9 TRX Moves to Sculpt an Insanely Strong Upper Body

If you want to build upper-body strength while developing functional fitness that will help you move, feel and look your best, give TRX Suspension Training a try. Initially created as a way for Navy SEALs to stay in shape while deployed with minimal gear, TRX is now widely available in many gyms.

The following TRX workout develops strength in your arms, chest, back and core, with movements that translate to the way you move in everyday life. Add this routine to your strength-training regimen to get a taste of how suspension training can take your fitness to the next level.

Read more: 16 TRX Exercises for a Full-Body Workout

1. Stand facing away from the anchor point and hold one TRX handle in each hand.
2. Extend your arms over your head and start with your feet together.
3. Brace your core and focus on keeping your elbows, hips and knees in line.
4. Step forward into a split-squat stance so that your knees are at 90-degree angles and your arms are slightly behind your head.
5. To return, press through your arms and pull yourself to standing.

1. Stand facing away from the anchor point, holding the handles out in front of you.
2. Brace your core and focus on maintaining a solid plank with your body at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
3. Lower your chest toward your hands and focus on moving your entire body in a straight line.
4. Stop when your hands are in line with your chest.
5. Press yourself back up in one slow, controlled movement, focusing on keeping your knees, hips and shoulders in line the entire way up.

This classic TRX exercise builds strength in your chest, shoulders and triceps.

Read more: The Best Chest Workout for Building Lean Muscle

1. Stand facing the anchor point with your hands extended overhead and a handle in each hand.
2. Move your hips down and back into a squat position, pushing your knees slightly outward, while simultaneously lowering your hands to shoulder level.
3. Drive through your heels and push your hips forward while raising your hands back overhead, maintaining straight arms until you reach the top.

This exercise builds strength and increases mobility in both your shoulders and hips.

1. Stand facing away from the anchor point and hold the suspension trainer by the handles. Keep your elbows high and in line with your shoulders.
2. Bring your hands next to your temples with your palms facing away from your body.
3. Brace your core as you lean forward so that your body is at a 45-degree angle to the floor.
4. Press down into the handle, keeping everything stable except for your elbow joints, until your arms are fully extended.
5. Lower your body down in one slow, controlled movement until your hands are back at the starting position.

Incorporate this move into your routine to increase strength and definition in your triceps while developing your core strength and improving your active plank. As you perform this move, focus on maintaining tension throughout your entire body.

1. Face the suspension trainer with your chest directly under the anchor point, holding the handles with your palms facing each other.
2. Bend your knees to 90 degrees, brace your core and engage your glutes.
3. Squeeze your shoulder blades together and use your lats to pull your body up until your hands are at the sides of your rib cage.
4. Slowly lower your body back down to the starting position.

This exercise is excellent for developing core stability and upper- and lower-back strength.

1. Start in a push-up position with your feet directly under the anchor point in the foot cradles of the suspension trainer.
2. Brace your core and perform a standard push-up.
3. When you reach the top of the push-up, pause for a moment, then pike your hips up while keeping your legs as straight as you can.
4. Pause for a moment at the top, then lower your hips back down to the starting position.

An incredible, total-body challenge, this move will strengthen your entire upper body.

Read more: The 41 Hardest Ab Exercises

1. With the handles of the suspension trainer shortened, sit directly under the anchor point with a handle in each hand and your legs in an L position.
2. Pull your chest to your hands while keeping your legs straight and feet planted on the ground.
3. Lower yourself to the ground in one slow and controlled movement and reset when you hit the ground.

This TRX variation of a body-weight training classic will strengthen your arms, shoulders, back and core.

1. Stand with the anchor point to one side.
2. Place one foot in front of the other, holding one handle with both hands at the center of your chest.
3. Engage your core muscles and lean slightly away from the anchor point.
4. Keeping your hips, knees, shoulders and ears in line, lean further to the side so that your hands are moving away from your chest.
5. Slowly pull yourself back up — keeping your body in a straight line — and bring your hands back to your chest.

A great exercise for developing functional core strength, this move challenges the entire upper body as well.

Read more: Why Crunches Won't Give You Flat Abs — and the 12 Moves That Will!

1. Stand facing the anchor point, holding one handle of the suspension trainer with one hand at the side of your chest and the other reaching up toward the anchor point.
2. Slowly lower your body away from the anchor point, letting yourself rotate away, until your free hand is reaching toward the ground.
3. Brace your core and focus on maintaining a rigid plank position.
4. Pull yourself back to the starting position in one controlled movement until your free hand is again touching the suspension trainer.

The power pull is excellent total-body exercise that develops rotational strength.