Whether we like it or not, different body types are here to stay. Genetics are the real culprit, but now it’s up to us to discover the best exercises for our own body type. Getting a handle on which body type you fall under, and then implementing the best exercise for your body type makes life easier.
Even though exercise is good for overall healthy, most of are working out for the best looking body. But, it’s easy to torture yourself day after day with exercise that doesn’t fit your body type. And that is a real drag!
The problem most of us have is simply not knowing what is the best exercise for my body type?
We tend to head off to the gym, look around at what others are doing, and follow suit. But what are you gaining with the garden variety workouts? If you feel like you are spinning your wheels at the gym without your body responding, you are probably doing the wrong exercises for your body type.
Looking for the best exercise for your body type is the answer. It’s easy to torture yourself with workouts that simply do not help. On the other hand, finding the best exercise for your own body type could work wonders for getting the results you seek and motivation.
What is the Best Exercise for My Body Type?
It could well be that the best exercise for your body type will depend on different factors than what you see practiced by others at the gym. As a matter of fact, it’s easy to see extremely overweight people running day after day at the local track or on treadmills-and never slimming down?
Of course, what you eat and how often you exercise will influence the outcome. But, are you just wasting your time and effort with exercises and workouts that have no real effect on your body type?
You might be an apple, a pear, an hourglass, etc. We tend to think of exercise in a one size fits all manner, but that is not the case when it comes to different body types.
You will see farther down this post how different exercises for different parts of the body are more effective when used correctly.
What Exercise Is Best For Your Body Type?
If you questioning why your workouts diet aren’t producing the results you expect, it could be you are exercising wrong? Research has shown that tailoring an exercise program to your body type to lose weight or tone muscles works more effectively.
For example, if you have a slim build with shoulders and hips that are about the same width, your exercise regimen will be very different from that of someone with a curvy or even an upside-down A-shaped physique. Exercising for your body type rather than a one-size-fits-all exercise program is far more effective.
As a starting point, it’s important to remember that your body type is determined by your genetics. That’s down to your ancestors’ ancestry. The rest is up to you. Toning and working on specific areas of your body can be accomplished through exercises geared toward improving your specific body shape.
Exercises for Apple-Shaped People (Mesomorph)
For apple-shaped women, fat accumulates above the waist – in the chest and stomach area.
The positive to that is that you probably have a larger chest, which you can accentuate with the right clothing choices.
The negative is that maybe you don’t want to attract attention to your chest. Either way, weight loss is about health first and foremost.
Reducing fat in your midsection will help avoid chronic illness as you age.
So what types of exercises should apple-shaped people do?
In addition to regular cardio which burns fat all over the body, you might also work in a routine that includes:
- Sit ups
- Crunches
- Core exercises that include:
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Side bends
- Floor stretches
- Weight lifting exercises for toning the upper body.
As you work out with weights or do your stretching routines, focus on tucking your tailbone and pulling in your abdominal muscles. This will help you whittle away your waist no matter what form of exercise you choose.
Exercises for Pear-Shaped Women (Endomorph)
If your body type is pear-shaped, it means you tend to accumulate fat below the waist. You’re less likely to gain a potbelly; however, you do seem to struggle with problem areas. Pear shaped people are no stranger to saddle bags, hip and thigh jiggle, and possibly thicker thighs and legs in general.
Is it your mission to melt away hip, buttock and thigh fat?
- Then get on board with a regular running or jogging routine. These exercises target the legs and the buttocks and the butt. This is where you want to focus if you’re pear shaped and looking to firm up and slim down. You’ll also find a number of useful floor exercises such as leg lifts and squats, to help you tighten and tone your lower half.
- Hula hooping and roller skating also tone the legs, butt and thighs. You may quickly develop quite the lovely shape since you’re starting out with a slim waist which is a challenge for some to achieve. If you’re short on ideas, head to YouTube or google “hula hooping for fitness” or “roller skating safety” if you need some guidance on these timeless and delightfully fun forms of exercise.
It is worth noting also that people who tend to gain weight below the waist also are less susceptible to chronic disease such as heart attack because of the decrease in fat around the heart and other major organs.
Exercises for a Straight, Narrow Body Type (Ectomorph)
There are apple shaped bodies, there are pear shaped bodies… and there are also the kind with narrow hips and a small, compact frame.
If that’s you-if you’re naturally rectangular or narrow-framed, you may want to bulk up a bit.
You’re looking to create shape where you may be lacking, and that means building muscle in all the right places. In this case, focus on exercises that maximize the gluteus muscles (butt).
- If you don’t already, learn to love to go out for walks? Make sure you hit the hilly neighborhoods and hike the mountains. If you have a Stairmaster or an elliptical at home, make use of it.
- Stair and hill climbing top the list when it comes to firming and shaping up your bottom.
- As a slim person, you may also be naturally flexible. Yoga and Pilates could prove easy, fun ways to offload stress while toning your muscles.
- Side bends and core exercises can help you create definition in your waist area, and even define your abs if you’re committed to the workouts.
- Roller skating is a terrific exercise if you wish to bulk up the lower half of your body and add shape to your backside while toning the quadriceps for shapely thighs.
Wishing for a bigger chest?
Add volume to that area by building muscle. Try weightlifting and isometric exercises, such as chest presses, push-ups, yoga planks, or other movements and poses that engage the pectoral muscles. You can also develop a nice muscle tone in the arms using free weights on a regular basis.
Starting with a slim frame can be fun because you’re like a blank canvass that’s waiting to be molded. Eat a healthy, protein and veggie-rich diet, and you’re off to a great start!
Can I Change My Body Type?
Probably not? The truth of the matter is that we were born with the genetic make up for a particular body shape, and that’s it.
That means, that once you understand and accept the type of body you have, your job is to do all you can to keep it looking as good as possible. And diet and exercise that works for your particular body type is the way to do so.
It’s Your Body To Take Pride In
Taking pride in your physical appearance is critical to your sense of self-worth. Your best self is projected to you and others when you know that you are taking care of yourself physically and emotionally. “I care about my fitness, general health, and appearance.
If you’re overweight, or need to tone muscles for more defined and better looking body, exercise is the key ingredient. However, it’s important to remember that your body is your body, not someone elses.
For example, some women have ample hips – this could be from your bone structure, and all the exercise in the world won’t change that. But, it’s important to note that your job is to make what you have look as good as possible, not change what you came here with?
Maybe you’ve got more narrow hips and you wish they were wider. If that’s the case, you can do certain exercises to accentuate your waist and make your gluteus muscles stronger which will make your backside look round, perky and cute.
The Bottom Line on Exercises for Your Body Type
Most people fall into one of the 3 general body types:
- Ectomorph The person that’s very thin with narrow hips and shoulders and hardly any body fat with thin arms. This person can never seem to lose weight.
- Endomorph This is the shape that’s more round or pear shaped. It’s easy for them to store fat, and seemingly difficult to increase muscle mass.
- Mesomorph The person with stronger legs, a slim waist, and wide shoulders. This is referred to as the apple shape and generally find it easier to put on muscle and change their body shape (not type).
The bottom line is this: Genetics probably made your body the way it is, but it’s up to you to make the best of the body you have.
And the best way to do that is by sticking to the best exercises for your own body type, and always eating with your best body and best health as your guide.