ELITE including DVD and Door Anchor

I previously bought an expensive trx system , so was interested when I saw the Aerosling as a slightly cheaper alternative . I tested both the aero sling elite and the aero sling Xpe . Both are great depending on your needs . Personally I preferred this one as it was sturdier , I don't travel so much for the lighter Xpe and the elite seems more Longer term , more versatile option.Firstly the aerosling is light , compact and has rope based system ( similar to the ones rock climbers use ) .At first it looked pretty flimsy but can hold up to 120 kg. It comes with an attached door anchor , which is great meaning it is flexible to use at home or outdoors. You can either tie it on to a sturdy frame ( or tree) or hang it over a door.The ropes seem more wobblier than the straps of the trx, but you can twist them at the top to make them more stable. It works on a pulley system, with you using your own weight as a resistance. Because it feels more unstable than the trx it means if you don't adjust the straps you have to work hardr for stability- encouraging a harder workout. However the perfect thing about this is you choose and are in control of what type of workout you have and how intense it is.The handles are very sturdy and strong, and can be use to hold on to or you can slip your feet in.they are also interchangeable and you can buy alternative handles and on's if you want to vary your workout - something you can't do on the trx or aerosling Xpe.The set comes in a nice travel bag- perfect for travelling or taking to the gym , fit in a workout bag no problem.It also comes with a dvd and picture guide of basic exercises .The dvd id in German or English and is very cheesy- gives you basic instructions , and at first I thought it was rubbish but when I got to the training plan section I was very impressed.It just shows you how flexible this system is- there are a set of 2 training plans, each with 2 circuits you can choose and examples by one instructors for beginners and one for more advanced users. You can also print of pdf's of the exercise's to keep you on track. I found this really good.Overall I was sceptical about this system but on some points it really holds it on. Its a good system for people who are experienced at suspense training as the cord system and unsuitability really pushes your core . My friend is fantastic at trx but found this pushed her further and gave her back a challenge .This is a really flexible system, you can work on an area of fitness you want, anywhere you want and it will last you from beginner to pro.There is a huge range of fantastic videos on youtube of people using the trx and aerosling which are well worth looking at - if you are sceptical look at how fit they are- and what fun they are having too- could be you and for you .If your a beginner I suggest trying out a suspension system and your gym or class to see if you want to make the investment . If your a real pro , this will really push your body and challenge you far more thn the trx , and last a lot longer too .

I had the chance to try the TRX suspension systems when they were first entering the UK market but never got around to training with this style of equipment since. So I was delighted to compare and contrast both the Aerobis Aerosling models - the  XPE and the Elite.I chose to keep the XPE at home & for travel (it is the lighter and slightly less bulky of the two) and keep the Elite for use with the group I train with, where its slightly higher weight-rating and more durable materials could make a difference.Both models share a common set of accompanying accessories; an instructional DVD, a wall-chart of basic exercises and a `do not disturb' style door-handle sign. The XPE DVD states that some methods shown are on the Elite are not exactly replicable but having watched all the exercises on the DVD I can say that the only limitation of the XPE is in single-handed mode and, by joining the handles together in the prescribed way, this can be achieved nearly as easily as in the Elite.The DVD is well produced with a methodical, low-key delivery from the three German fitness expert presenters. There's no `marketese' or infomercial-style shots of wonder-abs or any other nonsense. Just good, clear explanations of how to use the Aerosling properly and how to vary intensity / difficulty to make the exercises suitable to your training needs. My only gripe here is that almost all of the exercises are optimised for overhead suspension of the Aerosling. Door suspension works well but has the major limitation that you cannot move through the full range of some of these exercises. The ceiling attachment bracket is sold separately (although other improvisations could work well) but it's a shame they didn't provide a few more exercises based on the door attachment.To describe my impressions `in use' I need to first state where I fit in on the training spectrum. I have rowed for over 20 years, cycle daily and do some rock climbing. In the last three years I have taken to circuit/boxing training with a group of peers who come from a mixed sporting background (martial arts, rugby, handball, football) etc. I therefore describe myself as of good fitness and quite used to the usual circuit training staples (press-ups, sit-ups, burpees, plank and the like). If you are not, then there are still several useful beginner exercises shown on the DVD and on the internet (search for suspension training) but this style of body-weight exercise is difficult and physically demanding. Remember that TRX was developed to help keep military personnel fighting fit.I have really enjoyed trying out the exercises that could be done with the Aerosling attached to the door (very good) and strung from a beam (even better). There is very little `in use' difference between the XPE and Elite models. The Elite has extra karabiners to connect together for single-handle use as well as a second grip knot (climbers will recognise a tape Prussik knot here) that makes it a little tidier to have equal amounts of spare cord in both hands. Ultimately, however, the key difference is largely unseen - and hard for me to verify at the early stages - in that the handles on the Elite have an aluminium core (XPE using plastic) and the whole system has a higher breaking strain rating. Both models are limited to a 120kg maximum training weight but as the loads can be quite dynamic, the apparatus is rated to much higher strains as can be seen on the Aerobis website. Note also that climbers consider it very bad practice to clip two karabiners together as the gates can be pushed open if the stems rotate against each other. Nothing to worry about in this context but I'd avoid getting into that habit with the Elite.Both models are well made, easy to set up and have a feeling of quality. The pulley system is, in my limited experience, a useful innovation compared to the TRX brand-leader as you can easily render the pulley inactive by twisting the cords a couple of times, or allow it to flow smoothly which demands good form on the exercises and allows some nice cross-core movements.Time will tell whether the Elite model proves to be more durable but given the commonality, I'd say the XPE offers better value for money. You get almost as much functionality for considerably less cost and have something a couple of hundred grammes lighter for travel purposes.As I am a climber and am familiar with some of the components, I have to admit that this genre of product does strike me as quite expensive. The whole assembly could be replicated with about £35 of climbing & DIY equipment. But you wouldn't get the finesse of this product, nor the instructional material nor the guarantee... nor, ultimately, the convenience of something that works straight out of the bag.The Aerosling Elite comes thoroughly recommended.