Tracy Anderson Says Spinning Bulks Up Thighs

[emuni04]

abcnews.go.com/Health/gwyneth-paltrows-trainer-spinning-bulks-thighs/story?id=21518368

First of all, I don't think this is true. I think she made a similar case about running, and my legs look exactly the same as they always have.

Does the purpose of physical activity always have to involve how you look as a result? I mean, sure, I like that exercise keeps my weight in check, but can't we just work out to feel good about ourselves and make our bodies healthy?

She annoys me. For the record, I own her workout DVD's and I still don't look like Gwyneth Paltrow  

[sitnspin]

Until she gets a PHD in exercise physiology, she can keep her ridiculous and false statements to herself.  I teach 5-10 classes per week and am a size 2 or 4, with muscular legs.  She is a crock of sh!t.  LOL!

[otowngirl]

Jan 15, 2014 15:14:10 GMT -5 sitnspin said:

Until she gets a PHD in exercise physiology, she can keep her ridiculous and false statements to herself.  I teach 5-10 classes per week and am a size 2 or 4, with muscular legs.  She is a crock of sh!t.  LOL!

See, I just see her quote as saying people who only do a work out primarily targeting the hams / quads (which, hello, spinning does) will build up muscle in that area.  I guess I don't see the controversy in that statement?

[Deleted]

What's bad about muscly thighs? I think they look hot. Not everyone wants to look 'heroin chic' waif thin.

[katietornado]

I think I just bristle at any statement that is so certain, and so loaded. I feel like it instantly gives women an excuse to skip spinning. The fear of 'bulk' in women is such garbage and I get so tired of it. First of all, muscles are awesome. Second, I challenge anyone who is afraid of becoming "bulky" to actually TRY to get bulky. Stop when you're too muscular...which will probably be never. Third, why is exercise about how we look, instead of how we FEEL?

These women are professional cyclists. I'd say their thighs are anything but "bulky."

[sitnspin]

In all of my continuing education through MDA, they have pushed that women really can't bulk up unless they take supplements and really work at only that.  Spinning can be at a higher heart rate, preventing that "bulk" that she is talking about. Just nonsense.

[gummybear]

Jan 15, 2014 15:43:04 GMT -5 katietornado said:

I think I just bristle at any statement that is so certain, and so loaded. I feel like it instantly gives women an excuse to skip spinning. The fear of 'bulk' in women is such garbage and I get so tired of it. First of all, muscles are awesome. Second, I challenge anyone who is afraid of becoming "bulky" to actually TRY to get bulky. Stop when you're too muscular...which will probably be never. Third, why is exercise about how we look, instead of how we FEEL?

This is where I'm at. It's just another excuse. Another reason to cross an activity off the list. Yes you will build muscle but that is a good thing, for a myriad of reasons.

[otowngirl]

I get and appreciate what y'all are saying about the backlash at "bulking" among women. And I now see where she expressly uses that word. But I don't see that the essence of what she is saying (doing ONLY one specific type of exercise several times per week may not yield desired results) is all that untrue.

[wambam]

LOLOLOL

I wish she could see my thighs. She'd be appalled.

[breezy8407]

For me, it's the messenger more than the message.

This is the same person who also says women shouldn't life more than 3 pounds. So make sure you put down your gallons of milk, your children, and your purse.

"bulkiness" is in the eye of the beholder, as well as genetics.

[otowngirl]

Just so we're all clear, I totally agree that the "women shouldn't lift heavy because they'll bulk up" school of thought is hogwash.

[breezy8407]

I think most of us would also agree that athletes from various sports have a "look" sprinters vs. marathoners, volleyball players vs. swimmers, etc. so is it the sport itself that cause the look or the genetics that allow that body to perform that sport so well? Probably both.

I would love to look like the pictures of the cyclists posted above!

[TEM325]

Jan 15, 2014 15:45:43 GMT -5 sitnspin said:

In all of my continuing education through MDA, they have pushed that women really can't bulk up unless they take supplements and really work at only that.  Spinning can be at a higher heart rate, preventing that "bulk" that she is talking about. Just nonsense.

Ditto.

As someone who has taught cycling for 13+ years, when people like her speak out and influence the public, it really grinds my gears!!!

[boston340]

In addition to what everyone has said above, WHO CARES if we DO bulk up? Is she suggesting that I'll be an ugly woman if I have thicker thighs?  

