"A bulked-up bottom is not a pretty one." Along with her admonitions to never use weights over 3 pounds because, again, god forbid you get bulky, it's statements like this that make me wonder why this woman continues to get attention as a valid voice in the fitness world.

And running is something Tracy thinks you should never do, since she believes running creates too much bulk on your backside, and "a bulked-up bottom is not a pretty one." she can kiss my marathon running, triathlon competing, cycling bulked up butt.

Well said Runningseq!
Yet another reason why I can't stand that woman.

I mean....Gwyneth looks AMAZING (not so much Madonna, in my opinion - she's fit, but I wouldn't want to look like her), but Tracy Anderson seems like a real wacko.

I find her comments about women getting to bulky to be a bit odd, because she focuses on dancing as a large part of her training, and consistently talks about ballet dancer's bodies. Has anyone ever been/seen a ballet dancer? They always have big legs because of the amount of muscle they acquire. I danced for 14 years (all varieties), and my legs were never bigger then when I was performing all the time. I do, however, agree with her theory that you shouldn't be doing the same routine every day. That's how you over work one area of your body and it can lead to injury.

I think Tracy is the same as any trainer: there are things you'll agree with, and things you won't, and you have to take her advice with a grain of salt and take the bits and pieces that work for you.

She forbids her clients to practice yoga? That's...odd to say the least. I'd much rather do yoga, pilates and go jogging than subscribe to her fancy gym. Ooops, sorry. Studio.

ridiculous, I hope no one will waste their money on tracy's "theories". The price is crazy, the only people I can imagine who will sign up are some non-working trophy millionaire wives. (or teenagers, who are too naive to yet understand)

That's $6190 for HALF A YEAR. Sorry, Tracy, I think I'll go RUNNING in central park and lift weights with my trainer at my gym (which is not cheap either) and still save tons of money, and look great.

Well, I run, lift weights heavier than 3 lbs,and do yoga. Needless to say, our fitness philosophies do not align.

What a load.

This is not a studio I would want to be a part of.

Yay for bulking up! My goal is to have defined muscles, especially in the arms and legs, I find it beautiful. I mean, I don't want to look like a bodybuilder woman but I never will. But I'd rather look like Jessica Biel than Gwyneth Paltrow.

It is still a mystery to me how some personal trainers can be so misinformed.

I will stay at my YMCA. Thank you very much.

I don't understand her "bulky" comments. Madonna has bigger muscles than most men. Her body is completely disgusting and I doubt any woman in her right mind wants to look like her. Gwyneth looks gorgeous yes, but I don't think yoga or the treadmill is Satanic.

There are women who look just as good as Tracy and Gwyneth but does the total opposite of what she recommends sooooo wth is she talking about?

I'm kind of embarassed to admit this, but I broke down and bought her mat workout and dance cardio DVDs after seeing Gwyneth on Oprah. Here's the thing I don't get - if you look at Tracy's body in any one of her many photo shoots on her website or on the DVDs, she's actually pretty muscular. I mean, she looks good, but not any better than any other fitness instructor I see at the gym. I would even say that she has (gasp!) the same type of body as many runners, including myself. The ironic thing is, the skinniest (and least "bulky") people I know are all in my bikram yoga class! So take that, Tracy!

It is bothersome to me that she seems to think there is only one acceptable body type, teeny tiny. I run and lift weights and I definitely have a round ass, but even if I didnt do either I would still have an ass that sticks out because that is my body type. If someone is naive enough to believe her then they are just going to end up frustrated and feel bad about themselves for not being able to achieve something that cannot be achieved.
Most trainers have a pacticular style or workout that they like to endorse, but it is dangerous to spout out b.s. about there being only one perferred way to look. You take 50 people and put them on the same exact workout and diet and you will recieve 50 different results. These things have a way working themselves out though and she wll be exposed for the crap she expouses.

She is a fad. And that price is ridiculous for a gym membership. I got a body close to Jessica Alba's* by running outside and doing weight in my living room. TAKE THAT TRACY

*I am not bragging here, why would I brag anonymously.

So crazy!!! I read an article in W magazine wherein the writer joined Tracey's studio in an attempt to change her body type--- after 6 weeks she got a little smaller, but nothing too drastic like Tracey claims.
I would not join, it's out of my budget and the work outs sound like drudgery. I'll stick with my cardio, pilates, and spin, thanks.

