How we shape up
It’s not just apples and pears when it comes to women’s figures
ALTHOUGH we all come in different sizes and every body is unique, extensive studies show there are five basic body shapes that women fall into. What determines body shape? Based on these studies, the bone structure, age and genetics of a person play a vital role.
The good news is, if you know how to identify your body shape, you’ll be able to work with it in order to improve your health.
◗ APPLE: Those women who have an apple-shaped figure usually carry excess weight around their abdomens, resulting in a poorly defined waistline.
Likewise, weight gains go directly to the tummy area (most of the time), leading to a rounded profile.
Those who carry extra weight around the midsection are at a higher risk of heart problems, diabetes, depression, breast cancer and even fertility issues.
In order to reduce your waistline, try to do 30 minutes of cardio exercise daily.
◗ RECTANGLE: Fat is distributed so evenly the measurements of the hips, chest and waist are almost the same – this gives the body the “straight ruler” shape.
You can still be overweight with a ruler body but many slim women also fall into this category. Ruler-shaped women usually have a faster metabolism, which means it’s easy for them to lose weight through diet and exercise.
The cause of frustration may come for those who want a shapelier figure. Program resistance training may help to sculpt the body.
◗ PEAR: This is considered the most common body shape. Women of this figure have larger hips than bust measurements. The weight usually settles on the hips, bums and thighs.
Without careful management, pear-shaped women usually gain weight around the waistline and abdomen.
In order to maintain a healthy weight, women of this shape should focus on cardiovascular exercises targeting the lower body. Resistance training of the upper body could also help in balancing the shape.
◗ HOURGLASS: Only 8% of women are lucky enough to achieve this feminine physique. For hourglass-shaped ladies, the bust and hip measurements are of a similar size and their waist measurement narrower.
The weight gain usually goes to the chest, hips, arms and bum rather than the abdomen. The weight distribution tends to be even – it doesn’t accumulate on one body part. To maintain their figure, women of this body shape should concentrate on full-body workouts such as circuit training.
◗ INVERTED TRIANGLE: The inverted triangle body shape is the most ideal athletic body type. The upper body is proportionally large.
Women with this body type usually have broad shoulders, a wide back, slim hips and the lower half of the body tends to be flat. Their best asset is their beautiful legs.
Your exercise goal is to build up the lower body to even out your body shape. Cardio is also necessary.