The TRX System, or Total Body Resistance Exercise, is a specific form of suspension trainer first introduced by Randy Hetrick, a former United States Navy SEAL.
Rather than using weights, TRX uses resistance and body weight to help you improve your flexibility and balance while further developing your core stability and overall strength.
Unfortunately, the TRX suspension training system can be rather expensive, with some sets, like the TRX Rip Trainer, coming with a hefty price tag of $189.95 or more.
However, there are much alternative resistance sets that you can purchase that are easier on your wallet and just as effective for your workout.
Please continue reading for our complete buyer’s guide on what you should look for before making a purchase and learn more about your options for the Top 5 Best TRX Alternatives.
Top 5 Best TRX Alternatives
1. GRASEP Home Gym Bodyweight Resistance Training Kit
Price: $69.98 – $95.24
Product Description:
In your choice of yellow, black, khaki, or pink, the GRASEP Home Gym Bodyweight Resistance Trainer Kit is a stylish and affordable alternative to The TRX suspension trainer System.
The GRASEP Home Gym Bodyweight Resistance Trainer Kit uses a four tail anchoring system that allows you to affix the kit to a tree, beam, door, and virtually any fixed object that can securely hold your bodyweight. Furthermore, if you’re not satisfied with your kit, you’re guaranteed a full refund for your purchase.
Special Features:
- Wall mount anchor and installation hardware included in the yellow kit
- Heavy-duty zinc alloy buckles are safety-tested by the manufacturer
- Maximum user capacity of 400 pounds
- Comes with a mesh bag for easy storage and transportation
Pros & Cons:
- Pro: Free shipping and free returns available when your purchase through Amazon
- Pro: Available in multiple colors and different package sizes to match any home gym and budget
- Pro: Comes with an extra piece of multipurpose anchor band with 4 tails
- Con: The wall mount is only available in yellow and has to be purchased separately for the other colored kits
- Con: Some Amazon users reported negative experiences with attempting to contact customer service
- Con: Does not come with assembly instructions, so it helps to be familiar with suspension kits before you buy
2. NOSSK Twin PRO Bodyweight Fitness Strap Trainer (Black)
Price: $47.99
Product Description:
The Twin PRO Bodyweight Fitness Strap Trainer (Black) is a lightweight alternative to the TRX Suspension Trainer System, with the entirety of the kit weighing only 2.39 pounds.
This kit comes equipped with a drawstring bag to protect the equipment, but it has the added benefit of making storage and transport a breeze.
The Twin PRO Bodyweight Fitness Strap Trainer (Black) is made using environmentally friendly practices to accommodate a maximum user capacity of 400 pounds.
Special Features:
- Manufactured in the United States with 1st Grade US Military Webbing
- Narrow or wide strap set-up is designed for use indoors and outdoors
- Limited lifetime warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee
- 100% Latex-free Rubber Sleeve Grips and non-scratching Foot Loop
Pros & Cons:
- Pro: Fast and easy set-up with integrated door anchors and your choice of wide or narrow strap configuration
- Pro: Comes in your choice of black, yellow, pink, or khaki
- Pro: Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 173 reviews on Amazon
- Con: If you want to affix the kit permanently, you’ll have to purchase a wall mount separately
- Con: Purchases made through Amazon are not eligible for returns
- Con: If you live outside the U.S., you’re not eligible for returns or a refund
3. KEAFOLS Bodyweight Fitness Resistance Kit
Price: $56.99 – $92.23
Product Description:
You choose the anchoring style you prefer with the Bodyweight Fitness Resistance Kit from KEAFOLS.
This kit comes equipped with a universal, reinforced non-slip door anchor for indoor workouts and the ability to loop your straps over a fixed, sturdy fixed object like a tree or metal pole for outdoor workouts.
At less than half the cost of a brand-name TRX System, the KEAFOLS Bodyweight Fitness Resistance Kit is a much more affordable alternative.
Special Features:
- Zinc-alloy carabiners and anti-slip foam rubber handles for comfort
- Foot cradle included as its own separate piece from the handles
- Comes with an exercise guide and a drawstring mesh bag for fast transport and easy storage
Pros & Cons:
- Pro: Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon from 239 ratings
- Pro: Comes with 2 extension straps as well as a door anchor
- Pro: Free shipping and free returns offered when you shop through Amazon
- Con: Only available in one color combination, teal and black
- Con: Uses seat belt buckle style locks, which, while effective, are less popular and less sturdy than some of the other locking mechanisms available
- Con: When in use with the door anchor, the buckles tend to hit against the door and have the potential to leave scratches or dents
4. RitFit Bodyweight Resistance Training Kit
Price: $59.99 – $84.45
Product Description:
The Bodyweight Resistance Suspension Training Kit from RitFit comes with adjustable 56-inch to 77-inch long resistance bands and a 38-inch long indexed extension strap that easily attaches and detaches to solid, fixed structures for indoors and outdoors.
You can follow along with RitFit’s workout guide and track your progress as you learn new exercises.
And, when you’ve finished your workout session, you can pack your RitFit Bodyweight Resistance Suspension Training Kit up into its included mesh storage back and take it with you when you’re on the go again.
