By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist

Erin Brown, ACE Certified Personal Trainer at the Pelham YMCA and Helena resident, is all about TRX Suspension Training, a program that accommodates any fitness level.

“The core and muscles are activated as you leverage gravity and your bodyweight to perform any of hundreds of exercises. Each person works according to their own ability – we demonstrate how to do it, then you choose the degree of intensity that is right for you.”

Brown grew up playing soccer and received a scholarship to play at the college level. She moved into rugby her final two college years. She loves to be outdoors. When inside, she does burpees, squat jumps and the agility ladder.

Her B.S. is in administration of outdoor recreation and physical education with emphasis in health/wellness and coaching. She told me what led her to this vocation.

“When I was in middle school, my health teacher had jars of, guess what … lard, sitting on her desk. When I saw the amount that of junk we put into our body, myself included, I knew I had to do something to change that. Since then I have always wanted to work in a position that would allow me the opportunity to help others achieve a healthy lifestyle.”

As she grew up in a service-minded family, Brown said, “I love mission work. My heart and soul is working in and around the community. My most recent dedication for my mission work is in El Tejar, Guatemala. I will be traveling there in March, which will be my fourth visit to this location.”

Brown told me that TRX was initially developed by a Navy SEAL to take advantage of an exercise routine that develops strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. It can be done in small areas, such as a submarine.

TRX classes are currently offered on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

“I also work by individual appointment. In groups larger than four, when you’re not on the bands, I add in Boot Camp exercises to keep the heart rate up. I suggest a water class afterwards to relax and detox.”

Ready to give TRX a try? Call 664-9622 for more information.

Laura Brookhart can be reached by email at labro16@yahoo.com.