Lately I’ve been on a quest to get my dancer’s body (or as close to it) again. So I’ve been doing barre workouts, which focus on isometric movements, rather than heavy weights. One of these workouts is the Tracy Anderson Method Mat Workout. Tracy Anderson is the trainer to Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, and she’s got an amazing body. 
I truly believe that if you want to be thin, then you need to look toward people that are thin. If you want to be a body builder, you probably shouldn’t study Tracy Anderson’s Method. She claims that by doing her routines 5-6 days each week. What she FAILS to mention is that in order for her method to work, you also need to incorporate cardio, 60 minutes, 5-6 days a week. She suggests making an ipod playlist that’s 20 minutes long, and changing the type of cardio that you do with each song (jumping rope, skipping on a treadmill, recumbant bike, etc.). Tracy claims that if you do the same motion repetatively (like running), then you’ll “bulk” your muscles. While I’m not so sure about that yet, I do know that isometric exercises work (which is what Tracy’s Method focuses on). She states that her method wakes up your accessory muscles…those muscles that support larger muscle groups, like the thighs and shoulders. When your accessory muscles wake up, it is a painful experience. Trust me. But it’s worth it. So down to the nitty gritty, the fact that Tracy doesn’t cue well didn’t bother me as much this time. I had trouble with the rib cage slides, but only because I was always about a beat behind her when she changed directions. I was able to finish ALL of the non-weighted arm section. IT BURNED something awful! But I was SO proud of myself!! I also did the majority of the weighted arm section…I did wimp out holding up the opposing arm, and switched to 1 pound weights about 3/4 of the way through. My shoulders were ON FIRE! Then it was down to the floor to do more legs and some abs. I actually wish that the abs portion of this workout was longer. I guess that’s what her Post Pregnancy Workout is for! I’ll be doing that TOMORROW!! YAY for muscle exhaustion. I must say that I really enjoyed this workout the second time through. Definitely a keeper!
Tracy’s keys to reshaping and getting a lean, thinner look:
“Instead of over-using the major muscles, I focus on the muscles around them. When the accessory muscles are properly developed, they pull in the larger ones, creating a tinier body structure. In this way you can reshape your body.” “It comes down to whether or not you are a hard worker and someone who puts in 100 per cent. With my workouts, you have to be motivated and consistent.” “Any time you are doing the same movement over and over, you are building and bulking your muscles. It is very important to change your rotations and hit your muscles from different angles.” (http://www.celebritydietdoctor.com/gwyneth-paltrow-reshapes-her-body/)
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I finally got this workout and did it this morning. Great workout!