Metamorphosis by Tracy Anderson

Metamorphosis by Tracy Anderson
Has anyone tried Metamorphosis by Tracy Anderson? I am a big fan of the Tracy Anderson Method and when I’m diligently doing it – I see results. What about you?

If you are new to the Tracy Anderson Method, a good place to start is with Tracy Anderson's 30 Day Method Book. (It comes with a DVD that teaches you the intro cardio and she demonstrates the 'muscular structure' movements so you can easily follow along.) The 30 Day Method is a boot camp style program with menus, recipes, cardio and muscular structure work for each day. It's a great way to get quick results and get a sense of if the Tracy Anderson method is the right fit for you. It's challenging but very representative of the method. You can check it out by clicking Tracy Anderson's 30-Day Method: The Weight-Loss Kick-Start that Makes Perfection Possible




Have you heard of the new Metamorphosis program offered by Tracy Anderson? This Metamorphosis intrigues me. I feel that there is a lot of free material or older cardio and muscular structure instruction online, on DVD and in her books so that it would be a while before one would need to take it to the next level with this Metamorphosis program but I am very curious and would love to check it out.

If you are new to the Tracy Anderson Method - I have tons of info and reviews on the method on this site.  You can read a few of my reviews of the method here - Mat Workout Review and Arms Webisode Review as well as links to other Tracy Anderson Method info HERE.

It appears to be divided up and specifically targeting various body types depending on which part or parts of your body you tend to store fat and gain weight.

The Meta Metamorphosis plan is targeted into four body type groups:

Omnicentric – if you gain weight all over your body – this is the one you would get. The Tracy Anderson Method for Omnicentric body types will help to firm and shape and pull in skin all over.
Hipcentric – for women that have a smaller waist but store fat in the hips and thighs, this series works to attack cellulite, pull in thighs and slim the hip and thigh area.

Abcentric – if you tend to store fat and gain weight in your belly or midsection area, the Tracy Anderson Abcentric workout would be the one for you. This is made to pull in the stomach, work the abs and get the famous sleek and feminine definition that Tracy Anderson is known for.

Glutcentric – if you have a saggy or shapeless bottom – this is the workout that will target your bum and lift and shape a sagging rear end. Tracy goes after your cellulite and creates a clear distinct lift between your butt and thighs.

I'd love it if she had a specific section targeting arms as I think the long lean arms that her workouts produce are one of the coolest things about the method. However, I am assuming the arms will get targeted with each of these four targeted workouts for the various body types.

Tracy Anderson has a loyal legion of celebrity fans – Zooey Deschanel, Kristin Davis, Courteney Cox, and most famously Gwyneth Paltrow among many other models and actresses. She really does transform bodies.

Tracy recently released a book the 30 Day Method with a DVD to transform your body. Is that not enough? I think if you feel that you have hit a plateau or are stagnating, you may want to take it to the next level and incorporate some new targeted workouts and eating plans. For beginners, the Mat Workout DVD, the Dance Cardio DVD and the book with the DVD are all excellent ways to get started and you will see changes in your body.

It looks like the Metamorphosis system is a 90 day program that will take you to the next level. As with any workout and fitness regiment, it’s important to change it up and keep challenging your muscles and mind. The new system will offer new combinations I am guessing that will take you from plateaus to new heights. However, I won’t be sure until I see and review it first hand that it would be necessary to purchase the 90 Day Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis program – the other DVDs, webisodes and book program may be enough. If you have tried this and had serious results and could compare it to the previous Tracy material – we’d love to hear about it.

Has anyone tried this new Tracy Anderson series or any element of it? If you want to contribute a review- please leave a comment and if you have reviewed it elsewhere – link back to your review in the comments! Will you try the Tracy Anderson Metamorphosis program?

Ballet DVD Review: Ballet Class Intermediate and Advanced with David Howard

Ballet DVD Review: Will Ballet Class with David Howard Help you Shape Up?

