Tracy Anderson came to the fore in the fitness world via word of mouth. After being rejected from the world of ballet because of her size, and feeling like there was nothing out there to educate people on getting fit the right way, Anderson set about conducting a study to find out how each and every individual can get the most from exercise.
Soon after, a friend of Gwyneth Paltrow's began attending The Tracy Anderson Method classes at Anderson's LA studio, and the results were so noticeable that Paltrow wanted in. Now, thanks to Paltrow and a whole roster of other famous clients, Anderson is centre stage in the LA fitness arena and in demand from A-listers the world over. Here she speaks to Grazia about her hopes for the future of fitness, forming a strong bond with Victoria Beckham, and how The Tracy Anderson Method came to be.
Fitness Roots
'My mother was a ballerina, she owned a dance school and still teaches to this day in her 70s. I was born in the 70s so there were all different types of disco and dance around and the beginning of a lot of pop. My mom believed that we are all primal animals that are meant to move and you have a rhythym in side of you. She wanted me to be bouncing around to music without any pattern. She instilled in me the idea that I am supposed to move.'
Meeting Victoria Beckham
'Victoria has been a client of mine for over 8 years and I love her. She asked about The Method and that’s how we ended up meeting. She has stayed very focused on The Method for eight years. We have daughters around the same age, and I remember going to visit her. She was holding Harper when she was a baby, and I quickly realised how much of a thoughtful woman she is. She knows how to take care of herself. She practises self-love and treats others with that same love and respect. It’s part of her being such a great mom, setting an example of loving herself in a smart way.'
Training Victoria
'Victoria knows her body and in terms of training she really shows up to do the hard work. I have trainers with her in the UK and I always check in on her. We stay in close contact and we have a huge amount of respect for each other. Victoria works out 6 days a week, and she’s very advanced. She can do anywhere from 1 – 2 hours each day. Her husband is a pro athlete and she keeps herself at a very advanced level too. She’s been doing this method for eight years.'
'When I watch the way she approaches her brand, I look at her talent and gifts as a woman, I know that she’s a leader. Victoria is a real leader. She’s very smart and she knows what she likes. That’s evident in the way she cuts her clothes, and now it’s evident in her beauty line too. In all the years I’ve been doing this, it is so refreshing to come across a woman like Victoria. Being a spice girl is part of her fame but she really is a girl power girl. She is a woman that is truly there for other women, and let me tell you, I have met many pop stars who are not.'
Locking Down The Leg Pose
'There is so much dynamic movement in her workouts, there’s a whole leg sequence that she does that definitely means she can kick her leg like that.'
Inside Victoria Beckham's Fridge
'I remember checking in on her session once and we were talking in her kitchen and she had the refrigerator open. It is the world’s most beautiful refrigerator. She had every kid’s drink lined up perfectly, all her salads and fruit and veg arranged perfectly. It was all immaculate, beautiful and a great example of all the good things we should be taking in. I definitely left that session thinking, 'oh my gosh I need to attack my fridge and do better!'
Shop: Victoria Beckham Beauty
Victoria Beckham Beauty: The Products
1 of 8Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Gloss, £26
'Throwing back to my Spice Girl days, Posh would always wear a high shine clear gloss with a heavy lip liner to make her lips look fuller. That's when my love affair with gloss started, but I always found it heavy and uncomfortable to wear, and my hair would inevitably get stuck in it - especially riding on the back of David's motorcycle. So it became my mission to create a gloss that was beautiful, with reflective, mirror-like shine—but wearable and not at all sticky. I believe we got it right,' says Victoria.
2 of 8Victoria Beckham Beauty, Bitten Lip Tint, £32
For a subtle wash of colour as opposed to a sticky, heavier liquid lipstick or gloss, the Bitten Lip Tint is an ultra-light, weightless gelée formula to hydrate and nourish lips, imparting the softest kiss of colour.
3 of 8Victoria Beckham Beauty Smoky Eye Brick Eyeshadow Palette, £48
Victoria knows her way around a beautiful eyeshadow; her compacts house an entire eye look in one place. These powders are buttery, opaque and blend with ease, too. Choose from palettes with matte or shimmer shades.
4 of 8Victoria Beckham Beauty Lid Lustre Crystal Infused Eyeshadow, £28
A hit of glitter on the eye? Yes, please. Apply with a fingertip to pick up most of the sparkle, and pat on to the centre of the eye to create a seriously pretty gleam. This eyeshadow is pressed, not loose, so you'll face no fall-down of shadow, either.
5 of 8Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner, £20
Queen of the smudged eyeliner, it was only natural for VB to nail this. This kohl pencil is as soft and buttery as they come. Create a sleek graphic line with a sharpened nib, or buff it out gently with a liner brush for a diffused, smoky finish.
6 of 8Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Power Serum, £180
Victoria Beckham and Sarah Creal wanted to create the ultimate all-purpose serum. Their aim was to be able to use a single serum and their moisturiser, rather than reaching for every lotion and potion under the sun in the midst of a complicated skincare routine. They joined forces with Professor Augustinus Bader to produce a do-it-all serum that seriously delivers.
7 of 8Victoria Beckham Beauty Cell Rejuvenating Priming Moisturizer, £92
This was the first collaboration between Victoria Beckham Beauty and Professor Augustinus Bader, a moisturiser packed with actives that plump and tone as well as smoothing skin from the off, so much so, they decided to highlight its complexion priming abilities in its name.
8 of 8Victoria Beckham Beauty Future Lash Mascara, £26
This ultra-black formula promises defining, lengthening, curling and volumising results, all whilst being hypoallergenic, waterproof, sweat-proof, smudge-proof and suitable for contact lense wearers. Victoria Beckham herself says 'This is the best mascara I have ever used!'.
READ MORE: Victoria Beckham's New £92 Moisturiser Has Been Created In Collaboration With A Professor