So, I've owned the TRX force kit for about five years, XFit Rings for
about three years, and the Jungle Gym XT for about a month now, and I
have to say the Jungle Gym XT is the Best Over-all product, in almost
all categories. Here's the preferential order I would put the three
products: First place: Jungle Gym XT, Second Place: XFit Rings, and
Third Place: TRX. And I'm rating them REGARDLESS OF PRICE!!!!
I'm
not trying to pick on any specific product. I'm giving my best over-all
objective opinion based on my expertise (I am a personal trainer at an
exclusive high level gym). To be fair to all manufacturers, I still use
ALL three of the products. My intention with this review is to educate
consumers so you can make an objective decision.
I'll just limit my
review to the cons because I don't want to continue the redundancy of
talking about what these products can do.
First: Hygiene! the TRX
falls short especially if you are sharing the product with others. The
Jungle Gym handles and foot cradles are made of TPE (thermoplastic
elastomer, which is a sturdy plastic with a rubber-like feel), and the
XFit rings are olympic styled rings (lowest level is a very sturdy,
almost invincible, hard plastic). Which both are easy to clean. The TRX,
on the other hand, has a foam-like material over the handles, and the
foot cradles over the nylon webbing. Which you can't clean unless you
want to speed up the deterioration process. So, little microbes can
fester on the handles and foot cradles. So if you share it with others,
have an anti-bacterial gel nearby.
Next: Durability! I've had the
TRX the longest, So it's been worked over!!! the main components of the
straps are still well in tact. But!!! the foam on the handles have worn
down, and are splitting. I've called FitnessAnywhere to find a solution,
and they mailed me (for free), TAPE!!! Yes, TAPE!!! does it work? Yes.
for how long? I don't know. Definitely not a long term solution though.
There only other offer was another older model force kit for a
discounted price (ten dollars less than the newest model). The Rings are
solid and I know they will maintain its over-all integrity for many
years to come. For the Jungle Gym, I'm familiar with many gym products
and seeing the design and quality of the materials, there is premium
quality, long lasting materials. You can tell it's the best made even if
you compare all the products side by side if they were all new.
NEXT: Comfort. TRX, even with the foam handles, are last place. why???
the adjustable METAL buckle is designed to sit at a right angle to the
handles. which means LOTS of snagging when doing pushing exercises. When
I had the TRX the first two years, I would constantly have scratch
marks on my arms, shoulders, and neck because of the metal buckle
snagging me during use. Actually, an under armour long sleeve shirt (or
similar) will go a long way. With the rings, the metal buckle can be
adjusted to be away from your range of movement. The Jungle Gym, The
adjustable buckle contraptions are modeled like the TRX except that it
is made of a very durable hard plastic, contoured and rounded so there
are no uncomfortable edges, and they lay flush (not at a right angle) to
the handles. So... NO SNAGGING!!!
NEXT: Variations! you can do
ALOT with any of the suspension trainers. But the TRX has the most
limitations solely on the fact that both straps come to one point. So
there is VERY LIMITED abduction exercises. and if you do try
abduction... be ready for snagging. Not an issue with the other
products. You'll be surprised how much MORE VARiATION there is simply by
having each handle individually anchored, and able to control how wide
each anchor point is. The Xfit rings don't have designed foot cradles,
but if you are at an intermediate fitness level, you can stand your
feet on the rings, and do all the foot cradle exercises comfortably. The
jungle gym's foot cradles are by far the easiest to get in and out of,
and the most comfortable.
LASTLY: Portability! Finally, the TRX
wins in this category. One, it comes with a mesh drawstring bag. If you
want one so badly, spend five dollars and get one for the other
products. Also, the TRX packs the smallest. Actually, I have the first
model Force kit, and it packs about a third of the size of all the
current TRX models and is slightly lighter. I actually HATE that the
newer TRX models are bulkier than they used to be. All the models have
the bulkier (less expensive), nylon webbing. Don't be fooled if someone
will try to lie to you and say it's better quality. it's not. I actually
have the older, BETTER product. They're saving money!!! Even though
they other products (XFit Rings, and Jungle Gym XT) don't pack as small,
they are still VERY PORTABLE.
Because I have all the products, I
have the advantage of doing total body suspension exercises. I can mix
either of the products to achieve that. For my personal use, I'd use the
Jungle Gym XT for my feet, and the rings for my hands (which
coincidently, is the best buy), or you can get two Jungle Gyms, or Two
TRX's. I'd recommend to getting two jungle gyms though.
This review
is meant to educate consumers so you're not dazzled by the marketing,
and you can buy confidently because you have as much objective
information.
All the best on your fitness journey!!!
GOD has given each of us the innate ability to make choices. 