I’m always on the search for the perfect ballet DVD. I have dance training but am by no means advanced or expert. Also, it has been a long time so when I’m searching for ballet DVDs, I’m looking for something that I can do now but that I can work with and will challenge me long term too. If you are looking for a good ballet DVD to sculpt your muscles and get a dancer’s body, read on to see if this one might work for you.

In summary,  Ballet Class: Intermediate & Advanced is one that I first tried on netflix and then purchased it because I felt like it was the closest thing to taking a real class that I’d found.

The DVD is taught in a traditional class setting by renowned ballet master and soloist David Howard. The music is classical piano like you’d find in a normal ballet class. I personally don’t like when I do a ballet DVD and the music isn’t classical but instead a new age or electronic music.

Mr. Howard teaches the class to a small class of students featuring a couple of former American Ballet Theatre dancers. These are real dancers going through a REAL ballet class. It’s great because as he is correcting body placement on the dancers, you are made aware of these adjustments and can make them yourself.

The class starts just as most ballet classes do, at the barre with plies and goes on through tendus and the rest of the exercises ballet dancers typically do ending with grande battements and a stretch at the barre to condition muscles and practice technique for the center work.
I found some of the barre exercises complicated but not so complicated or so fast that I couldn’t follow along somewhat at the beginning and as I learned them – I found them to be easy to follow but a very good workout allowing me to focus on more lift, better placement and extension.

I wouldn’t recommend this to individuals with no former ballet training as Mr. Howard does not teach the basic positions or exercises. Just like in an intermediate class, you are expected to know the basic terminology. It wouldn’t be a worthwhile workout if you are simply following along without some knowledge of how the movements work, placement and which muscles are working.

Following the barre, Mr. Howard leads the class in an adagio. Again, if you are a beginner, this may be challenging. However, it is very similar to an adagio one would find in an advanced beginner ballet class.

Mr. Howard leads the class (and you) in some center work including some turning work, some combinations and a series of jumps that I found made my heart rate soar. I found a couple of the faster combinations with jumps took me some time to get. It’s great because you can go back on the DVD to the beginning of the combination in most cases making it easy to re-watch and study the movements that are challenging.


Like any ballet class, you can really go at your own pace and modify the movements to your skill level. I found myself sweating during the workout, especially during the barre work, and during the jump series at the end of the workout. More advanced dancers will probably find the class easier but can make modifications to make it more difficult for their needs.
I noticed as I learned the exercises after a few times of doing the ballet class DVD, I actually was working harder as I was able to focus on extension, body placement and on really pushing myself.

The negatives I find with this ballet DVD are these:

• It is very dated – the style, the clothing, the color and quality of the DVD – it’s not sleek and modern
• Floor space – for the barre portion – you may use a small area and a chair or counter top but for the center work, a bit more of an open space is needed. 8 x 8 would be the minimum that I think would be comfortable for the center floor combinations and a large room would be ideal as Mr. Howard does lead the class in some “virtuoso” leaping movements across the floor. You can of course make modifications to suit the amount of space you have.
• I also wish that there were updated webisodes to supplement the center work to mix it up as it would be fun to do some different combinations after a while.

However, for me – the “Ballet Class Intermediate & Advanced with David Howard” DVD had far more pros than cons. I also liked David Howard as an instructor. You could try the ballet class for beginners if you haven't had much ballet experience. He's obviously a renowned dancer and knows what he is talking about - the dancers have beautiful, slim bodies and he encouraged me to push myself and be aware of small changes I could make to improve the exercises.

The Ballet Class DVD started with into and then went into the following barrework:
1. Plies
2. Tendu from First position
3. Tendu from Fifth position
4. Degage
5. Rond de jambe
6. Frappe
7. Fondue
8. Rond de jambe en l'air
9. Stretching
10. Grand Battement
After this, Howard has one of his dancers shoe you how to properly put on pointe shoes before going to the center work.
11. Adagio
12. Releve and Developpe
13. Pirouette en dehors
14. Pirouette en dedans
15. Allegro combination - mostly jumps
16. Allegro combination 2
Then the dancers demonstrate what they call virtuoso variations where they are doing leaps or other exercise across the floor- if you have the space, you could do these, otherwise you can skip them
17. Grand Battements at the center
The combinations are not terribly complicated which I found good as it allows you to focus more on technique and placement. Another benefit is that each combination is separated by chapter so you can skip or replay them easily as desired.

