LifelineUSA XT Jungle Gym

Length:: 6:18 Mins

I''ve used both the TRX and Jungle Gym XT in gyms, but when it came to buying one for personal use while traveling I picked the Jungle Gym XT. I picked the Jungle Gym XT because it was cheaper and had some really smart industrial design choices (i.e. straps are split and not attached, the foot cradle can be mounted without even looking at them, the door anchors are built-in, slick color scheme, etc.)

What''s important is that TRX and Jungle Gym XT both suck if you don''t know how to use them. Getting instruction on using them or watching videos online will help. Or go to a gym that uses suspension trainers. There''s lots of different exercises, but getting that knowledge is key. Also these products should complement and not replace other exercises. Keep running, jump-roping, biking, walking, swimming, dancing, etc!

EDIT: I updated the video and changed the part where I thought I needed shoes for a certain position. All was needed was to flip the foot cradle around. So yeah, never had to use shoes with the Jungle Gym XT.

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!!!

Buy LifelineUSA XT Jungle Gym Now

I have used a few of the suspension trainers, TRX is used extensively at the gyms in my area, but this one is the best value of all the products currently on the market. I have bought other equipment from Lifeline and it is all pretty solidly built.

TRX is the main alternative, but it is way too expensive and does not offer anything more than the jungle gym xt. The handles on The jungle gym xt feel a lot more solid than TRX, and the foot holds are a million times better. Also TRX will rub on your arms for certain exercises like push-ups. Since The jungle gym straps can be set up separately or on a central hold, you don''t have that problem.

Really the main price difference between the two is probably because TRX pays for a bunch of advertising.

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Just purchased my Jungle Gym XT and I am very pleased. I have always considered the THX straps, but spending over $150.00 for straps seemed excessive especially when I would also need to spend another $25 for the door mount. In fact, the Jungle Gym comes with most of the THX add ons intergrated into the actual straps.

The main reason I wanted a strap system was for a portable workout that could be attached on anything from a door, tree, or pull up bar. This XT version fits the bill on all acounts right out of the box. No need to purchase any extras. One area I was concerned was if the straps were going to be long enough to do most exercises while mounted from a door frame. They do sell extension straps, but they are not needed. These do just fine without them. I am 6''2" and the straps lengthen out enough to assume a full push up position with my feet against the door.

The only con is also a pro. The handles feature a rigid foot strap which makes it very easy to enter in and out without using your hands. I would like them to be loose as to make the system easier to pack, but I dont think it would be worth the loss of the ease of entry/exit.

All the materials seem top notch and I have no concerns on the reliability.

This is my first review.

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I am returning the Jungle Gym, but give it 3 stars anyway because it is a well-made product that could work very well for some users who have the space to set it up with a separate frame.

It doesn''t work for me because the only way I can use it is to attach the straps to a closed door. The limitation of this method is that it brings my body too far forward of the attachment point, whereas the ideal body position is to have one''s weight balanced beneath the attachment point, with half of one one''s body length behind and half in front of this point. That is how users are shown in the promotional photos: the straps are attached to an open frame and the user hangs beneath the frame''s cross-member with their feet behind the base-line. That is impossible to do when it is attached to a closed door.

Some exercises are unaffected by this problem, but the ones that matter to me are, and I suspect the same will be true for most buyers.

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