What Is The Viral Tracy Anderson Method?

For over 20 years, Tracy Anderson has been the go-to fitness trainer for Hollywood stars, known for honing the bodies of everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Madonna. She rose to fame in the early 2000s through her workout DVDs, going on to open her first studio in California and expanding across America – with the first UK outpost opening in the UK in 2024.

Anderson developed a cult following long before Instagram even existed, but in recent years her signature method has gone viral on social media. TikTok is filled with videos of influencers trying their hand at the notoriously tough dance-cardio workout, which has reignited interest in TAM (the Tracy Anderson Method). But it’s also reportedly impacting the atmosphere of classes, prompting a new policy whereby phones are banned for non-members (members, who pay up to £10,000 a year, are still allowed). 

So why is the Tracy Anderson Method still garnering so much attention, decades after it launched? And where can you try it in London?

What Is The Tracy Anderson Method?

Anderson initially trained as a professional dancer while growing up in Indianapolis, but decided to switch her focus to fitness training. She began by testing her signature method on mothers of pupils at a dance school she ran before creating fitness DVDs, going on to open studios across LA and New York. 

The workout quickly became popular among celebrity circles. Anderson famously helped Paltrow train ahead of starring in the first Iron Man film, and the pair have been friends ever since. ‘Her method works so well for me,’ Paltrow told Shape. ‘I’ve seen all these fads come and go, and nothing works for me the way that Tracy’s approach does, so I really stick with it. She’s amazing.’ Madonna was another early client, while Jennifer Lopez relied on Anderson’s workouts to keep her fit for her three-year Vegas residency from 2016-2018. ‘I freestyle dance with Tracy Anderson five times a week,’ she told People in 2016. ‘We’ll incorporate light weights (3 lbs/1.4 kgs) for the arms and moves that focus on the butt and thighs and engage the core.’ Kate Hudson, Oliva Wilde and Victoria Beckham are also fans.

So what does the method actually involve? Set to upbeat music, Anderson’s classes are a blend of dance cardio and mat-based exercises using equipment such as resistance bands and light weights. So far, so normal. But the workout ups the ante by taking place in a heated setting, lasting for either 30, 60 or 90 minutes (beginner, intermediate or advanced) with no set breaks. She describes it as ‘both an art and a science’, designed to target ‘small, accessory muscles’. 

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There are lots of ways this workout is unique. Firstly, instructors are silent, showing clients the workout rather than using verbal cues. ‘There are a ton of studies that support that being in your body with no verbal instructions actually improve physical performance, boost your metabolism, and heighten your coordination,’ Anderson told Women’s Health. ‘It makes sense: when you’re not distracted by what the trainer is saying, you can actually listen to what your body’s telling you. There’s no translating between what you’re hearing and what your body’s doing – it’s all instinct.’

Each workout is choreographed to music, and begins with arms before getting into the sequences. And while there are no dedicated rest periods, Anderson explains, ‘each move involves a dynamic weight transfer on the mat, starting in one position and ending in another. It’s easy to get hung up on getting from A to B, but I challenge my clients to focus on how they’re moving through each weight transfer to engage every part of the body. By staying dynamic and fluid throughout class, you’re heightening your balance, flexibility, coordination, and strength – all while reducing the risks of strain and injury.’

How To Try The Tracy Anderson Method In The UK

There’s only one Tracy Anderson studio in the UK, located within wellness-focused members’ club Surrenne in Knightsbridge. A subterranean space set beneath The Emory hotel, the club has an entire floor dedicated to Anderson’s method, complete with bespoke TA equipment. However you’ll need to be a member to join classes.

Anderson also has a digital platform, where you can access a library of on-demand and live classes – find out more at tracyanderson.com.