Tracy Anderson the Black Swan of Fitness

I usually don't blog about negative things, however I am very enraged lately and need to get this off my chest. Tracy Anderson recently has been heavily publicized and over exposed as a "fitness guru". This really angers me. 

She has been quoted as "putting Jennifer Aniston on a baby food diet", claims she can "make any woman look like a model", compares herself to Joseph Pilates, and has been reported to hire trainers based on their cuteness and appearance, not their credentials and certifications. 

Speaking of credentials and certifications, Tracy Anderson herself has no credentials or certifications listed anywhere that I could find. Including her own bio on her website, where she states that she "studied and researched muscle structure and specific workout techniques" (never mentions where or from who), "developed a computer software program for training to guide her and allow her to keep balance between weight loss and a healthy body" (can't find said computer software anywhere), and "designed a Hybrid Body Reformer" (copied Joseph Pilates' Reformer and made additions and adjustments). The one thing that is referenced over and over is that she is a "former dancer". Again never stating where she studied or with what company or show. The fact that her credentials and where and with whom she studied are never referenced or mentioned, really concerns me. And probably has lead to the numerous allegations I found regarding being injured from Tracy Anderson's Method.

She is also quoted as getting women to their "teeniest, tiny point" and "perfection". As a fitness professional these are very serious words to be using and do not promote a healthy body in my mind. She further promotes this image in all of her photos where she is shot in the skimpiest, lingerie looking workout clothes, looking herself emaciatingly thin. She claims that she can "make any woman look like a model" and references her clients as credentials. When you are starting with healthy, physically fit women who already look like models (i.e. Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, Shakira, Madonna, Gwenyth Paltrow) how can you really take credit for your work and method? It's not as if she is a Bob Harper or Jillian Michaels taking the obese population and turning them into fit, healthy individuals. Personally I'd like to see her on The Biggest Loser and put her money where her mouth is. That probably won't happen as it doesn't seem that she even has the resume and credentials to even get hired for a position such as a trainer.

I can't help but think of Natalie Portman's character in the Black Swan. The break in the psyche that occurs from a constant pursuit of perfection, under eating, eating disorders and self loathing. Tracy Anderson seems to be promoting this idea to women as fitness and I take personal offense. This is not what I promote or want to promote to anyone as healthy or fitness. I really wish that the media would stop advertising and promoting Tracy Anderson and her "accomplishments". She is not a healthy role model of fitness for women and is doing our community a huge disservice.

Whew! Got that off my chest. Now I really don't want to see or hear anymore about her in the fitness industry.