emclinux

Intro: This is a build along for my Suspension Trainer that I use. There are other instructions found on the internet about how to make these and most of these steps are very similar to them. My difference is that I don't like to use knots when other methods are available because how much a knot will reduce the break strength of the nylon webbing (sometimes as high as a 50% reduction in strength) so all the joining of straps will be done by sewing them. If you have any questions about this please reply and I will answer as soon as I can. List of materials: 2 cargo straps 1" wide X 10+ feet with cam buckles (Photos taken soon of these). These can be found in any home improvement and most department stores. 1 cargo strap or nylon strap 1" wide and 10+ feet long. 1" PVC pipe. (I got a 5' long one at the local home improvement store for $2. For this you only need 1 foot of pipe) List of tools: Scissors Hacksaw (for cutting the PVC pipe) Lighter (To seal the edges of the straps) Sewing Machines Nylon upholstery thread Step 1: The daisy chain. Lets get building. One one of the Cam buckle straps measure 8 feet of the strap and make a cut (my cam buckle straps were 13 feet long and that leaves me with 5 feet of strap for the handle. If you cant get a cam buckle strap that long just get an extra 1" wide strap (about an extra $3)). When you do cut this you to measure from the end without the cam buckle as the cam buckle will be our adjustment for the handle. Now fold the 8 foot strap in half and put a needle in the bottom loop about 3 inches from the bottom to hold the fold in half while we sew it. Sewing this is very important to use the right thread (do not use cotton or polyester thread or it will break). For the sewing of the lines you will start at 1/8 of an inch in from the edge of the strap and sew forward to 1/8 of an inch from the other edge. Set the machine to reverse and sew back to the beginning and go forward once more.This will make 3 stitches on top of each other. Finish off the line by sewing in the same place about 5 times and remove from the machine. It should look like the above. Note: Im not the greatest at the sewing machine. Now for the other end we need to join the 2 cut end into a loop. To do this over lap the ends about 3 inches and pin them together. Now to join these ends we will need to make a box with an X in it for the stitch to make it strong. I usually do each line 2 times for this stitch. Ok now its all down hill from here, Take a ruler or a tape measure and mark a line every 4 inches from your first line stitch all the way to the box. Then sew the lines just like the first line forwards, reverse and forwards again. The end result should look like the following This daisy chain that you have just created will have carabiners at the top and the bottom and will be used to mount the suspension trainer on a tree or monkey bars or what ever/where ever you decide. COMMING SOON: The handles

Rebel: I think Im going to have to take some time to look up half that stuff but that ecig thing sounds cool. I may have to try that one. Do you have any instructions for that or did you just start making?

Ahh the treadle powered devices of yesterday. I don't know of a more effecent way of harnessing human movement to power a device. Good luck on the shirts Going to use EL wire (I think its called) for that? I can sew also be im not great. I have never knitted (kinda want to try I like knots and weaves) and have worked with chainmail also. Did you just bend the rings or go all crazy and rivet them too? Come to think of it I may try chainmail again for the fun of it.

We have any DIYers or Makers here. If so what have you made/done recently? I recently made a 1/2 inch rope out of jute twine by making a rope walk between by garage and tree in the the yard and making the spreader and strand twister. I also made a stuffed animal net for my daughters room using #18 nylon masons twine and dyed it pink to match. Found a Keurig K65 coffee maker with issues on Freecycle and was able to get it fixed (power switch had a short.) and it runs like new. Make a TRX like suspension trainer using nylon tie-down straps and PVP pipes

Im on the edge of Fishers, Indy and Carmel (I live in fishers, Indy is officially across the street and carmel is 1/2 miles away down the street)

I know this is an old thread but I wanted to put in my 2 cents. If you look at the story behind the TRX the original was made using straps and parts from other things laying around while the creator was on a deployment. With all fairness and after looking at several different ones the TRX is a very solid piece of equipment and im not trying to knock it. If you can afford it by all means go for it and im sure you would be happy. I made one my self using 2 10' long 1" thick cam buckle nylon straps ($5.80 at Walmart) and a 13' X 1" strap (Ratchet tie-down for$3.50 at Walmart) and a 1" pvc pipe ($2.00 at menards) and it works fine. The main things you have to think about when making one is that using knots weaken the straps by up to 50%, any load on the straps above 75% of the breaking strength permanently damages the strap (example: 600lbs breaking strength with a knot is now 300lbs breaking strength with permanent damage happening at 225lbs) . Im planning on remaking my diy trx not using knots and instead sewing the straps but even with my diy I still get a good workout and am quite happy.

My thing is Audiobooks or Podcasts. I was a music listener back in the day until I realized that I chose the same music that I have listened to before so I knew the music and words so after a short period of time all I would think about is how much I hated running. Then one day I tried an audiobook and next thing I know im 3 miles down the road and want to keep going to see what happens next in the story. My only rule was that I can only listen to the book when I was running so if I wanted to know what was in the next chapter I would have to run to find out.

Fearless: The story of Adam Brown. It has made me stop and do the right thing rather than leave it to some one else. Also that nothing is out of reach. Just one ineradicable story.

I decided to get back into shape. There was a time not that long ago when I was in decent shape and woke up in the morning and didnt hurt and was able to keep up with life. Im not sure exactly what happened but what ever it was it started slowly and next thing I know im getting fatter and lazy, loose my breath going up a flight of stairs and my knees and back hurt again. For some background information on me between last time and this time I have become a father (scariest, most stressful and single GREATEST thing ever that has ever happened to me), lost my job only to get my dream job(Linux Administrator) a few weeks later and not exercising at all. I have made a goal to attend Air Assault school (Im in the National Guard) within a year (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlxJtHpVqnE) and get my E5 Sergeant stripes as soon as possible (That means being able to pass an Army PT Test) Good night all Brad

So I seen someone today that I have not seen in a month and the first thing he asked is if I was working out. Told him I was. I tell you this was a huge motivator.

If you guys have ever seen Star Wars and liked them the Darth Bane series is awesome.

Dont think I have read them. I also want to make known this book. Its one hell of a true story and quite motivational. Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 http://www.amazon.com/Lone-Survivor-Eyewitness-Account-Operation/dp/0316067598

So im sitting here reading my favorite book and just wanted to see what other peoples favorites are. Mine is Jurassic Park. I love the imagery, adventure and science in this book.

Welcome, I was in the same boat as you for a while (265 at 5'10") and through this site and a lot of work I was down to 180 before my life got a little hectic. Good job on the going to the gym and trying to get into shape. It will change your life and become addictive after a while.