If you do it daily, you will see changes in your body. It’s a great way to get a long, lean, dancer physique by doing actual moves that dancers do in a ballet class. To lose weight, it would be necessary to add in diet modifications but you will still see changes in tone, and the fit of your clothes by just doing the ballet DVD alone over time.

Which ballet DVDs have you tried and liked? I’m always looking for new ballet DVDs to try. David Howard also has a "Ballet Class for Beginners" which I have not tried. Let me know if you have tried it and if you saw results. I had also tried the NYC Ballet Workout DVD which I didn't love along with the Elements ballet DVD which I review in another post. I have recently tried the Ballet Bootcamp DVD taught by Jessica Sherwood. I liked some sections of the ballet boot camp DVD and disliked others. It didn't feel like a true class overall. However, the choreography for the center work in the end of the DVD is great and I have actually added that and a few other sections of Ballet Boot Camp with Jessica Sherwood to my home ballet class routine. I have not yet tried Ballet Boot Camp 2 so I can't give a review on that one yet. Now that I have been doing the Ballet Class Intermediate and Advanced with David Howard for a while, I am looking for another similar format ballet class to alternate with it so that I'm not doing the exact same class every day.

We would love to hear your ballet DVD reviews in the comments!

Element Ballet Conditioning Workout DVD Review

Is the Element Ballet Conditioning Workout a good workout to get a dancer’s physique?

Will it help you lose weight? Is it an enjoyable DVD? Is it okay for beginners?

I hope I can help answer some of those questions in this review.

The DVD is set in a beautiful outdoor setting, in the grass with the ocean in the background – very calming. The only equipment you need is a basic chair. This can be a dining room chair, a folding chair – anything that will offer you support like a ballet barre. It would also be useful to have a mat for the floor portion of the DVD.

The music is not music that you would normally find in a ballet video, which for me was a negative. The music has more of a new age or yoga feel. I prefer classical ballet music for ballet workouts.

It is done with a voiceover – the instructor performs the moves but explains and encourages over the music clearly. Her voice is soothing and positive. I didn’t prefer this format but I think some people would like it.

This workout begins with a warm-up and stretch to get you ready for the muscle work that is to come. Again, it is peaceful and has an uplifting tone.

The real work begins with a series of leg exercises – many are classic ballet exercises – plies, tendus and so forth but she also leads many modified but ballet-inspired repetitions. The instructor explains each exercise and demonstrates so that even if you are not experienced, it is easy to follow the movements. The leg series is very intense. I noticed a deep burning in my quad and hamstring area. It seems like many of her exercises (the non-ballet barre exercises) were designed to really work the large thigh and leg muscles like the quadriceps. The workout is very intense and even with dance training and as someone who has worked out, I felt a major burn as I did these reps. Just when you think you can't do anymore, you keep going and take it to another level. I really do like the intensity of that.

However, these are not muscles I want to overwork as I think it creates bulk in my body. This may be different for you. The next day, I definitely felt strain in those muscles confirming that this was where the most work was spent during this workout.

There was also abdominal work and core work that was good as well as a series of ballet jumps. These should get your heart rate going and if done properly, will build and strengthen those leg muscles over time.

I must note that the instructor had a beautiful, very fit, healthy body but it didn’t look to me like a classic lean, long dancer physique. It seemed that her thigh area was very toned, and very developed. Based on that, and the fact that I felt the quad and hamstring muscles being the primary focus, this workout lost points for me there. I would rather develop leaner muscles in my legs so for me this made the workout one that I wouldn’t make part of my regular routine.