Special Features:
- Screwgate locking carabiner lets you attach multiple add-ons (hammock, gym rings, and punching bags, for example)
- Strong enough to support a maximum user capacity of up to 400 pounds
- 100% Lifetime Guarantee for quality, 30 Day 100% Money Guarantee
Pros & Cons:
- Pro: Non-Slip rubber handles for a solid grip and comfortable padded foot cradles
- Pro: Also can be purchased with the optional, quick-change grip rings
- Pro: Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 234 ratings on Amazon
- Pro: Free shipping offered through Amazon and the official RitFit website
- Con: It doesn’t come with wall mounts, so if you want a permanent set-up, you’ll have to purchase it separately
- Con: It does not come with instructions on set-up; however, they are available online on the RitFit official website
5. QonQuill Resistance Straps Trainer Bundle
Price: $59.97 – $69.97
Product Description:
Constructed with tough, high-quality nylon straps and rugged zinc alloy carabiners you can trust, the QonQuill Resistance Straps Trainer Bundle is a more than worthy alternative to the TRX System.
This system comes equipped with everything you need to get started right out of the box, so all you have to do is find somewhere anchored to set-up and start working out.
For your comfort, the Qon Quill Resistance Straps Trainer Bundle uses non-slip, lay-flat handles that also double as foot cradles.
Special Features:
- It comes with a free Get Started Guide and exercise book
- QonQull also offers a library of free workout videos on their official YouTube channel to guide you as you workout
- Impressive maximum user capacity supports users up to 500 pounds
Pros & Cons:
- Pro: Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 50 ratings on Amazon
- Pro: Available in basic black and premium black versions
- Pro: 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee for a full refund or replacement
- Pro: Free shipping and free returns when you shop on Amazon
- Con: Unlike some of the other options on this list, it’s only available in black
- Con: Dual strap system employs two anchor points, so if you’re more familiar with the one anchor point set-ups, it may take some time to adjust
What to Look for in TRX Alternatives
Before we can dive into the many TRX alternatives, we must first discuss what you should look for:
1. Anchor Options
The first thing to look for in TRX alternatives is the anchoring options. For most kits, you can expect to see one of several types: door anchors, suspension anchors, and mounted anchors.
The three are mounted anchors most expensive, which are often constructed with metals and are designed to attach permanently to walls, overhead beams, and vertical studs.
Suspension anchors and door anchors are less expensive. However, they’re not permanent fixtures and can be moved depending on where you plan on working out.
Door anchors go directly over a sturdy door in your home and are locked into place when you shut the door.
Suspension anchors are designed similarly to belts and ratchet straps that you use when moving heavy furniture, so you can affix them to virtually anything that can hold your weight.
2. Adjustment Buckles
Adjustment buckles serve as a way to add extra lengths of suspension bands that you can use to safely and securely increase the bands’ size.
The additional length is secured to your band with a lock or a series of locks depending on the product.
Additionally, most TRX alternatives feature an adjustment buckle on the strap that allows you to transition between different suspension exercises without using an entirely different rigging.
Barrel locks, D-rings, and seat belt buckles are the most commonly used mechanisms to secure the straps for adjustment.
3. Foot Cradles
One of the coolest aspects of training with suspension kits, we think, is that you can incorporate a range of different exercises with the use of foot cradles that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to perform (like suspended knee tucks and atomic push-ups, for example).
Foot cradles are exactly what they sound like: straps or handles that serve as cradles for your feet.
When looking at TRX alternatives, pay attention to the system’s shape and style of the foot cradle being employed. More often than not, it’s incorporated into the handgrip set-up as an extra piece of foam or strap.
If you have smaller feet, go for a shorter or adjustable foot cradle to avoid slippage during your workout. Conversely, if you have larger feet, then a larger foot cradle will be more comfortable and safer for you to use.
4. Straps
Finally, the most important component of your TRX alternatives, the straps. Remember that, depending on the exercises, you’re going to be trusting the straps in your system to be able to securely hold as much as the entirety of your body weight. The last thing you want in the middle of your workout is to experience some strap breakage or ripping.
All of the TRX alternatives you’ll be learning about will have a weight capacity listed. To ensure your own safety, you should never use any workout equipment that hasn’t been approved to support your weight.
For straps, the weight capacity is most affected by the material used. So, if the kit uses a tough nylon fabric, it’s more likely to have a higher weight capacity than one that uses a weaker material like polypropylene fabric.
So, Which One Should You Buy?
We’ve covered five alternatives to the famous suspension trainer, TRX System, and each of the individual factors that make every alternative unique.
So, now that you’ve officially known everything that you need to know to make an informed decision, we can come up with a definitive answer.
Currently, the best TRX alternative is the QonQuill Resistance Straps Trainer Bundle.
Aside from being incredibly affordable and reliable, the QonQuill bundle can support an unprecedented 500 pounds and comes with a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee for a full refund or replacement if you’re not pleased with your purchase.
That’s the definition of a win-win, and at no risk to you.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like our article on Resistance Bands Vs. Dumbbells.
And if you’re interested in learning more about fitness equipment, workouts, and health in general, you can also check out our other reviews, blog posts, and more on Dumbbellsreviews.com.
