Celebrities live in a different world—one filled with private chefs, personal trainers, and resources most people can only dream about.
But what happens when a certified personal trainer decides to test out a celebrity-favorite workout for herself?
In a detailed review published on theSkimm, fitness instructor Brittany Hammond shares her month-long experience with the Tracy Anderson Method—the dance-inspired cardio workout beloved by actress Tracee Ellis Ross and originally popularized by Gwyneth Paltrow in the early 2000s.
What started as curiosity turned into genuine results and, surprisingly, a workout she actually looked forward to doing.
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Why Tracee Ellis Ross Inspired This Fitness Experiment
Hammond describes Ross as someone who “oozes confidence” and embodies self-love in every public appearance. As a biracial, unmarried, and childless woman herself, Hammond views Ross as a powerful example of owning your life on your own terms.
Following Ross on social media, Hammond noticed the actress frequently posting about various workouts, but one particular method caught her attention: the Tracy Anderson Method.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
What the heck is this odd kicking and flailing workout? If Tracee is that fit from these workouts, I need to try them, too.
Despite her initial skepticism, Hammond’s admiration for Ross motivated her to sign up for an online membership and give this unconventional training method a fair shot.
What Exactly Is The Tracy Anderson Method?
Created by dancer-turned-fitness guru Tracy Anderson, this workout system gained mainstream attention when Anderson partnered with Gwyneth Paltrow in the early 2000s. The method focuses on cardio-heavy movements combined with targeted muscular conditioning using light weights.
For Hammond’s experiment, minimal equipment was required: light hand weights ranging from one to three pounds and 1.5-pound ankle weights. The online platform offers three difficulty levels—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—with one new workout released weekly at each level.
Intermediate and advanced classes build upon beginner foundations, allowing practitioners to progress throughout the week. Additional elective classes like cardio dance provide variety for members seeking supplemental training options.
The First Workout: Confusion Mixed With Comedy
Hammond started with the guided beginner class, which includes instructor breakdowns explaining proper form and technique. This proved essential, as the regular workouts themselves contain no verbal instruction—just music.
For someone accustomed to talking clients through exercises as a group fitness instructor, this silence felt particularly challenging at first.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
The workout was just 30 minutes, but boy were my arms and buns on fire when I was done. Yet it could have been a comedy routine: I was rolling around on my floor and kicking my legs every which way, getting myself into all kinds of positions while giggling and asking myself, ‘What the hell am I doing?’
The instructor’s no-nonsense approach in the breakdown video added another layer of intimidation. Hammond recalls the instructor essentially saying if your leg position doesn’t match hers, you’re doing it wrong.
Then there were those ankle weights. Hammond questions who invented such “torturous things,” noting that lifting leg weight alone proves difficult without adding extra resistance.
A Professional Trainer’s Important Caveat
Before diving deeper into her experience, Hammond offers crucial advice as a certified fitness professional: Don’t choose a workout simply because celebrities endorse it.
Find a fitness program that works for you. Because if you don’t enjoy it, you won’t stick with it. What’s good for one person—particularly a celebrity who likely has access to resources the rest of us only dream of—won’t necessarily be a fit for you.
This perspective matters. Celebrities often have advantages unavailable to average exercisers: personal chefs preparing optimized nutrition, trainers providing one-on-one attention, and flexible schedules allowing recovery time.
Hammond emphasizes that consistency comes from enjoyment, not obligation or celebrity imitation.
From Skeptical To Sold: Results After One Month
After that confusing first session, Hammond wasn’t immediately convinced she understood the Hollywood appeal. The workout emphasized movement, flow, and body connection—aspects she appreciated—but would actual physical results follow?
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
One month later, the answer was definitive: yes.
Hammond experienced noticeable improvements across multiple areas:
- Core strength: Significant improvements in abdominal stability and control
- Glute development: Noticeably firmer, stronger buttocks
- Arm definition: More chiseled upper body appearance
- Mental engagement: Actually looked forward to workouts instead of defaulting to couch time
Perhaps most surprisingly, the initially frustrating lack of verbal instruction became one of Hammond’s favorite aspects. Without constant talking, she developed a better mind-body connection and felt more present during movement.
With just me and the music, I felt like I had a better mind/body connection, and I was able to let go and enjoy it. I’m sure I was doing some of it wrong—especially the dance moves—but I was having fun and I felt like I was in the groove.
The Bottom Line: Finding Your Fitness Match
Hammond acknowledges that while she “vibed” with her celebrity idol’s favorite workout, individual experiences will vary dramatically. Her professional recommendation? Try trendy workouts if curiosity strikes, but maintain realistic expectations.
She compares fitness exploration to dating: sometimes love happens at first try, sometimes you need to explore other options. Neither outcome reflects personal failure—just compatibility.
The Tracy Anderson Method worked for Hammond because it aligned with her preferences for movement variety, musical accompaniment, and full-body engagement. Someone else might find those same qualities frustrating or boring.
If you want something simple that actually works, this is one of the most effective tools I’ve used to build strength, conditioning, and endurance without needing a full gym setup.
- Full-body training with one weight using swings, squats, and presses
- Solid cast iron build that feels stable and lasts for years
- Comfortable grip that makes high-rep workouts easier to handle
For those considering celebrity-endorsed workouts, Hammond’s experience offers valuable perspective: approach with curiosity rather than expectation, give methods fair trial periods, and prioritize personal enjoyment over famous endorsements.
Fitness effectiveness ultimately depends less on who recommends a program and more on whether you consistently show up for it.
