TRX suspension training class at Serenity Yoga & Pilates Studio in Iowa City

TRX Classes in Iowa City

Suspension training that uses your own bodyweight to build strength, balance, and core stability. Small, expert-led classes, scaled to your level, in our woman-owned Iowa City studio.

Start with an Orientation See Class Times

Real strength

Every move loads your whole body against gravity, not one muscle at a time.

Core in everything

The straps make your core stabilize every rep, standing or on the floor.

Scaled by one step

Move your feet closer to the anchor and the exercise gets easier; farther, harder. Same class, every level.

Easy on the joints

Bodyweight and straps, no impact, no heavy bar.

Marcie Evans adjusting a student's suspended plank in a TRX class at Serenity in Iowa City

TRX AT SERENITY

Strength training with a therapist’s eye

TRX is the strength class on our schedule. It uses a pair of suspension straps anchored overhead and your own bodyweight as the resistance: rows, squats, lunges, presses, planks, and the dozens of variations in between. Because you set the difficulty with your body angle, a first-timer and a conditioned athlete can work side by side in the same class, each at the right intensity.

It’s the class to pick if you want to get noticeably stronger, if you train hard elsewhere and want a smarter strength day, or if you’ve done our yoga, barre, or reformer Pilates and are ready for something more demanding. It’s also a natural fit for the strength work that supports bone density; see our strength training for osteoporosis prevention if that’s what brought you here.

See TRX Class Times

Class times

TRX meets Fridays at 12:00 PM at our Iowa City studio. Classes stay small on purpose, so reserve your spot ahead of time.

Reserve Your Spot

WHY SERENITY

Three reasons to train here

Therapeutic, scaled to you

Scaled to every body

Movements are modified to your level and any limitations. You choose the angle, we coach the form.

Small groups

Genuinely small groups

You get personal, hands-on attention on every rep, never lost in a crowded, fast-paced room.

Certified Yoga Therapist

25 years of mind-body expertise

Serenity has been teaching movement in Iowa City since 2008, founded by Marcie Evans, a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and exercise physiologist. Strength here is built on alignment, not just effort.

New to TRX? Start with a $35 orientation.

Your first visit is a relaxed, one-on-one new-student orientation for $35, so we can learn your goals and any limitations before your first class. We’ll set up the straps for your height, walk you through the foundational moves, and show you how to scale each one. Beginners always welcome.

Book Your $35 Orientation
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR

Marcie’s Story

Marcie has been teaching mind-body fitness and wellness since 1999, after coming through a 25-year battle with autoimmune disease. Her specialty is helping clients build new strength, flexibility, and neural pathways that lead to pain-free movement, and making sure that movement carries into daily life, sports, work, and the activities they love.

Her students range from age 13 to 100 and include stroke and cancer survivors, autoimmune patients, and amateur and professional athletes. As the only Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) in Iowa City, Marcie brings a depth of training few studios can match.

Marcie Evans, MA, ACSM EP-C, C-IAYT, E-RYT, BCES · Certified Yoga Therapist

Read Marcie's Full Story

TRX, Barre, or Pilates? Pick your strength

They’re three doors into the same building.

TRX is the most demanding: full-body strength against your own weight, with your core working the whole time.

Barre is low-impact, ballet-inspired toning through small, controlled movements.

Mat Pilates and reformer Pilates build deep core control and precision.

Plenty of our students rotate through two or three of them in a week: TRX for strength, barre or Pilates for control and recovery.

