Tracee Ellis Ross, the 51-year-old actress, consistently inspires her fans with her fitness journey, workout videos, confidence, and overall outlook on life. In 2021, she told Harper’s Bazaar, “I’m the sexiest I’ve ever been. And when I say that, I mean I feel the most myself." Ross embraces various exercise methods and consistently shows up for her workouts, encouraging her followers to do the same. Her dedication pays off, and she openly acknowledges the trainers and movement masters who help her achieve her fitness goals.
A Glimpse into Tracee Ellis Ross's Workout Routine
If you're curious about Ross's workout routine, here's a breakdown of what she has shared over the years:
The Tracy Anderson Method
Ross is a devoted follower of the Tracy Anderson Method, a popular fitness technique among celebrities. She told PopSugar in 2017, “I feel sexy, and strong and beautiful when I’m working out. The movements are very dancer-esque, and I’ve been really enjoying it.” She enjoys the hot room setting during the workout because she loves sweating; it’s one of the ways that I process everything that goes on during the week and move it through my body," she said. "It’s always really loud music and great music, which I love, and the workout changes every 10 sessions, so even if you take classes, it changes every 10 days, it changes . . . I love that! I never get bored.”
A Holistic Approach to Fitness
Tracee and Tracy prioritize a holistic approach to fitness, focusing on the entire body rather than isolating specific areas. In a 2021 interview with US Weekly, Anderson said, “It’s really underdeveloped to say, like, ‘Oh, I only want to work on this,’ or ‘I only want to work on that.’ It’s all connected… (Ross) respects her whole body and she works on her whole body".
Jason Walsh, Ross's personal trainer, shared in a 2022 interview with Shape, “We’ve been focusing on full body patterns and her goal is increasing her overall strength and muscle coordination,” he said. “We are always focused on reinforcing her fundamental movement patterns.”
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Incorporating Equipment for Variety
Ross's Instagram posts reveal her use of various equipment to keep her workouts engaging. She incorporates weights, kettlebells, and battle ropes to challenge herself.
Emphasis on Proper Form
Ross's workout videos showcase her focus on methodical, precise movements. She captioned the post, "She is a safe space and a beautiful teacher who helps me process through my body, work through physical roadblocks and get strong with fluid movement,". "She is not a therapist, she is a Gyrotonics and movement master trainer who has done deep work herself. Safe partners, practitioners and spaces are important to healing and growing."
Blood Flow Restriction Training
Ross isn't afraid to explore different health and wellness methods, including blood flow restriction training. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this technique "allows you to exercise at a lower intensity and still make progress." By using a band around the thigh or arm to reduce blood flow, you can "use less weight to build strength and muscle mass." In a 2022 Instagram post, Ross explained, "Explanation on the cuffs: BFR or blood flow restriction training allows you to get the same results with a lighter load as you would with a heavier load. I use these for the first 10 minutes of my workout."
Tracee Ellis Ross's Dietary Habits
Ross follows a mindful approach to her diet, focusing on whole foods and balanced meals.
Pre- and Post-Workout Fuel
Before hitting the gym, Ross has apple sauce, “And I do not like apple sauce at all. But I was told that that kind of pure, good-for-you sugar 15 minutes before a workout will make your workout more productive. Whether it works or not, I have no idea. But I suffer through eating the apple sauce,” she told The Wall Street Journal in 2022. After a challenging workout, she refuels with a protein shake, as she told Bon Appétit in 2016.
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Home-Prepared Meals
Ross prefers to prepare her own food, allowing her to control the ingredients and ensure healthy choices. She told Shape in 2020, “I make most of my food, and I am the queen of the salad,”. Ross told People that prepping her own meals is “one of the ways that I actively love myself.”
Avoiding Certain Ingredients
Ross steers clear of sugar, dairy, and gluten, "but otherwise I eat pretty much everything,” she told Shape in 2020. She also takes a whole-body approach to choosing food.“I have this philosophy on eating that it not only has to taste good in my mouth, but also feel good in my body,” she told People in 2020. “So a lot of things that taste good in my mouth don’t feel good in my body.”
