After my first 3 classes at Tracy Anderson’s NYC studio, I took a while to book another class. My delayed return says something about how I felt about the classes. It’s not that I hate the werkout, it’s just that I hate the minimal instruction. Interaction with instructors is the main reason I go to werkout studios. I may be a fitness blogger but I’m no expert and need a profesh to correct my form and help me improve through personal interactions. I don’t want to flail around like an ass-wad and look like a dorkus! I need you to HELP me!
However, all this NY Super Bowl hype was making me crave some skinny bitch action to counteract the masculine debauchery. So on Sunday afternoon I returned to Tracy Anderson Studios for multiTAsk band and here’s what went down.
The Skinny:
multiTAsk band is an hour class that is divided into about half cardio/ half band werk and 5 minutes of abs to close out the class.
I wasn’t expecting the cardio portion to also include the bands but oh yes, to my dismay it did (the bands are my nemesis). This time the cardio wasn’t so much dance as it was jumping around and moving your arms while pulling the resistance bands from the ceiling. The most “choreography” we did was a grape-vine.
The non-cardio section included pulling down the resistance bands from the ceiling in lots of complicated directions with our arms while standing and then with our legs while on all fours.
Will You Survive?:
The cardio portion wasn’t super high-impact killer omg crazy. My heart rate was increased and I was schweaty as balls but this was more due to the fact that Tray Tray keeps the studio at 86-degrees and 65-percent humidity. It’s not hellish hot yoga hot, but it’s not exactly comfortable either.
The on-all-fours section was more difficult and you definitely feel the burn, but the main reason why you may not survive is mostly that your body is contorted into an uncomfortable position for about 25 minutes straight. If you’ve ever done Tray Tray’s at-home videos, you understand the frustration of being on all fours and exhausting your glutes while trying to look up at the screen, or in this case the instructor (who is not instructing verbally but visually).
A commenter on one of my previous class reviews said that she tried Tracy’s studio classes and decided not to return because her neck hurt her too much from this ongoing kneeling-while-looking position. I don’t blame you girl! My workout companion yesterday had the same complaint and when we were leaving class she turned to me and said, “the only thing that hurts right now is my neck.”
I will say, during my previous deTAil band class, I hated my life and wanted to hang myself from a band when we had to do the glute and thigh movements on all fours whilst cutting off the circulation in our hands with the bands. This time, we pulled the bands down not with our hands but with our feet during the ‘all- fours’ portion and it was much easier and more comfortable for me (my booty is poppin and strong, unlike my arms which are skinny and pathetic despite my best efforts).
The In Crowd:
A mix of models, successful business women who have more disposable income and trend older than at other boutique studios, and the occasional not-so hardcore lady looking to start a fitness routine.
My observation is that models tend to stick out at TA because they 1) are the only ones who are tall enough to reach the ceiling bands unassisted and 2) they generally aren’t dancers by nature. I suppose we all have our strengths.
Will You find a Date/Friend?:
Like many studios, there are some chatty Kathys at TA. And others who scowl and judge you.
What to wear:
Whatever you can sweat in. And that hot and humid room will make you drip bodily fluids you didn’t know you had so you may need a sweat headband.
Perhaps you would like to purchase a pair of leggings from Tracy’s new line, which are so low-rise they will show your hip bones and possibly your lower lady parts.
Instructors:
Our instructor, Megan, tried her best to instruct but she was not wearing a mic so I could not hear her half the damn time over the music (which, by the way, was a stellar playlist, I must admit).
When Megan was trying to give me corrections (yes, the majority of the corrections were meant for me), she would mouth and point while meeting my eyes in the mirror. I did not find this to be the most effective form of communication. WHY NOT WEAR A MIC.
As I have described at length in previous posts, the instructors do not give you physical or oral instruction; everything is visual. And the all-fours position is not exactly conducive to visual learning. All I could think about during the entire class was what in the sam hell is the reasoning behind this nonsense? This is not a bumblefook mom-and-pop studio that doesn’t know what’s up or can’t afford body mics. This is Tray Tray. So why this issue?
The only possible conclusions I can come up with regarding this non-verbal direction are 1) this is Tracy’s signature schtick that she can’t let go of, or 2) the instructors need to get their werkout in too so they don’t want to bother talking or moving around the room.
I am accepting additional theories so feel free to contribute yours. My mind will not rest until I find the reason.
Does it work?:
I do not agree with Tray Tray that her method is the be-all-end-all, silver bullet, one-and-only, best method ever and nothing else works.
I am instead of the camp that the best method is the werkout you will actually do. So if you like jumping around and pulling on bands in a hot and humid room, than Tray is your girl.
Walking Funny or Not So Sore?
I am not so sore after this sesh, which is surprising because my left butt cheek was going to fall off after the previous class. However, my neck does feel a little strained (although my neck is always strained because that’s where I carry around all my stress) but I’m not positive how much this class is responsible.
Keep your Blow-Out or Sweaty Beast?
That room will make your hair look like Beyonce’s during her recent Grammy performance. And your clothes will need a separate bag following the werkout.
One and Done or Do it a Ton:
If the instructors were more hands on and/or wore a mic, I might designate this as Do it a Ton but I just cannot because of this issue.
Know before you go:
- Tracy’s NYC studio is located at 24 Hubert Street, 3rd floor in Tribeca. There is a brand new Flywheel studio right across the street!
- There are also Tracy Anderson studio locations in Studio City, Brentwood, the Hamptons and London.
- Classes require a $900/month membership (or so I’ve read).
- Water is available for purchase for $2 (card only) and/or fill up your bottle at the water cooler.
- Showers, towels, shampoo, hair dryer etc. available.
