Categorizing your body type is natural. The most common names? Hourglass, pear shaped, rectangle, &/or apple. Shape is genetic. But it is entirely possible to transform a specific body type. Paying attention to your shape is so important when it comes to working out. For instance, if your legs tend to bulk up, avoid spin class like the plague. Know the results of a workout before you jump in head first. Labeling yourself with a body type is fine, but knowing that it’s possible to change is what’s important. Pffffff, hourglass, smourglass {!!!}.
Exercising for your Figure:
+ Hourglass: fast walking with no incline, jogging/running slowly, no resistance on the elliptical, jumping jacks, leg extensions, swimming, dead lifts with little or no weights, Pilates, and/or jump rope. [ AVOID: spin, step class, roller blading, running on incline, and/or kick-boxing ].
+ Pear shaped: jumping jacks, dips, fast walking no incline, biking, jumping rope, push-ups and/or pull-ups. [ AVOID: squats, lunges, leg presses, sprinting, swimming, kick-boxing, and/or all elliptical machines ].
+ Rectangle: spinning, push-ups, sprinting, swimming, kick-boxing, squats, lunges, dips, all upper or lower body exercises with moderate to high resistance, and/or rowing. [ AVOID: leg lifts, too much resistance on legs, and/or vertical scissors ].
+ Apple: spinning, squats, lunges, leg presses, dead lifts, ankle weights, low-impact step class, all lower-body exercises using moderate resistance, slow walking on incline, inner-outer high machines, and/or full sit-ups. [ AVOID: bench pressing, decline push-ups, rowing, hand weights, jumping rope, kick-boxing, all upper-body exercises with moderate to heavy resistance, and/or triceps extensions.
++ P.S. most women are spoons or pear shaped, most men are rulers or cones! Take this quiz for body clarification!
{{ Source: the above information on body types & exercises associated with them have been excerpted from the book, Escape Your Shape, written by Edward Jackowski, Ph.D. & published by Simon & Schuster. To learn more about exercising properly for your body type, visit www.exude.com }}.
What about tightening up your thighs when you’re a pear shape?
Jessica @ {Chic Sugar} recently posted..Me, Myself, and I
Pilates! It does wonders! ; )
Jillian Michaels was the first to really teach me about working out for your body shape – this is great advice!
Erica recently posted..Brunch & Egg Rolls
Thanks doll. Love Jillian Michaels!
What is a spoon body type? I’ve never heard this term. Thanks, Lauryn!
I was just going to ask the same question!
I categorized the body types with pictures & clarified their names ; ). Hope that helps! xo
VERY INTERESTING POST..Pear-shaped is a metaphorical term with several meanings, all in reference to the shape of a (European) pear, i.e. tapering towards the top (botanically this is the bottom, the stem end) and rounded at the bottom (botanically this is the apex).
Thank you!
What exactly is spoon-shaped?
I think you should explain what each of the body types include; rather than a picture. Some women think they are certain body types but aren’t.
Totally agreed, will do this in a further post! Take this quiz for clarification: http://www.youthink.com/quiz.cfm?action=go_detail&sub_action=take&obj_id=127243
is running ok for pears?
Yes, just try on flat land thought, not uphill!
What workout machines work best at the gym for a pear shape? And why no elliptical?
I’m a really good endurance runner and I was told since I have a pear shaped body I have an advantage at running because my muscles in my thighs, hips, and butt build faster than any other part of my body. I just hate the fact that I can’t wear jeans.