Frequent, Smaller Meals
In 2016, Ross told Bon Appétit she eats smaller meals more often.“I have nothing against three meals, but I usually do a couple extras. I do an earlier lunch with hardboiled eggs and quinoa. Maybe I’ll also sauté some vegetables to go with that, or do a Happy Egg Sandwich from the farmers’ market. Basically it’s the time when I want a nice scramble on toast with butter,” she said. Then I’ll broil something-salmon, steak, chicken, maybe some vegetables. And I’ll usually snack on something in front of the TV.”
Indulging Cravings in Moderation
Ross allows herself treats, but she's more fond of salty than sweet. “I eat chocolate if I want chocolate,” she told PopSugar in 2017. “I’m a big salty person; I love olives, I love potato chips, I love French fries,” she said. “I eat a lot of all the other things that I eat (besides dairy, sugar and gluten). I am not somebody who will sit down and eat a small bag of potato chips… I eat the whole bag!” In 2016, Ross told People she also enjoys treating herself at her favorite restaurants once a week "to have a glass of wine and a delicious meal."
Basic Guidelines
In 2011, Ross shared a few of her most relatable wellness tips with The New York Times.“I eat well and drink lots of water, and I get my sleep. I like eight hours. I barely eat sugar, gluten or dairy, even though I love all three. I don’t drink soda or caffeine - never have," she said.
Read also: The Rosses' Weight Loss Journeys
Embracing Self-Acceptance
Like many people, Ross had to adjust her workout routine during the pandemic. In 2021, she shared a video about the impact it had on her fitness.“I didn’t transform my body and exercise like a crazy woman and turn into a vegan. And, as a result, my body feels different,” she said. “I sat more than I’m used to; I didn’t do the same amount of cardio that I like; I wasn’t in the gym because of the circumstances of what we were all living in and are all living in." Ross chose not to judge herself for circumstances beyond her control.“With all the sharpness and harshness and violence and fear that has been around, perhaps the softness of my body is a blessing. It has been able to nurture me in a way that my mind could not… I really encourage and invite all of us to receive the wisdom of our bodies right now and allow the softness, the weight, the whatever - and be grateful.
Learning from Tracee: Inspiration for Your Fitness Journey
Watching Tracee Ellis Ross work out on Instagram can be incredibly motivating. While replicating a celebrity's entire lifestyle may be unrealistic, fitness is an area where you can draw inspiration and adapt their routines to your own needs and preferences.
One writer decided to try working out like Tracee for a week, signing up for a free trial of the Tracy Anderson Method. The experience proved to be challenging yet rewarding, leading to a newfound appreciation for the method and its ability to target specific muscle groups.
Black Women as Fitness Inspiration
If you're seeking fitness inspiration, consider following Black women celebrities like Megan Thee Stallion, Victoria Monet, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Kerry Washington. These women demonstrate diverse approaches to fitness, from high-intensity workouts to out-of-the-box routines.
Megan Thee Stallion shares glimpses of her "Hottie Bootcamps" on Instagram and has partnered with Nike to release workouts on the Nike Training Club app. Victoria Monet's routine includes intense ab workouts, cardio combinations, and HIIT. Halle Berry collaborates with her trainer, Peter Lee Thomas, and promotes her wellness platform, rē*spin, offering affordable fitness products and workouts on the FitOn app. Kerry Washington swears by Pilates to maintain her physique.
More Celebrity Fitness Inspiration
Other celebrities who inspire with their fitness routines include Michelle Obama, Jennifer Aniston, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ashley Graham.
Michelle Obama's sculpted arms and toned physique are the result of a balanced approach to strength training, flexibility, and a healthy lifestyle. Jennifer Aniston incorporates Pvolve, a low-impact fitness method, into her routine. Gwyneth Paltrow relies on Tracy Anderson's guidance and practices yoga. Ashley Graham focuses on weight training and embraces body confidence. Jennifer Garner’s fitness routine is truly remarkable.