I have a question for all runners on this forum - do you recommend running (treadmil) on an incline or none at all?

Im just getting into running on the treadmill and I find it more challenging running on a incline.

thanks for your help in advance!

Wow. And I thought Sports Club L.A. was $$$

yeaokay:
first, why the tm at all? it's so BORING ! get outside !
second, if you must run on the dreadmill, you shuold put it at at least a 1% incline:

Running on a treadmill feels somewhat easier physically because the ground is being pulled underneath your feet and there's no wind resistance. Running outdoor demands more from your body because you're propelling your body forward stride for stride. Many treadmills are padded, making them a good option if you're overweight or are injury-prone (especially with knee issues) and want to decrease the impact. You can better simulate outdoor running by setting your treadmill at 1% incline.

Being anti-gwyneth, she of no-talent, anything she recommends is something I'll be running far far far from.

runningesq — Excellent response to the treadmill question. I would add that keeping the incline on the treadmill to at least one percent helps keep shin splints at bay.

I dunno, forbidding me to do something makes it that much more alluring. If Gwyneth or Madonna had I body I strove to emulate, then I'd consider this woman's advice. But since I think they both have the physique of a teenage boy, I'll pass.
Besides, I'm sure that there are many J. Lo and Beyonce fans who'd disagree about the "bulked up backside" comment.

I'll stick to my yoga class and weekly run, thankyouverymuch.

It also really disappoints me how Tracy Anderson seems to promote physical attractiveness (or her idea thereof) as being even more important than health or fitness. I would be lying if I didn't say that staying thin was part of the reason why I work out, but it's not the only reason - I also like the feeling of being physically fit. Saying that you should forgo the positive benefits of running just because it might make your muscles slightly bulkier is really sending the wrong message.

I'll gladly take running and yoga any day!!

She's clearly a douche.

Just saw a link to this--Tracy seems to have a past:

http://www.indianapolismonthly.com/article.aspx?id=18612

I do her workputs on DVD and I love them. But I do run once or twice a week for cardio variety but since doing so I have oticed my legs are a little bulkier looking. I do understand what TA means by looking bulky instead of long and lean. Yes dancers are muscular but thin, long and lean looking. There is a difference. I see it in my own body. The studio cost is ridiculous.

God, I can't stand Tracy Anderson. The only reason anyone even listens to her at all is because she's now associated with Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow. Her fitness philosophies are so ridiculous and completely WRONG that I can't believe anyone really buys into them. No running or yoga? Please. When I was running 12-13 miles a day, my butt was definitely shapely and round, but if I wasn't running, I'd have a flabby pancake-flat butt...hmmm, lemme think, which would I rather have?? Women don't bulk up from working out; the only way you can get really big is if you train a LOT (a la Madonna) and take supplements of some sort. And I don't even consider Madonna to be that bulky; she's more ripped than anything else. If you have little body fat, you'll have defined muscles and you'll look more "bulky" than those skinny-fat models that a) don't exercise at all and b) have fat covering their muscles and hiding any definition they would have.

And I also can't believe people would waste $900 a month plus initiation fees to be brainwashed by this chick. I hope her stupid gym (oops, I meant "studio") goes under REALLY fast.

I agree with Shebelle. I'd rather look like Jessica Biel than Gwyneth. I think muscular definition is sexy. Also, I have a little butt, so I love how the treadmill bulks it up.

I run on the threadmill for 2 reasons.... 1) it is pretty hot and humid outside and 2) Where I live the streets are not of concrete or paviment, they are stones and may look very nice but it is a danger if I try to jog there.

What, no yoga? that is just one of the many ridiculous rules surrounding this overpriced, overhyped ripoff! I thought Gwyneth was all about the yoga anyway? jeesh... come to my yoga classes..8 yoga classes for $60 and you can bliss out, get in shape, energize, and reduce stress.

I actually did not find any difference on my butt from running, and I ran about 35 miles per week [I am increasing my mileage now to train for NWM - 16 weeks count down ...]
I think it really depends on your body type.
And running is the best cardio workout for me compare to swim/bike.

lydialee -- which race is NWM?