What Our Iowa City Students Say

5.0
Based on 43 reviews
K E.
1 month ago
Having Scoliosis makes finding the right corrective exercise program challenging. Marcie Evans is fantastic at modifying exercises so I can strengthen the weaker parts of my body while becoming less dependent on the stronger parts. Right now, I’m using the Pilates reformer to increase my mobility, improve my posture, and build my body awareness. Every session is carefully adapted with a strong focus on proper alignment and proper movement. What I appreciate most is the attention to detail. I’m happy to work with Marcie, who guides me through my workouts.
Jafar Q.
1 month ago
I’ve been taking classes with Marcie for over a year, and she is a phenomenal instructor! The space is welcoming and great for people of all ages and skill levels. I’ve gained so much core strength and flexibility thanks to Marcie’s classes. Highly recommend!
Lori B.
2 months ago
Marcie is an experienced, skilled instructor who tailors our pilates classes to advance our strength and functioning while giving careful attention to our individual needs. Twice per week sessions have made all the difference in my goal to stay independent.
Leann G.
2 months ago
I highly recommend Serenity's Reformer Pilates classes. Marcie considers individual needs and enables everyone to feel successful. I'm happy to have found this studio!
Ruthanne H.
2 months ago
Marcie is an excellent teacher! She is able to adjust exercises for different physical needs or suggest alternate ones for different injuries. The energy in the studio is positive and friendly!
Stacy C.
2 months ago
Marcie is an excellent instructor. She meets you where you are at and provides ways for you to improve. She creates a supportive and encouraging environment
Nicole V.
2 months ago
This is such a lovely space, in a great location (eastside Iowa City). Marcie offers a terrific range of options that meet a variety of client goals, no matter where you're starting from, and her guest instructors are knowledgeable and welcoming. A+!
Sylvia L.
2 months ago
I came to Serenity when I first retired from a job where I had spent a lot of time sitting. I wanted to be able to garden, fly fish and play dog games after retirement. Not only has Serenity helped me to obtain those goals, but I love the classes. I look forward to the classes every week and my knees and hips are better than they were 8 yrs. ago.
Kristin B.
4 months ago
As a yoga teacher and movement coach with more than 20 years of teaching experience, I have a pretty high standard when it comes to classes, instructors, and studio culture. I was excited to find a true aerial class while visiting the area, and it absolutely met, and exceeded, my expectations. The instructor created an environment that felt both challenging and incredibly safe. I was encouraged to try new things, push my edges, and have fun, while always feeling supported and well-guided. The balance of skill-building, clear instruction, and playfulness was excellent. What stood out even more was the sense of community. From the moment I walked in, I felt welcomed. The owner greeted me by name, checked in throughout the evening, and made me feel like I belonged, even as a first-time visitor. The other students were warm and welcoming, and by the end of class we were laughing and joking together as a group. The small class size (a maximum of five hammocks) allows for plenty of individualized attention, which made the experience feel both personal and supportive. I left feeling accomplished, energized, and already wishing I lived closer so I could come back regularly. If you're looking for an aerial class that is professionally taught, welcoming, challenging, and genuinely fun, I highly recommend it.
Mendi S.
9 months ago
If you are looking for intentional, functional, movement to build strength and mobility Serenity is the place. Marcie's knowledge and attention to detail has helped me reduce my pain and keeps me strong and moving.

TRX FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

TRX is suspension training: a pair of adjustable straps anchored overhead, with your bodyweight as the resistance. You pull, push, squat, lunge, and plank with the straps supporting part of your weight, which builds strength and core stability at the same time.

No. The difficulty of every TRX exercise is set by your body angle, so a beginner and an experienced athlete can take the same class at different intensities. Your instructor scales each move to you.

It’s low-impact. There’s no jumping and no heavy bar; the load is your own bodyweight, and the straps let you reduce it whenever you need to. Tell your instructor about any injuries or limitations before class.

Comfortable workout clothes you can move in, athletic shoes, and a water bottle. The straps and everything else are provided.

TRX is a full-body strength class built around suspension straps and bodyweight. Barre is ballet-inspired, low-impact toning through small, controlled movements. Both build strength; TRX is the more demanding of the two.

At our studio at 610 Eastbury Drive, Suite #2, Iowa City. Directions and parking here.

LET’S GET STARTED

Ready to get stronger?

Spots in our TRX classes are limited; our classes stay small on purpose. Start with a $35 new-student orientation at our Iowa City studio.

Start with an Orientation See the Full Class Schedule

Explore more at Serenity: Barre · Pilates · Yoga