THIS wasn’t my first rodeo in the rotational suspension-training arena. I popped my Rip:60 cherry last November for the Men’s Health Rock-Solid Challenge, and it took less than 5 pitiful reps for me to realize this: Rotational suspension training will whip your ass into shape.
On a Wednesday at the FTX Gym in Makati, I found myself rekindling sparks with an old flame. I was certain it would be a full-on workout, like only a Rip:60 class can offer, but I figured nothing could be worse than my first date. Still, I didn’t want to get complacent. Ferdinand Manabat, a certified Rip:60 master trainer and our instructor for the day, kicked off the 45-minute body blast with warmup suspension stretches to loosen our joints. In each dynamic suspension stretch, I instantly felt I was engaging more muscles than usual as I started breaking a sweat.
When it came to the workout proper, the sets were time-based—typically a minute for each exercise. I didn’t mind the stopwatch as I focused on putting in as many reps to get the most out of the workout. From inclined chest presses, to jump-squats with suspension trainers, to hanging planks—moves that were new to me—I experienced a burn that tested my big muscle groups, core strength, stability, flexibility, and mental fortitude. “Since there is rotation, you recruit more muscles to achieve proper form and stabilize your trunk more, so it’s a lot intense than just pulling or pushing,” explained Manabat.
And you really have no excuse to stop working because the level of difficulty adjusts some minor tweaks in every move. By the end of the class, I had little left in the tank, but I felt physically great and pumped for another 45-minute go-round. I consider that Wednesday a good day for comebacks.
Adjust to Your Level
On a suspension workout, there’s no excuse to stop. According to certified Rip:60 master trainer Ferdinand Manabat, doing these small adjustments equates to more reps
1 - Standing position.
“The closer you are to the floor, the heavier the weight is—whether you’re pulling or pushing.”
2 - Footing.
“Another way of adjusting is through your sense of balance. It’s either feet together, feet apart, or doing it on one leg. A wider stance means easier workouts.”
3 - Pace of movement.
“If you want to challenge yourself, do it faster, but in proper form.”
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