Body Types and Shapes

"Why can't I be as skinny as her?"  

"I wish I had muscles as big as his!"

"Why can't I look like that?"

Sound familiar?  Well you're not the only one who feels this way.  Most people aren't happy with their bodies.  Even some super models and body builders are insecure about their bodies, this is why airbrushing and steroids are so common.  Although we can't all have perfect bodies(because there is no such thing as a perfect body), we should learn how to love what we have.  If you're still not happy with your body, than you can transform it, but be aware that we can't all be as rail thin as Victoria's Secret supermodel Gisele Bundchen or as muscular as movie star Brad Pitt.  Everyone has different body types and shapes, and no matter what we do, we can't all have a hips and thighs like Columbian pop star Shakira or abs like Olympian gold medalist Michael Phelps.  With every body type and shape comes fitness goals.  In order to fulfill those fitness and health goals, you must first determine your body type and shape, and how you can work towards those goals based on your body.

Determining your body type

According to Workouts for Dummies there are three body types: Mesomorph, Ectomorph and Endomorph.  Mesomorphs are individuals who have great athletic capability and build.  They are muscular, and do not have to work very hard to obtain and maintain that muscular body.  This group also tends to have a fast metabolism which allows them to keep their narrow athletic body.  Examples of Mesomorphs are Angelina Jolie and Mario Lopez.  Ectomorphs are individuals who have slim builds.  They are slender and have trouble gaining weight(boohoo).  This group can easily loose weight(oh what a bummer), but can not obtain muscle mass or build lean muscle. Examples of Ectomorphs are Kate Moss and Adam Brody.  Endomorphs are individuals who have curvy and full builds.  They typically have thick and heavy bone mass and are prone to high fat storage.  This group can easily gain weight and are more likely to become obese. Examples are Queen Latifah and Randy Jackson.

Determining your body shape

Whether you are male of female, we both have similar body shapes and structures.  Our genetic build is what determines body shape, which means that we have no control over body shape, but we can tone our bodies according to each shape.  Unfortunately, this does mean that we can't  all have J-Lo's curvy tooshie(that you can probably set your wine glass on) or Vin Diesel's firm arms(that all women wouldn't mind having around their shoulders).  There are four body types for both men and women: pear, hourglass, ruler and apple.  Pear shaped men(no, this does not mean you are fruity) typically have larger hips and thighs compared to their torso and shoulders. These men typically have nice butts.  Pear shaped women have large hips and thighs compared to their torso and arms.  Can anyone say J-Lo butt! This group also tends to have small chests and flat stomachs.  Hourglass shaped men(no, this does not mean you have man boobs and big butts) typically have broad shoulders, narrow waists and muscular thighs.  Many football players have this type of body shape.  Hourglass shaped women have a petite waists and their shoulders and hips are similar in size.  These women tend to be very proportional.  This group also tends to have flat stomachs.  Ruler shaped men(no, this does not mean you have not gone through puberty) typically are very thin and have very little muscles mass. They rock the boyish looks. Ruler shaped women have very slender bodies with no curves.  These women are American's Next top Model material, well if they're tall.  This group typically is narrow all around.  Finally, Apple shaped men(no, this does not mean you have a beer belly...well maybe) typically have large upper bodies and chests, and have very narrow waist and hips.  These men are like big teddy bears.  Apple shaped women have large shoulders and breasts and smaller waists and tooshies.  Girls Girls Girls(if you watch family guy you know what I'm talking about)! This group tends to be very top heavy.

After reading about body types and shapes, you should have an idea of what canvas you are working with.  Once you have determined your body type and shape, you can begin to determine what workouts work best for your body and what fitness and health goals you should try to obtain.  Satisfaction is key.  When you are happy with yourself, the world is beautiful.  Until we live and breath again, "lets Jazzercise." ;)