We all have a certain kind of body shape and depending on which type it is can determine where on our bodies the weight will go if we put on weight and also where it is likely to drop from if we lose weight. The basics of our body shape is normally determined by our genetics, we may have the same kind of shape and frame as one of our parents. To a certain extent we can control our body shape through exercise and a healthy diet.
So what type of shape are we, how can we tell. This will differ from person to person and can be exaggerated on one person compared to another, so it is easier to tell with some people than it is others. First of all there are three types of body, the first being a Endomorph, this body type is likely to be stocky and be big boned, they tend to carry a higher percentage of body fat, this body type can gain weight easy and also gain muscle relatively easy through weight training, they make the best bodybuilders. Then there is Mesomorph which is a more athletic body type being leaner, this body type can also gain muscle mass fairly easily. Lastly there is Ectomorph, the thin one, this body type has less shape with slim hips and shoulders and is the opposite to an endomorph, as they find it hard to gain weight and muscle mass.
Now on to body shape itself, most people would have heard of these shapes describing a body, but depending on what type we are can determine where we might concentrate our exercising efforts.
Lets start with the Ruler, this shape is straight with little curves and is likely to be an ectomorph, exercise for this body type would be to hit all areas equally, if this body type gained weight then it would be gained fairly evenly. Exercise will need to take the whole body into consideration equally and weight training is a great exercise for this body shape to gain some muscle mass and shape.
Then there is the classic hourglass shape which can be an endomorph or mesomorph and has a proportional upper and lower body with a slim waist and will tend to put weight on first in the chest and hip areas. When exercising try to do a good amount of cardiovascular work to keep the weight in check and some light weight training for the upper and lower body.
The apple is the smaller lower body with the larger upper body and tends to put weight on around the waist or butt area, they are mesomorph or endomorph. Exercise will need to focus on losing body fat from the upper body through some aerobic type exercise, whilst build the lower body with some weight training.
The pear is a smaller upper body with a larger lower body and weight mainly goes to the hips and thighs and is normally a mesomorph. To build the upper body train with weights to build muscle mass, whilst choosing some aerobic exercises that will target the lower body to trim it down.
The body shape is not always cut and dry and may combine two of these recognized body shapes, these are just a guide. To really find out what parts of your body that need to be worked on or concentrated on then stand naked in front of a full length mirror and look at where you would like to make the changes. If you are looking pretty good except your thighs are really bigger than you would like and your upper arms are also a bit bigger than you want, then do some exercises to target those two areas. You will still need to Exercise your Whole Body, but just put extra effort into targeting those two areas and you will soon find that it is possible to sculpt your body.
