a product and see whether it’s a worthy alternative to the costly TRX:
Materials Used
One of the main reasons why TRX justifies being so expensive is the quality of the materials they use in their resistance straps.
Take the TRX All in One for example, which is made from nylon fabric, the same stuff used for strap tie-downs in cargo trucks, so they’re very sturdy.
Always make sure that the TRX alternative you’re buying is made from nylon or similar materials that offer a similar level of structural ruggedness.
Body Support
If you’re planning to buy a good TRX alternative that will last a long time without fraying, you should keep an eye on the materials used in the straps and how much they can hold up to intense use and heavyweight without snapping.
TRX is originally designed to support as much as the entire weight of whoever is using them. As a rule of thumb, the suspension straps that you’re buying as alternatives should be able to support at least 1.5 times your body weight.
Ease of Installation
The ease of installation is one of the keys many TRX straps have been sold over the years. You don’t need advanced DIY skills or spending the whole day trying to figure out how to set the suspension straps up before using them.
Of course, the ease of installation on its own isn’t a reason to buy or avoid a product. You can always seek the help of a professional to install it permanently in your home gym or you might be a DIY enthusiast who doesn’t mind such a challenge.
However, the ease of installation is a great bonus that adds value to your investment and allows you to take your kit wherever you go, which is why a good alternative must have it.
Versatility
Resistance straps aren’t exclusive to a specific type of gym-goers. In fact, a huge variety of athletes would benefit greatly from the kind of exercises you can do with them.
For that reason, when I pick products to recommend, I always try to make sure that one of them is versatile enough to include those who practice different forms of workouts.
Since one of the unique aspects of TRX is versatility, you should make sure that the alternative is providing you with a similar level of flexibility to do different things.
Handles Quality
The handles are one of the key parts of a suspension strap system like the TRX. That's why you should give extra attention to their quality if you’re seeking comfort.
For starters, you should make sure that the handles are made of a slip-resistant material to avoid falling accidents due to sweaty hands. The design of the handles should also be built for comfort and integration.
Another handle-related aspect that you should keep in mind while choosing is the overall style. TRX offers d shaped rubber handles.
However, if you’re a crossfitter who practices ring dips, you might want to go for a ring-style handle. In the end, it’s a matter of personal preference.
Pros & Cons of Getting a TRX Alternative vs TRX
Of course, nothing beats the original quality of TRX. However, there are plenty of benefits when opting for an alternative. Here is a quick look at the main advantages and drawbacks of these alternatives:
Pros
- Alternatives would save you a lot of money to buy other equipment
- High-quality alternatives would provide you with somewhat similar quality when it comes to materials
- You can do almost the same exercise with premium TRX alternatives
Cons
- It’s not easy to find a suitable TRX alternative with all the cheap knockoffs everywhere (which is why I pointed out the few that brings real quality)
- Some TRX alternatives may not last as long as the original TRX
Workouts You Can Do With Your TRX Alternative
The vast versatility and flexibility of TRX resistance straps make them ideal for a huge variety of workouts.
Luckily, the best TRX alternatives on the market are built in a similar design and materials, so they’re capable of pulling off the same kind of workouts, such as:
- Planks
- Low row
- Pullups
- Single-arm row
- Upright rows
- Dips
Frequently Asked Questions
Will A TRX or Suspension Strap Ruin Your Doors?
A lot of people are concerned about using TRX or Suspension straps on their doors for the fear that the anchors might ruin or damage them.
However, based on feedback by a lot of TRX kit users, there are almost no incidents of damage happening from the door mounts as long as you’ve got the installation part right.
As for the weight limit, you shouldn’t also worry about it, as TRX suspension straps have a maximum weight limit of several hundred pounds.
Where Can You Anchor Your TRX or Suspension Strap?
TRX is designed to fit over various surfaces and I’ve seen people anchoring it from all sorts of places, such as ceiling, doors, or even on top of a tree.
However, for the optimum results, you’ll need to hang the TRX to a strong point that is 215 to 275 cm (7 to 9 feet) above the ground and capable of supporting your weight.
You can also attach the TRX to the door by using the TRX Door Anchor attachment and provide sturdy support.
How Do You Hang TRX or Suspension Straps From Your Ceiling?
The method for hanging the TRX or Suspension Strap kit depends mainly on the surface you’re installing it on.
For example, to set a TRX on a ceiling, you’ll need to clip a carabiner on the main frame of the TRX kit to the bottom anchor loop of the suspension anchor. On the TRX, that’s the part just below the black TRX badge.
Attaching the straps from the ceiling may require basic power tools skills, so if you’ve never used a stud finder or a drill before, there’s no shame in seeking professional help to make sure the job is done correctly.
Wrap Up
If you can only get one piece of training equipment for your home gym. It should be a suspension strap like the TRX or TRX alternatives. This one is going to be the biggest bang for your buck, as you can technically do a ton of exercises with this single tool.
As you can see, a good TRX alternative gives you almost the same performance as the original stuff without breaking the bank!
That’s why I believe that the Bodytorc Suspension Trainer Straps is the overall best TRX alternative out there for the balance between the price and quality.
However, if you want a TRX alternative that gives all the additional features despite costing you a little bit more, you might want to check my best versatile option – the Lifeline Jungle Gym Suspension Trainer System.
