Been a fan of suspension trainers for a long time. In terms of bang for the buck when space is at a premium, nothing beats a suspension trainer. Even at the gym, I do some regular suspension trainer work. The TRX is the best known by far, and has sued and shut down anyone who attempts to compete with them, such as WOSS, but that's another story. This study finds major benefits in body comp and other outcomes from suspension training, in this case using a TRX:

"The Effect of a Period of TRX Training on Lipid Profile and Body Composition in Overweight Women."

Abstract

Suspension training is a combination of unique training movements aimed at improving strength, endurance, coordination, flexibility, power, and core stability within a single workout. Suspension training is marketed as a cardiovascular and resistance training exercise modality performed like a circuit-training workout, in which a series of exercises are performed in rotation with minimal rest time.

Objective: The purpose of this study was the analysis of the effect a period of TRX training on lipid profile and body composition in overweight women.

Methods: 24 cases of overweight women, at the age of 29/41 ± 4.48, height 162/35 ± 4.97cm, weight 73.4 ± 5.47kg and BMI 27.85 ± 2.02 kg/m2 were randomly divided into two control and experimental groups consisting of 12 people. The exercise program was accomplished in eight weeks with three training sessions per week. The training duration from the first week up to the last week increased from 12 to 30 minutes and the exercise intensity from 50 to 80 HRmax. Prior to the implementation of the training program, the performance indicators and body composition were measured and blood test was also conducted for determining the lipid profile. After eight weeks of practicing, all of these tests were taken once more. In experimental group after eight weeks of practicing, fat percentage of body reduced from 39.8 to 36. 97 (p = 0.001) and body fat mass decreased from 28. 22 to 26. 32 (p = 0.001) and the muscle strength increased from 13.85 to 15. 21 Kg (p=0.001) while the lower body muscle strength indicates a rise from 126.78 to 132.24 (p=0.001), and the VO2max from 55.05 to 61. 89 ml.kg.min (p= 0.002).

Conclusions: A period time of TRX affects performance indicators significantly and body composition.

Full Paper:

http://article.sapub.org/10.5923.j.s...170703.09.html