If you are looking to develop your leg muscles and like the strong more gymnast looking body, this workout would be an excellent addition to your regiment. As mentioned, for me – the focus on those thigh and leg muscles and the building of them wasn’t what I was looking for at all. If you like a serene, encouraging workout in a beautiful setting – this definitely has that going for it. I prefer a more traditional ballet class format with the music, setting and instructor and bodies that this option offers. 

Will you lose weight? Like any ballet-based workout, over time if you do it daily and consistently – you will see changes to your body. You won’t necessarily see a weight loss but you will see inches lost and your shape change. If you add in modifications to your diet, your weight loss will be much quicker and more noticeable. That’s my review of Element: Ballet Conditioning. It's very affordable, so that is a plus. What about you? Have you tried it? What do you think? You can click here and scroll down a bit to see a sample clip that will give you an idea if the workout will suit you. I prefer the Tracy Anderson Method - for my review on that, click Tracy Anderson Method Here

I hope my Element Ballet Conditioning workout DVD review was helpful and look forward to hearing what you think is the best ballet DVD.

Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD: Taking it to the Next Level

Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD Taking it to the Next Level

In this post, I thought we could discuss some tips for taking the Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD to the next level. As you can see from past posts: Tracy Mat Workout which has a full review of the Mat Workout DVD and Tracy Arm Webisode Review, I am a fan. This is one of the first DVDs that I wake up wanting to do. It gives this good burn kind of feeling, especially the arm portion. It makes me feel like I did something good today. It’s not hurting that my arms are looking more toned either.

After a while though, you may start to feel like you aren’t pushing yourself anymore – and that is the enemy to the workout. So, I thought I’d share a few things that I have done to increase the intensity for myself or to get past plateaus. I’d love to hear any of your ideas on how you’ve changed things up in the comments.

Add ankle weights

Add small ankle weights during the leg portions. I actually leave them on for the whole time as it doesn’t affect the arm and standing ab sections but I find them beneficial for all of the leg series and the lying ab series.

1 or 1.5 lb ankle weights are best. The Tracy Anderson method is designed to avoid bulking so the last thing you’d want to do is add crazy heavy ankle weights but she had advised that you can use 1 or 1.5 lb weights for another leg webisode series she has done giving it the okay.

In addition to the obvious benefit of having extra weight bearing against your lifts in the various rotations – I found an added benefit that the weights kept my movements more focused and created an awareness of proper placement that I hadn’t noticed before, especially in the lying on the mat legs portion.

Work in the webisodes

Throw in a webisode during the workout. Another thing I have done is midway through the Mat Workout DVD, I will pause and have a previously prepared webisode ready.

For example, after doing the two arm sequences, when my arms are appropriately exhausted – I know I can do more. I will pause the mat dvd and push play on the cued Arm Webisode or Goop Arm Webisode. Then, without pausing, I pick right back up where I left off in the Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD. Alternately, you could do the complete arm series twice. You can do the same with the leg webisodes or abs webisodes. Anything that tires out those muscles and changes it up is good. Sometimes, I will add in a webisode at the end of my workout too.

Observe nuances

Another thing I found myself doing is really focusing on the nuances in what Tracy is doing. After you’ve done the workout for a while, you know what is coming next and how to do it so now it’s time to really refine your technique.

For example, I noticed that Tracy holds the weights differently than I was doing in the second arm series. Does this make a difference? I’m not sure but I did notice it felt a bit different after I tried holding my weights exactly as she had. Notice if she is lifting an arm with palms up or down – are you doing it exactly the same?

Add in your own ballet arms

Once you really know all of the leg series and are sure your technique is where you want it to be, one thing you can do is create your own basic ballet arm series during the leg sequences. For example, during the standing leg series when you are doing basic leg lifts to the side, hold up your arm like a ballet dancer, moving it over your head and to the side with intention. No flopping around of course! Only try this if you are confident it won’t affect your form and focus on the legs.

