Actor and Golden Globe winner Tracee Ellis Ross loves to sweat it out — “I love sweating; it’s one of the ways that I process everything that goes on during the week and move it through my body,” Ross told POPSUGAR in 2017 — and since suffering a knee injury in 2012, she’s been a dedicated follower of the Tracy Anderson Method.
“I’m incredibly competitive and I like to compete with myself and get better at things and do them correctly — that really works in the Tracy Anderson Method,” Ross told POPSUGAR. Also, the workout purposely changes every 10 sessions, which Ross appreciates: “I love that! I never get bored.”
In a recent Instagram post, Ross showed off three different TAM workout sessions all featuring the same shirt-drenching routine. Throughout the video, she uses resistance bands strung along the studio ceiling and a multifunctional staff (i.e. a long wooden pole) and anchoring system (including a plyo box of sorts). From modified donkey kicks to curtsy squats — and some dance wiggles in between — Ross shows off her impressive endurance while clearly having a good time.
You’ve likely heard about the Tracy Anderson Method before, as it’s a favorite among plenty of A-listers — including Gwyneth Paltrow, who partnered with Anderson to prepare for her role in “Iron Man” after giving birth to her second child. The method is all about targeting the small accessory muscles by doing lots of reps with light weights. Similar to Pilates and barre, the movements are typically low-impact and can be beneficial for strengthening muscles and improving posture — making it great for Ross, who suffers from knee pain after a running injury.
The dance-cardio and resistance-training classes also happen in a hot and humid room (specifically, 86 degrees with 69 percent humidity), which is no problem for Ross. “I love being in the heat; we work out in a really hot room there, and it really works for me,” she told us in 2017.
Another unique feature of the classes? Anderson provides no verbal instruction throughout, choosing instead to crank up the jams, encouraging participants to follow along using visual cues alone. “It’s always really loud music and great music, which I love,” Ross said.
Many flocked to the comments section of Ross’s recent post to share their plans to re-create the workout from home. You can do so by signing up for Tracy Anderson’s online studio, which allows you to stream her classes on demand and live starting at $90 per month after a 14-day free trial. But one Instagram user is thinking outside the box: “You will find me with my broom doing this in the kitchen.” We love to see it (and are fully planning on trying the same thing).
Image Source: Stefanie Keenan / Getty