Okay, so I’m not pregnant, nor have I been…so why am I doing a post-pregnancy workout? Because I love the idea of changing your muscular structure. Tracy Anderson has truly capitalized on her fantastic physique (I suppose the fact that she trains Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna doesn’t hurt, either) and her Method. I honestly cannot say that I truly understand her method, or how it’s revolutionary, I really enjoy her workouts. My previous experience with Tracy Anderson Method was the Mat Workout, and I actually think that I may like this workout better…. The workout is primarily an abdominal workout…and HOLY COW does it work your abs from every single angle possible!! I was actually quite surprised at how difficult the exercises were. She incorporates planks, pikes and traditional (as well as not-so traditional) exercises. Of the approximately 45 minute workout, the ab section took up about 30-ish minutes. My abs WILL be sore tomorrow. I did wonder how a woman would be able to do this 6 weeks after giving birth…but I suppose if you had a relatively steady workout (including abs) prior to the pregnancy, you would be okay…just take it slow. The workout moves on from abs (which were somewhat lacking in her Mat workout) to arms and legs. The legs segment actually gives a good burn…but I felt it more in my supporting leg than in the working leg. Strange. She does incorporate some creative movement through the leg portion…then it’s on to arms. The arms segment includes Tracy’s signature “dancy” arms…and you WILL be feeling your shoulders the next day! LOL She moves on to 3lb weights–Tracy claims that anything more than 3lbs creates bulk…I’m not entirely sure that I agree, however. I have been lifting for some time and have noticed my muscles getting smaller rather than bigger. Women just don’t bulk up. It’s really that simple. All in all, this was a good workout.
I do have a few pet peeves…first of all, Tracy doesn’t do a true warm up. You sit on the floor and bend, stretch and flex. It feels good, but doesn’t honestly warm up your muscles. the ab work does that. On the same thread, she does a “cool down”, where my heart rate actually increased from the plies. This workout is also lacking a good stretch segment. The last gripe that I have is her cueing…she’s so soft-spoken! I will say that this workout did a better job than the Mat workout, however.
Overall, I really enjoyed both the Tracy Anderson Method workouts, and will definitely be incorporating them into my weekly routine. I do think that the workouts compliment each other: one is heavy on arms and legs…the other is heavy on abs. They would work VERY WELL for someone who wants to alternate days. I will be interested to see if my skin can come back to the muscle as Tracy claims…time will tell! In the meantime, this workout is a keeper.