Perform

Finally, as Tracy Anderson discusses in her cardio DVDs, it makes a lot of difference if you PERFORM
the moves rather than just doing them. The same goes with the Mat workout DVD – do the moves with intensity – point the toes all the way when you are supposed to point. Feel the tips of your fingertips when you place the arms in each position in the arm series. Pretend you are on stage and completing each and every motion counts. No half-hearted action. When I focus on performing and really completing each repetition, I notice my heart rate going up and feel a stronger burn.

I hope some of these tips help you take your Tracy Anderson Mat Workout to the next level. Now, share your tips in the comments. Also, if you haven't tried her Cardio, don't miss out: Tracy Anderson Method Presents Dance Cardio Workout DVD. What tips do you have to get past plateaus and take the Tracy Anderson Method to the next level?

Tracy Anderson Review | Mat Workout DVD Review

Tracy Anderson Mat Workout Review


Read on for a full review of the Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD.

Will you lose weight rapidly with the Tracy Anderson Method? Here I will clearly break down and review the DVD so you know exactly what you are getting before you buy. I will list the pros and cons and give you an idea of the feedback I had heard and read about the Tracy Anderson Mat Workout before I tried it as well as my own firsthand experience with it. Will this be the DVD to help you lose weight rapidly this summer? Keep reading.

In summary, the format of the DVD is a 50 minute toning and conditioning workout. Tracy Anderson spends time on the glutes and butt area, the arms, and the stomach – all typical problem areas. The method is designed to make you have as the creator says, “a teeny tiny dancer body”. It promises to remove bulk and create long lean muscles like those a dancer has.

The question is, does it work? First, I researched what others were saying about it. I read many reviews of the method and this DVD in particular myself. Did it help them lose weight rapidly? The consensus was that those who used the Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD diligently DID find themselves becoming leaner, more toned and with more definition in their “problem areas”. Many people complained that they weren’t losing weight but that they had seen changes in their tone and in the way their clothing fit. Most users didn’t lose weight rapidly with this DVD alone. However, when paired with Tracy Anderson’s Dance Cardio DVD in addition to diet modifications, the results were stellar. Most people seemed to enjoy the workout and the results.

Now for my own review of the Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD. The workout is a pleasure to do – you feel the burn. I want to ‘feel it’ the next day when I do a new workout for the first time and with this method I definitely did. By feeling a little pain, it helps me to know that I am working muscles that I don't normally work. The mat workout DVD is particularly good for working different muscles in the arms.  All of the toning exercises are meant to build definition and the kind of muscles I want: long and lean.

Here is a breakdown of the format and details of the DVD:

It is done in a serene looking home gym setting with a light background.

The instructor, Tracy Anderson leads the workout solo.

The music is “Madonna”-esque – it has sort of a new age feel but works well with the workout in my opinion. For cardio, I'd prefer something more upbeat but this allows you to really focus on your placement and getting the moves right.

One drawback -you can't skip to the next section easily - you have to use the fast forward function which is a negative if you want to do a certain section twice or omit a section

            Warm up – about 4-5 minutes of stretching and warming up of the muscles - straightforward

Legs and Butt – One sequence standing behind a chair that acts as a ballet bar where you perform many different rotations of leg lifts in varying angles to work different muscles in the legs and butt. You do all of the exercise on one side and then switch working legs, and do all of the exercise on the other side so with each leg you are really pushing without a break, exhausting the different muscles.

Legs and Butt – Second sequence behind the chair with different music and moves. She starts with some basic straight the the side leg lifts with pointed toes and then shifts to a more unconventional exercise that involves rotating and lifting your working leg. Like the first leg and butt section, all of the exercises are performed with one leg and then you switch and do all of the the different rotations with the other leg.

Standing Abdominal Section – An upbeat short series of standing movements isolating the rib cage and ab area. This can be challenging if you haven’t done these sorts of moves before but is a great way to shape your abs when you lose weight rapidly

Arm and Shoulders – An exceptional arm section done standing without weights. For me, this would be reason enough alone to do this workout. She leads you through many rotations, working all different parts of your arm and shoulders. My arms felt sore in areas I had never felt before. It is challenging but very effective. 

