I thought this arm workout from celeb trainer Tracy Anderson (as in Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow‘s trainer!) was going to be wimpy because it only uses three-pound weights, but I just tried it out and it was really good! According to Tracy, “Conventional moves won’t deliver the sleek definition that most women want. You have to challenge muscles from different angles.”
It’s always semi-bugged me that Tracy Anderson advises women to lift with light weight because I think a lot of women are afraid of weights in general and don’t realize how good they are for you, your bones, weight loss, etc. However, her notion that “lighter weights and higher reps are key to chiseling your arms in a very sexy, detailed way” is interesting. And it is a lot of work, as you will see if you do this video. Not wimpy. Tracy says as you become stronger, you just tack on additional reps—up to 10 at a time. Her clients often eke out 100 reps per move in a session.
However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the time Gwyneth Paltrow was on Oprah and did the whole segment talking about her workouts/eating with Tracy Anderson still haunts me. She’s just like US you guys! hee.
Thanks for sharing! I’m going to try this! I’ve been wanting strong arms – but more like Michelle Obama than Madonna. 😉
Amy: there is no way in the universe this is all Madonna does to get those guns! you will definitely get more Michelle less Madonna. 🙂
I like these moves! I just do all the standard arms moves and get bored. These look more interesting. But this Tracy chick is hysterical to watch. Those shoulder shrugs definitely work, but she makes that super-sexy face while she’s doing them and I just start laughing.
Full disclosure time: I love Gwyneth Paltrow. I even subscribe to GOOP! I know, I know. But I just like her.
Chris: The moves are pretty good! I have another free weight arm workout I do, but these moves are all totally new to me & it’s good to mix it up. Plus, your arms will be sore if you do this to fatigue. Seriously. And Tracy is so funny to watch… She has a bunch of workout dvds too, which I assume are even more funny. I can’t get down with entire workout dvds though. I get too bored. I just want to do my own thing + quick things like this video.
And as much as I heart you, Chris, I just cannot co-sign regarding GOOP. I have tried, but I just end up feeling like there are very important things I am not doing, like simultaneously meditating/detoxing/learning to accept my parents.
Good thing you’re only using 3 lb weights…imagine the damage you could do with the “forehead sweep” if you got the move just a little bit wrong!! Yikes!
Kris, I actually did this with 5 pound weights at first, but don’t tell Tracy because a woman should never workout with more than three pound weights. (Insert eye roll.) But hee, seriously with the potentially dangerous forehead sweep. I did it looking in the mirror and actually started laughing at myself.
Valerie – yeah, I know, GOOP is kind of ridiculous. Especially when she’s telling people to stay at the most expensive hotels in Madrid. Like, “Gwen, honey, there’s a recession on.” But I like her for her work, more than for GOOP. But I do laugh when I read those newsletters.
Chris: GOOP makes me feel like I’m failing at life, plain & simple. She’s too perfect! I think that’s why I like Wendy Williams. I like celebs who are not afraid to show their sloppy sides. 😉 Plus, she’s rather humorless? But she can be a good actress. Sometimes. Still mad about the Sylvia Plath movie though. Whole other topic!
Yayy, thank you for posting! i’m so trying this!
yep: try it! I’ve been doing it since I posted. I’m curious what you will think… the only down side is that since the weight are light you have to do kind of a lot of reps so they whole workout takes a while, but it works!
[…] Workouts at Tracy Anderson […]