The Jungle Gym XT, is the newest suspension trainer to hit the market and it’s receiving quite a bit of attention.
Suspension trainers are popular these days due in part to the success of the TRX suspension trainer.
I’m a long-time TRX user and still use it regularly. It really is the leader in the market and for good reason. It’s simple, convenient, and effective.
However, the major drawback for many is the price. The TRX is almost $200.
So, when one of the trainers at our local recreation center was demonstrating the Jungle Gym XT and said he picked it up for substantially less than the TRX, I had to give it a try to see if it measured up.
The Highlights…
• A Brief Overview Of Suspension Training
• Jungle Gym XT Experiment – The Results
• The Jungle Gym XT Split Design
• What You Get With The Jungle Gym XT Trainer
• Safety Considerations
• What Does The Jungle Gym XT Cost?
• Jungle Gym XT vs TRX – Who’s The Winner?
• Jungle Gym XT Demonstration Video
• Related Articles
• Comments
A Brief Overview Of Suspension Training
Suspension training has taken the fitness world by storm and for good reason. The suspension element adds fun and variety to any standard workout routine.
It allows individuals to get a full body workout using their own body weight as resistance.
Suspension trainers use a system of straps, handles and clever design elements that provide an effective form of functional fitness and by working the muscles synergistically.
Users can wrap the trainer around a bar of any type or secure it to the ceiling or a door frame.
Gripping the handles and leaning back or forward, or placing the feet in stirrups, suspends parts of the body off of the ground.
Suspension training is considered resistance training, because it builds muscle while also improving balance, joint stability, and flexible strength.
Various exercises can be performed to work several areas of the body simultaneously. In addition, maintaining stability while suspended requires the user to constantly engage their core.
Jungle Gym XT Experiment – The Results
After using the Jungle Gym XT (JGXT) for over two months now, my overall impression is it’s well designed and well worth the investment and here’s why…
Initially, I assumed because the JGXT cost a lot less money than the TRX, this trainer would be of lesser quality. This was not the case.
The JGXT is a durable well-made suspension trainer. The strap webbing is lighter than the TRX, yet still heavy enough to feel secure. The stitching is top-notch, and the handles and stirrups are actually better quality and design than the TRX.
With a good quality trainer like the JGXT, movements feel natural and smooth, making this unit a pleasure to use.
=> Get the Jungle Gym XT from Amazon <=
The Jungle Gym XT Split Design
The JGXT is a split design suspension trainer unlike the single anchor point TRX.
This allows users to change the width of the anchor points and length of the straps to suit any exercise move.
The straps can be adjusted to the traditional “V” shaped suspension (single anchor point), neutral suspension, similar to Olympic rings, and wide-angle suspension.
The variety of exercises is far greater than the average suspension trainer and flexibility is more effectively enhanced, because of this feature.
Its patented Easy-In Foot Cradle is an open-toe semi-rigid cradle that maintains its shape for simple hands-free use.
Inline buckles, ergonomic handles, and a 90 minute workout DVD, with bonus features, make the product an excellent bargain.
What You Get With The Jungle Gym XT Trainer
- Split design makes for easy adjustments to change force angles and allows for a greater variety of possible exercise moves.
- Increases functional fitness, muscle tone, overall strength, core strength, balance, flexibility, and joint stability.
- Easy-In Foot Cradle makes hands-free use a snap.
- Inline buckles for added comfort.
- Smooth and natural feeling movements.
- Ergonomic handles that wipe clean easily.
- Integrated cinch loop.
- Non-scuff door attachments.
- Strap extenders to reach up to 16 feet.
- Can do pull-ups, ring moves, and dips unlike single anchor trainers.
- Comes with a large workout poster illustrating different moves.
- Includes a 90 minute DVD with bonus workouts.
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Safety Considerations
The Jungle Gym XT suspension trainer is safe for men and women, regardless of fitness level. A workout DVD that includes instructions for safe use is included.
It is strongly suggested that users view the DVD prior to using the equipment.
When securing the equipment to a door, make sure the frame is sturdy and the door is not overly thin or flexible. If possible, it’s always a good idea to workout on the side of the door so it opens away from you. This will eliminate the possibility of the door popping open during a workout.
To anchor the straps to a bar or other surface, throw the door anchor over the bar, pull it all the way down, push the anchor through the cinch loop, slide the cinch loop up and tug to make sure it is secure. Review this information by watching the instructional DVD to ensure safety.
What Does The Jungle Gym XT Cost?
The Jungle Gym is more affordable than many of its competitors. It’s almost half the price of the TRX or the Human Trainer.
At the time of this review, the Jungle Gym XT sells for $99.99 USD on Amazon. LifelineUSA also offers free US domestic shipping on orders of $50 or more, so the JGXT ships at no cost if you live in the US.
The door attachments are included in the price, as well as a 90 minute DVD, with bonus workouts, and a large, color poster depicting various exercise moves.
Both the Jungle Gym XT strap extenders and wall anchors cost $29.99.
Jungle Gym XT vs TRX – Who’s The Winner?