Arms and Shoulders – This section is done with 1-3 lb weights. Tracy recommends that women stick to 3 lb or less weights with her method. Men may use up to 8 lb weights. She claims this avoids bulk. There is controversy about this – but consider following her advice. Tracy Anderson trains Gwyneth Paltrow and many other celebrities with killer bodies. If you aren't getting the arms you want from it after a month or two, you can always go back to your heavier weights.

Legs and Butt – This is a mat section with more leg and butt lifts in different rotations.

Abdominals – Lying on a mat, this series of sit-ups and other unconventional ab work is designed to shape the abs in a more streamlined way. The two times I did the abdominal section, I could barely get through it - my muscles were weak from not having worked out in a while and my neck was hurting a lot. That went away and it has become easier.

Cool down – similar to the warm-up and a nice way to loosen up the muscles that were just worked. Some prefer a longer cool down but it worked for me.

Those are the basics. Will you lose weight rapidly?

By doing this workout alone, it seems unlikely that you will lose weight rapidly. However, if you are doing the Tracy Anderson Mat DVD combined with her cardio Tracy Anderson Method Presents Dance Cardio Workout DVD and/or changes to your diet, this is a great way to firm up problem areas, loose skin and really sculpt.

Concerns I noticed that people mentioned when discussing this DVD were these:

Lack of cueing: The instructor often doesn’t tell you when to switch sides or movements so you have to watch at first to know what you are doing. For me, this actually turned out to be a plus as after a few times, you know what’s coming and don’t want to hear all of the chatter. 

Also, she does an uneven number of repetitions on either side for some of the exercises. You can counter this by alternating which arm or leg you start with every other day.

Lack of enthusiasm from instructor: Some reviewers seemed concerned that the instructor was not bubbly and pushing them verbally. Some commented that it seemed like she was “posing” or “pouting”. For me, this wasn’t an issue. I preferred the more quiet lead so that I could focus on doing the moves correctly. If you like someone shouting, pushing, or cheerleading, this instruction style may not be the best for you however.

Price: Some seemed to think it was too pricey compared to other DVDs. I disagree. If you want to lose weight rapidly, just want to tone or have reached a plateau – the Tracy Anderson Mat DVD is a great way to go to the next level and the comments I found and my own experience supported this. Also, this is the first workout that I woke up almost craving each day. If something works and you’ll stick with it, I think it’s pretty worthwhile, don’t you?


Muscle groups not focused on. Although I think overall the workout does a great job of targeting tons of muscle groups, I'd like it if she did one exercise in one of the leg sections that worked the calf muscles specifically or the small muscles around the calf muscles in her unconventional way to tone the calves but not add bulk.

So, is it worth it? Will you lose weight rapidly with the Tracy Anderson Mat Workout DVD and with the Tracy Anderson Method? If your goals are to tone, sculpt, get longer, leaner definition – this is the perfect workout. If you want to lose weight rapidly – you must combine it with a healthy eating plan with less calories than you eat now and some cardio and watch the magic happen. I will be posting more on Tracy Anderson’s popular method including info and reviews on her webisodes, other DVDs, free webisodes, dieting tips and so forth so check back for that. 
If you want to purchase the The Tracy Anderson Method Presents Mat Workout DVD, click the link. 

See my other posts on Tracy Anderson:
Dieting with the Tracy Anderson Method
Get Rid of Sagging Skin and best of all a plan to help you lose 20 lbs in six weeks 
Lose 20 lbs in 6 weeks Tracy Anderson 

Watch for her new book the Tracy Anderson 30-Day Method where Tracy offers a 30-day diet plan in addition to more instruction and about her method. Pre-order it at a discount: Tracy Anderson's 30-Day Method: The Weight-Loss Kick-Start that Makes Perfection Possible. I hope you found my Tracy Anderson Mat DVD review helpful - please feel free to add any comments about your experience with it below.

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