TRX vs. ActivCore

First let's discuss how these two very similar systems describe themselves.

TRX is described as:

" Suspension training"

 "a revolutionary method of leveraged body weight system"

"Safely perform hundreds of exercises that build power, strength, flexibility, balance, mobility, and prevent injuries, all at the intensity you choose." 

ActivCore is described as:

"Functional exercise"

"facilitates strength development, balance enhancement and improved coordination all of which improve movements of daily living, injury prevention and performance enhancement."

"Comprehensive knowledge of physical medicine and exercise science underlies the Redcord solution, which utilizes these five principles: controlled instability, functional exercise,  pain free positioning of movements, precise control of exercise intensity, and freedom of movement in all planes."

I took a group class on both the TRX and ActivCore at local studios. Here is what I found. TRX class was very upbeat, energetic, and cardio infused. It included lots of lunges and exercises similar to what gym equipment provides with the added instability of the straps using your own body weight. It allows for movements in all planes and has both handles and straps as one with the unit. Each side of the strap is adjustable with a riser in the center to check for balanced movement. Both straps are attached at one center point that is then anchored. ActivCore was much more of a mind/body class. Functional movement in sets of 4x4 or 6x4 with rests built in to help trigger neurological/muscle activation connection. These movements were more Pilates and Physical Therapy like. Each strap is attached to a separate anchor, which allows for more instability in an asymmetrical way. The straps, handles and slings can be removed and added for different exercises.  Think the difference of doing Hundreds on the Reformer, where the springs are attached to the carriage underneath versus doing Hundreds on the Cadillac with arms in the springs, where each arm is responsible for the movement/stability of each spring. Imbalances are easier to see and work on at the Cadillac, where on the Reformer a stronger side can dominate and cheat for a weaker side.

I thoroughly enjoyed both classes and feel that I was able to make some new connections of movement. Personally, I feel the ActivCore is a better fit for myself and my clients given my focus on Pilates, rehabilitation, and mind/body styles of exercise. TRX I felt is more geared towards a gym clientele mentality as was developed by Navy Seals. Regardless of whether you chose to try ActivCore, TRX, or both I am confident that you will get a great workout. I know I sure did.

If you have used either TRX, ActivCore or both would love your thoughts on the two sytems. Please post your comments below.

On The Ball

The resistance ball is a fabulous piece of apparatus that is fairly affordable and doesn't take up a lot of space. Adding a resistance ball to your Pilates exercises will add a sense of balance and instability to kick up the intensity of your Matwork.  It can also be used to mimic many of the exercises on the Reformer, Cadillac, or chair.

When picking a resistance ball, the size of the ball will be dependent on your height and leg length. The best way to know is to sit on the ball like sitting in a chair. Your knees should line up with your hips with your feet placed firmly on the floor. If the angle is greater the ball is too big, and smaller the ball is too big. I am 5'2" and use a 55cm ball. Also be sure to fill the ball to firmness.

Here are a few of my favorites on the Resistance ball to add to your workout. For more workouts like these be sure to visit and subscribe to piLALAtes YouTube channel.

The Yoga/Pilates Relationship

This weekend I had an interesting experience. I had to teach a very small segment of Pilates to a room of Yoga Teachers. Now I am an avid yogi myself so am very familiar with yoga poses and principles. I would venture to say that while many of these Yoga Teachers had heard of Pilates, they had never tried it.

I learned a lot from them while teaching this very abbreviated class. While I do believe that Yoga teaches you how to listen to your body, Pilates teaches you how to talk to your body. These instructors struggled to control and focus in on releasing and activating certain muscles as well as move bones in space. Which now makes sense why my yoga instructors have always complimented me on how well I make self adjustments and move subtly within a posture. And don’t get me started on Core...I lead them through the matwork Abdominal Series of Five and they were dying. They were unable to really stabilize the pelvis and shoulder blades and focus on deepening the core. I find sun salutations in Yoga to be an amazing core exercise, as well as vinyasas. So how is it that these ideas are not getting passed along?

I highly recommend Yoga to my students and believe that the two philosophies lend well to one another. Yoga allows one to quiet the mind, dive deeper, flow freer, open up. Pilates awakens the mind, dives deeper to allow you to focus and use the body in the most precise and controlled ways. These two philosophies both stand alone well on their own. The balance of the two is integral, I believe, to a healthy relationship with the human body. Isn’t every relationship about give and take, listening and speaking from the heart, knowing when to hold on and when to let go, strength and flexibility?

I think it’s time to work on the yin and yang of the Yoga and Pilates relationship. The benefits are immeasurable.