The Reason Tracy Anderson Is Still As Famous As Her Clients

You might join a Tracy Anderson class in pursuit of washboard abs, but you’ll stay for the community spirit, unparalleled classes, and the results both physical and mental. Known initially for her dance cardio DVDs (the first of which she released in 2003), she is one of the world’s most renowned trainers, having created a method that truly works (and is much imitated), and attracted devoted high-profile clients, from Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham to Tracee Ellis Ross and Madonna. When you’re as famous as they are, you can afford to train with anyone in the world. Anderson is the woman they trust. 

Sam Anderson

What’s behind such longevity in an industry frequently focused on the next best thing? “I 100 per cent believe that the reason I stay relevant is because I did the work,” Anderson – who radiates good health even over Zoom – tells me. “I worked hard for 10 years, and it was the quality of it [her famous Method] that made it miraculous, which is why it made its way into Madonna and Gwyneth’s lives – it was effective and real.”  

The “work” she describes didn’t solely involve getting her heart rate up. She also means the wealth of research she has carried out: one of Anderson’s studies tracked 150 women over five years. She wanted to fill the “vacant hole in fitness content” with strategy, she says, and so set about understanding the science behind creating a body that is balanced, and how to rectify imbalances. “It’s all about longevity, and becoming physically balanced and healthy – we want to be living our lives to the fullest and healthiest extent. Before [me], there was nothing in fitness that had any strategy behind it at all, so it was up to me to figure out what that experience should look like. And it was a long, painstaking climb.” 

The Tracy Anderson Method targets “accessory muscles”, the smaller muscle groups that, when strengthened, create both definition and tone – and help to balance the body. The dance cardio is still very much a thing, too, and is something else she says was born out of science and research like other elements of her approach. In this new fitness landscape, she has been creating content for her virtual platform, and members receive a new programme (filmed by Anderson herself) every 10 days. “I made the commitment that every week, I am going to show up for my clients and deliver a beginner, intermediate and advanced session in a very raw way – it’s the content they need each week to have that conversation with their bodies,” she says. “And DVDs can’t do that.”