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TRX Gym in a Bag vs. LifeLine Jungle Gym Review
April 20th, 2009
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by Brad · Filed Under: Product Reviews · TRX Portable Gym in a Bag
”What is the BEST Portable Gym available for the money?”
Vs. 
That is one of the most common email questions I receive. Here is my answer…
I own the 2 most popular suspension training gyms on the market…
1 TRX Suspension Trainer Gym in a Bag
2 Lifeline Jungle Gym
The following Video contains scenes from my “Lab” where I test equipment like this on a daily basis.
Here’s my opinion on how they stack up against each other…
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
Here’s who wins in a cage match between the TRX Gym in a Bag vs. Lifeline Jungle Gym…
- Durability…TRX Gym in a Bag
- Multiple Anchoring Capability (doors, bars, trees, anything you can “loop”)….TRX Gym in a Bag
- Ease of Adjustability…TRX Gym in a Bag
- Strength of Straps…TRX Gym in a Bag
- Handle Comfort…TRX Gym in a Bag
- Overall “Feeling” of Safety…TRX Gym in a Bag
- Overall Ruggedness / Ability to Handle the “Beatdown”…TRX Gym in a Bag
- Price…Jungle Gym
*Price is the ONLY comparison where the Lifeline Jungle Gym beats the TRX Suspension Trainer Gym in a Bag.
Which car is better in performance (and which would you rather drive)…a Chevette or a Audi R8?
Vs. 
When you decide on the Audi R8…
I recommend the TRX Gym in a Bag “Home Training Bundle”
Click Here to Buy the TRX Gym in a Bag
Click Here to Buy the TRX Gym in a Bag
Crank it!
B-Rad
P.S. Give me your opinion between the TRX and the Lifeline Jungle Gym in the COMMENTS section below. Crank it!
I mean, the price is even that big a difference, considering the Jungle Gym is a piece of &$(*@. I’d definitely take the TRX… in fact.. could you send me one ?
If you are looking for kick ass workout, true portability, versatility, TRX is the best investment for the money, no doubt!
Greta post, really useful.
Been looking at the TRX system for a while since I saw it in a few YouTube videos.
You have helped me make my mind up and put an order in for one, TRX gym in a bag it is!
Cheers
TOM Godwin
Foresight Personal Training
Brad,
Tell me more about the products you have above. Thanks bro.
I guess I’m the odd man out but I love the Jungle Gym. I travel a lot and the TRX is too much for me and complicated to adjust…..Jungle Gym is way easier and functional!
Hey Brad,
you make some good points in the comparison. If you look at the graphic above your video you will see the jungle gym does have foot anchors, you have the 1st generation gym from 2001. All the newer ones have foot anchors. I agree the strap is thicker on the TRX, but the jungle gym is sturdy enough to handle any normal fitness loads (I believe it can handle 400 lbs +) . TRX does have more options for anchors.
Stay fit,
Paul Alexander, MS, CSCS, CNT
I prefer the Jungle Gym II…it’s very versatile and it’s sturdy, I know I can do chinups and pullups and it will hold my weight. With the TRX system it seems OK until you start doing full-body exercises like dips and pullups and the like. I know the Jungle Gym can handle that…I am not so sure about the TRX system. And I’ve been looking at all the videos online showing TRX exercises…so far no one is doing chinups or dips with it.
I also have the USA…that too is very versatile and can take one’s whole weight with no problem.
Great post – thanks, you helped me make up my mind on an important piece of equipment.
I have most every suspension device on the market. The TRX is more complicated to adjust than the jungle gym (mine is a jungle gym split). It weighs more. It has a single point of attachment (which makes things like dips very difficult). It does have padded handles but I wrapped my jungle gym split’s handles with racket tape.
I’m not too impressed with the TRX. It’s well made but not as well thought out as you’d hope and it’s expensive.
The USA: This is an interesting alternative. It’s not well made (just looking at the stitching you can see that), but it is a fun, slightly different variation.
Vegas Pro Straps: Kind of overpriced for what they are. Well made. Handles are a touch too thick.
EXF rings: Smart design, great feeling rings (love the new rubber grip), easy to adjust. Definitely the best of the crop.
Cons: Rings aren’t good for exercises where you place you feet in a loop (not as comfortable).
Rogue Rings: VERY well made. 2nd best after the EXF rings. Kind of heavy so not the kind of thing you travel with.
Brad
Thanks for the great comparison. I would have to agree with you. Jungle Gym makes a decent product and if you’re strapped for cash well it’s a good option but TRX is far superior on all the points you listed especially safety. Great review and you really made us laugh (my boyfriend is a mechanic so we loved the car comparison).
Hello,
Thank you for helping me see that TRX is the better choice. Your review was complete and it was awesome that you did it on video so that we can visualize the comparisons. I have been thinking about this a long time. Now to decide between the TRX and the Universal Strength Apparatus. I call it a good day if I can narrow down my choices from three to two. Thanks again.
Lynn
People compare USA to TRX, but it’s like gymnastic rings and a rope. They are too different. USA can be climbed and the resistance can be changed on the spot, and it’s cheaper. TRX on the other hand looks cooler and seem to be better designed. If you don’t want to climb and don’t need to change resistance and don’t mind paying double go with TRX. If you want to change resistance often and want to save go with USA.
I just received my jungle gym 2 split — which is a split version of jungle gym, and here is my response to your evaluation (GTW — my bodyweight is 225)
Durability…looking at Jungle gym — straps are 1 1/2″ — that is plenty durable. 1″ straps might feel light, but hold 3,000 pounds — don’t know why you need more — but this 1 1/2″ would hold 4,200 lb plus “feel” is less flimsy. I had made some of my own, and know the difference in feel. but feel =/= reality — this one has both.
Multiple Anchoring Capability (doors, bars, trees, anything you can “loop”)….with this split version I would disagree.
Ease of Adjustability…for one setting maybe TRX — but because you can split the Jungle gym 2 split — you don’t have the problem of rubbing against your arms (which I had in the knock off that followed the basic design of TRX I made — and I see in the vids of people using)
Strength of Straps…see above — may have been true in the economy version of jungle gym, but not the jungles gym 2 split
Handle Comfort…TRX Gym in a Bag…this one I would have to agree. the jungle gym is simply a pvc pipe. not sure why they didn’t use some of the comfort foam they have on other products. But, you can always tape or add foam (bicycle handlebar stuff would work). IF you really want to.
Overall “Feeling” of Safety…again, see durability
Overall Ruggedness / Ability to Handle the “Beatdown”…again, see durability
And in the split version, the foot straps have been added in.
Price…Jungle Gym — without a doubt with 4 models ranging from $50 – $80 beats $190 – $220 for the same.
Bought the jungle gym a couple of years ago and really liked it, I was able to do everything that I saw the TRX doing. Fast forward to a month ago, I wanted to go through the infamous trx workout with a buddy of mine and after much deliberation I bought the TRX and gave my old jungle gym to my buddy (he and his wife just had a baby and he couldn’t afford to buy anything). I say all that to say this, the TRX is a superior piece of equipment to the jungle gym, period. There is nothing about it that I don’t like better than the jungle gym from ease of adjustability to hanging options not to mention the foot cradles. If you can’t afford a TRX and really want a suspension trainer go ahead and get the jungle gym, it’s a decent piece of equipment, but if you can do it I would tell you to save a little more money and get the TRX, you won’t be sorry. Just my 2 cents.