Alright, I usually let Tracy go on her wacky tips, but telling people not to o running? WTF? When I started running my butt was the FIRST thing that starting going away, and who wants a flat butt? So I had to counteract with a ton of squats. I'll stay with her idea about arms because I used to swim and my shoulders and arms bulk easily with lifting...but the running thing? Sigh, Tracy. That just made me mad. Also, I have the DVD of her cardio dance, and I did it like, 3 times. Mainly because it's just jumping around and doing some moves repetitively for like 45 minutes at a crazy pace that I don't even see anyone pulling off. I think I would do it for like 10 min...and I usually work out 5 days a week so I'm not out of shape. She's starting to lose her (continuing to lose) her credibility FAST. Goodness.

Runningesq -- NWM = Nike Women Marathon. This is a popular race in SF area. They did the random drawing a few months back, and our team got lucky this year [We entered last year, but did not get picked].
It is expected to be around 22,000 participants for both 1/2 marathon and full marathon participant. Race day is Oct 18, 2009.

I think its crazy that she has her clients perform upwards of a 100 reps per exercise. That's not toning. And since when is running bad? The worst thing though is that she focuses only on one "ideal" body type. Everybody can get in shape and look better, but not everyone is going to have her teeny tiny physique. It's important to have your training customized to fit you.

my ass is nice. who likes a teeny flat butt, anyway? my running cycling fit butt is lovely, and my boyfriend think so, too.

Funny,just came back from my morning 8-mile run,plus planning to do my strength training tonight (with at least 10 pounds weights:)...was reading this article thinking how some talentless,clueless people like her even get recognized.I guess being in a right time,in a right place helps...plus having connections and knowing right people.Seems like her studio will be great for some rich,lazy gals who hate running and sweating (due to working out with a full make up) and prefer staying inside air-conditioned studio lifting 2 pounds weights.

As long as you exercise and enjoy what you are doing it doesn't matter what you are doing. If you like running, run. If you like yoga, do yoga. I think Tracy Anderson is trying to give people an alternative to other forms of exercise. If you like the results you are getting then keep doing what you are doing, if not try something new. We are all different and unique and we all have free will to choose what exercise we like doing no matter what any one says. Let's stop hating on other women and support each other.

The people that pay for this advice must be real winners. I would love to look like a twig without any muscle. Especially for $900 a month! WHAT A BARGAIN! Being an athlete, runner, or actually lifting real weights is not going to make you bulky you misinformed babbling idiot!!

I have said this before and I will say it again, do a google search on Tracey she has an interesting past. The cost of the "studio" membership is extremely high, especially when you look at the present economy, I hope that they lose their shirts. From what I can tell her "nothing above 3lbs weight routines" acts more like a weighted cardio and is not weight training. This only works if you put the 100 repetitions in for each move, who has bloody time for that? Secondly, her bit about no running???? Have you seen her body......she has NO butt, to the point that it is not attractive. Also, the bit about no yoga, people who do power yoga and Bikram yoga seriously have some of the best bodies (in terms of muscle definition without being overly bulky). She clearly only cares only about vanity and doesn't strive to promote any kind of fitness level.

Running is a great form of cardio and in case Miss TA never looked at long distance runners, they have some of the thinnest and leanest bodies. Regarding yoga...since when does yoga cause you to bulk up? What's wrong with gaining flexibility, lean flat muscles, better alignment and posture and reduced stress? To trash tried-and-true exercises shows her complete lack of exercise knowledge. I think she's actually encouraging osteoporosis in her clients.

Hey everyone! I have to say I am like Tracy, 5'0 and have had a hard time looking long and lean. I have been working out hard core for 16 yrs., with running, tae bo, spinning, step classes, elliptical, weights, you name it, I have tried it! I am in excellent shape but never had that long, lean look until I started her mat dvd. I have reached amazing results in the past month.
BUT, I still run, do taebo and yoga in conjunction. I love to sweat and feel like I am doing something for myself, my mind and my body. My point is, all you need is $29.95 for her video,not thousands of dollars to achieve results at her studio. It's working for me!

I thought Madonna was a serious yogi....did she stop for Tracy? Cant imagine that...disappointing!

this girl tracy does not no what she is talking about? were did they find her? I guess she was in the right place at the right time.

The initiation fee is a joke! I love physique57 and have seen great results. And they do not charge outrageous initiation fees. The price of classes are fair. I wonder how long this studio will remain in business?!