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Best Workout for Your Body Type
General Classifications of body sizes are mainly based on the circumference
of the bust-waist-hip, as in 34-24-36 (inches) respectively. In this case, the
waist-hip ratio is 24/36 = 0.67. Many terms or classifications are used to
describe body shape types:
- V shape: Males tend to have proportionally smaller buttocks, bigger
chests and wider shoulders, which makes for a V-shape of the torso. V-shaped
males are considered attractive.
- Hourglass shape: The female body is significantly narrower in the
waist both in front view and profile view. The waist is narrower than the
chest region due to the breasts, and narrower than the hip region due to the
width of the buttocks, which results in an attractive hourglass shape.
- Apple: The stomach region is wider than the hip section, mainly in
males.
- Pear or spoon or bell: The hip section is wider than the upper
body, mainly in females.
- Rectangle or straight or banana: The hip, waist, and shoulder
sections are relatively similar.
Most people can be placed into a particular category of body
type, mesomorph, ectomorph, or endomorph. These body types have
different characteristics, and you should tailor your workout to whichever you
belong. Here's the skinny on the different types of bodies:
- A mesomorph can be defined in one word: muscular. If you're a meso,
you can increase your muscle size quickly and easily. The well-developed,
rectangular shapes of mesomorphs are representative of their thick bones and
muscles, keep in mind that being a meso may also mean you have poor
flexibility. If you are a characteristic mesomorph, you have a well-defined
chest and shoulders that are both larger and broader than your waistline.
Your abdomen is taut and your hips are generally the same width as your
shoulders. Your buttocks, thighs, and calves are all toned and defined.
As muscularly defined, athletic-looking individuals, mesomorphs are full of
energy, are physically capable of a lot of activity, and tend to be aggressive
athletically. Although mesomorphs generally store fat evenly all over their
bodies, they can become overweight if they are sedentary and consume a
high-fat and/or high-calorie diet.
Cardiovascular disease can be a primary threat to an overweight meso, so if
you fit into that category, your best method of prevention is to maintain a
healthy diet and a balanced exercise regime. Craving physical activity and
constantly seeking action, the mesomorph makes a great athlete. As a meso, you
excel in sports that require great strength, short bursts of energy, and lots
of power. Mesos like lifting weights and avoid the cardio equipments.
- The ectomorph body type is slim. If you're an ecto, you're
probably a tall, slender individual who has trouble gaining weight (oh
darn!).The perfect example of an ecto is a fashion model.
An ectomorph is relatively linear in shape with a delicate build, narrow hips
and pelvis, and long arms and legs. As an ecto, your muscle and bone outlines
are usually visible, and you normally have less fat and muscle mass than
people with other body types. Remember, though, that you probably don't have
all the features of a characteristic endomorph, but a blend of features from
more than one body type.
Your primary concern as an ectomorph is your frail stature consisting of
small bones and joints that have a tendency to be injured easily during
sporting activities. Your body type is naturally suited to perform wonderfully
in endurance activities. Just remember: Balancing your activities is the key.
Like mesomorphs, ectos have a tendency to stick with what they do best, and
ectos excel at cardiovascular training. You find balance in your workouts when
you do both aerobic and muscle training.
- The endomorph body type is curvy. The soft, flowing curves of an
endo are similar to that of an hourglass in more ways than one. If you're an
endomorph, your body fat may have a tendency to settle into the lower
regions of your body, predominantly the lower abdomen, hips, and thighs,
rather than being distributed evenly throughout your body. Keep in mind,
though, that most endomorphs don't have all the features of characteristic
endomorph, but a blend of features from other body types as well.
An endomorph body typically has the capacity for high fat storage, and
unfortunately puts fat on pretty easily. Although all body types are
susceptible to excessive weight gain, as an endomorph, you are more inclined
to become obese. The majority of your body weight is either centered in the
middle of your body or in your hip and buttocks regions. A metaphor frequently
used to describe an endomorph body type is pear-shaped. A pear resembles a
body that has more weight in the lower region, like the hips and thighs, than
the upper portion of the body. Structurally, as an endo, you have small to
medium bones, limbs that are shorter in relation to your trunk, and
musculature that is not well defined.
From top to bottom, your soft swelling curves create full, rounded shoulders,
limbs, and a full trunk. Voluptuous and sensual are the descriptions given to
many endomorph females whose soft body contours and deep curves create an
allure.
A male endomorph (known as an android) tends to have a different fat
distribution pattern from a female endomorph (known as a gynoid). Female endos
usually collect fat in their butts, legs, and hips, while most males collect
fat in their abdomen (the "spare tire" or "love handle"
look). Many research studies have shown that abdominal fat deposition is much
more dangerous than fat in the leg and butt area. This is primarily due to the
danger of heart disease and an increased risk of diabetes, stroke, some
cancers, and high blood pressure.
Your major health concern as an endo is maintaining a healthy body weight.
Excessive amounts of body fat can place you in jeopardy of cardiovascular
disease. Remember that the risk of such disease is increased if the majority
of the fat is carried in the center of your body surrounding your heart. This
danger can easily be avoided by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising. The
joints of your lower body may be another health concern. Because these joints
are already highly susceptible to injury, high-impact sports or activities may
be damaging to them, especially if you carry excess body weight.
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