As mentioned, I’m a long time TRX user and still love that product. Where the TRX is better than the Jungle Gym XT is in the ease and speed of set up and adjustments, making it more convenient for outdoor workouts.
The TRX, with it’s single anchor strap is dead simple and can wrap around virtually anything that can safely support your weight. However, we are talking a matter of seconds here.
That said, I think the Jungle Gym XT is better for a gym or at-home installation where it’s anchored to a level bar or something similar.
A level bar installation facilitates the unique split design of the JGXT which makes it more versatile than the TRX. And, I absolutely love the semi-rigid foot cradles. I still seem to struggle a bit when using the soft webbing foot straps found on other suspension trainers.
So, for a full-body (and fun) workout system that sells for $100, the Jungle Gym XT is an astounding value. You’ll be seeing a lot more of these suspension trainers in the future.
Jungle Gym XT Demonstration Video
=> Get the Jungle Gym XT from Amazon <=
What Are Your Thoughts On The Jungle Gym XT?
If you’ve tried the JGXT suspension trainer or know someone who has, let us and others know what you think of it. By sharing your own Jungle Gym XT review, good or bad, you can help others make an informed decision or provide some motivation to get started on a fun and successful exercise program.
JGXT Related Articles:
- Suspension Trainers: 5 Impressive Benefits To Your Overall Fitness
- Metabolic Training – Get Fit Faster
- TRX Suspension Trainer Review – Analyzing The Bestselling Bodyweight Based Trainer
- TRX Yoga Fusion Workout
- The New TRX Force Kit: Tactical
- The Human Trainer Review – Split Design Suspension Body Weight Training
- The TRX Xmount Ceiling and Wall Anchor
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Just got my Jungle Gym for Christmas and I’m very happy so far! I’ve trained on the TRX cables and these are just as good. The only area I’d say TRX is better is with the fasteners that hold the strap slack in place, one of mine slips. Other than this the Jungle Gym is perfect. It also has its own advantages over TRX such as the ability to widen the angles. For the person who mentioned they don’t have many secure door jams, I hang mine outside from a beam on my patio. This is a great purchase to add variety to your workouts!
My husband is going to see if he can find me one of these cheaper than this. I told him what you said about cheaper isn’t always better because the quality may not be as good. I am still going to try and talk him into one of these though simply because I know it will last and I can get my money out of it. What is the maximum weight it can hold?
Hello R.
The manufacturers recommended weight limit for the Jungle Gym XT is 300lbs per strap.
I have tried the TRX system and I liked it but this one looks like it would be easier to use and easier to make more difficult if you wanted to. Not to mention it is something that my husband and I could both use at the same time and have different levels of difficulty without changing anything. I think this would make the ultimate home gym.
Deciding on what type of home workout equipment / system is getting harder all the time. Now days, you have so many options. I can easily rattle off a few such as the rack, p90, insanity, and there are new contraptions being manufactured every year, it seems. This seems to be an advanced sort of pulley system that is versatile in terms of where you can use it. It looks like it’s worth adding to my tools.
Hello Aldo,
There will always be plenty of new fitness products to buy. Where people waste their money is buying the gimmicks that promise “easy” and “fast” results.
The best fitness tools don’t make such promises. The most useful products give you variety and you want use them because it’s challenging.
I think suspension trainers like the Jungle Gym XT (no pulleys, just straps) do a great job at this.
Thanks for the comment…
I suppose you are right when you said to be leary of anything less than $100 because the quality of it is not going to be as good. I am thinking about investing in one of these because I want something that will challenge me in as little time as possible, I have a short window to workout in so I need something that will work in 20-30 min. and still give maximum burn.
Suspension trainers are great for intense 20-30 min. workouts.
It looks very easy to use and it seems to be very easy and quick to adjust to make it more difficult or easier. Ease of adjustment is a big deal because the more work you have to do to get ready to work out the less you are going to do it. I like the overall look of the set up as well.
Hey Christopher,
I couldn’t agree more. Simplicity is often overlooked.
This looks like so much fun, I was watching your video and the beginner moves are great but I would like to see some of the more advanced moves so I can see what to expect when you get better at these. Is this something that is in most gyms now days? I really want to go somewhere and try these before I decide whether to buy them or not.
I want one of these so bad I can taste it. I will have to wait and in the mean time figure out where I am going to put it. I don’t have very many secure door jams to hang it from but if I have to I will build a tower to hook it on.
I am so glad that they are coming out with more of these to choose from. I still want to go try a workout on one at the local gym before spending that kind of money but I really think I would like one. The price on this one is definitely better but still rather steep for my pocket. Maybe if I keep putting it off I’ll be able to find one even cheaper yet.
Hello Jewell,
Yeah, definitely sign up for a class and give a suspension trainer a try before deciding to buy. From my experience, there seems to be no fence-sitters when it comes to suspension trainers. People either love’em or could care less.
I like to think those that love them really enjoy exercise and look for variety instead of those who see exercise as a chore.
As far as price, if you’re serious about using the Jungle Gym XT, it’s a great investment at $100. I’d be skeptical of quality of anything less expensive than that.
Take care…