[runaways]

Jan 15, 2014 16:41:39 GMT -5 boston340 said:

In addition to what everyone has said above, WHO CARES if we DO bulk up? Is she suggesting that I'll be an ugly woman if I have thicker thighs?  

I completely agree with this, and I hate how she keeps perpetuating these bullshit fitness myths. Ugh.

[wambam]

Jan 15, 2014 16:41:39 GMT -5 boston340 said:

In addition to what everyone has said above, WHO CARES if we DO bulk up? Is she suggesting that I'll be an ugly woman if I have thicker thighs?  

I fucking LOVE my quadzillas.

[sadlebred]

I say bring on the cycling!

[Deleted]

Jan 15, 2014 16:44:48 GMT -5 runaways said:

Jan 15, 2014 16:41:39 GMT -5 boston340 said:

In addition to what everyone has said above, WHO CARES if we DO bulk up? Is she suggesting that I'll be an ugly woman if I have thicker thighs?  

I completely agree with this, and I hate how she keeps perpetuating these bullshit fitness myths. Ugh.

Yep, x1000. 

I love my muscular, powerful thighs and anyone that tells me they are ugly or wrong can be on the receiving end of 1 roundkick.

[zoidberg]

God forbid that women's bodies are useful and strong.

[Deleted]

Looking at katietornados pictures of the professional cyclists, I would say the first one has muscly thighs if you look at her right leg profile. But like I said before, I think it looks hot. I'd like someone to tell Victoria Pendleton her legs look ugly and see how quickly they get an inner tube wrapped around their neck

People who agree with the author of that article are possibly looking for any excuse not to exercise. It's like the old "running will give you shin splints, knee trouble etc etc". How about you try running in a sensible plan first? Then complain to me about these things. IF you get them. To actually build serious muscle takes a huge amount of training and supplements. The average exerciser will not be in danger of this from a weekly spin class. I did spin three times a week for three months and wasn't even close to becoming muscly-limbed.

[Deleted]

Jan 16, 2014 5:01:43 GMT -5 peachy said:

As far as I have seen, her entire exercise philosophy is that the end goal is being as lean/small as possible. That doesn't align with my exercise philosophy, so I will continue to ignore her recommendations.

Someone needs to show that woman (who is Tracy Anderson anyway?) that picture of all the women in different sports and different shapes. Sure, some sports will lend themselves to producing a lean figure. But so many don't. And I see no reason to put down the ones that don't. 

Being lean/small isn't my goal. Being fit, strong and happy is. Someone needs to tell Tracy that fit comes in lots of shapes, and all of them rock. All. Of. Them.

[emilyinchile]

Did you guys click through to the Redbook article? www.redbookmag.com/health-wellness/advice/benefits-of-spinning The whole thing is ridiculous. Most of the article's "concerns" are things that could be true with any exercise: you eat more than the additional calorie burn, you might get confident and try another exercise too hard at first resulting in injury, adding in cross-training is a good idea. Beyond the fact that spinning has become popular, I'm really not sure why it's getting the brunt of the criticism here. You could replace spinning with running, and the article would read the same.

[wambam]

Jan 16, 2014 10:05:35 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

Did you guys click through to the Redbook article? www.redbookmag.com/health-wellness/advice/benefits-of-spinning The whole thing is ridiculous. Most of the article's "concerns" are things that could be true with any exercise: you eat more than the additional calorie burn, you might get confident and try another exercise too hard at first resulting in injury, adding in cross-training is a good idea. Beyond the fact that spinning has become popular, I'm really not sure why it's getting the brunt of the criticism here. You could replace spinning with running, and the article would read the same.

Welcome to every article ever written about Crossfit. 

Sports inherently have some risk. Take responsibility for yourself and minimize those risks. Enjoy your sport.

[emilyinchile]

wambam BUT YOU MIGHT GET RHABDO. That's a Crossfit-only problem and is super common, right? 

[wambam]

Jan 16, 2014 10:46:00 GMT -5 emilyinchile said:

wambam BUT YOU MIGHT GET RHABDO. That's a Crossfit-only problem and is super common, right? 

Oh yeah, I see one person a week from my gym get it

[Deleted]

Tracy Anderson really bugs me. She seems to make misleading statements about diet and exercise on a regular basis and doesn't stay up to date on scientific research. I read about her diet plan a few years ago and thought it was lacking in a lot of areas.

[emuni04]

Maybe she is trying to pull celebrities from Soul Cycle to come train with her

[kjh]

She's an idiot.

Gavel

[Deleted]

Tracy anderson says spinning bulks up your thighs?

That's nice.