How to Identify Your Body Shape?

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Did you know that understanding your body shape is a vital aspect of achieving your fitness goals? Anyone who has been trying to lose weight will tell you that working out doesn’t offer a one-size-fits-all solution - no two bodies are the same which means everybody needs an individual approach.

​However, female bodies are categorised into 6 body shapes. That makes it easier for you to understand your strength's and areas to work on to build a balanced body.
 
With so much conflicting advice available when it comes to working out, it’s natural that you may be slightly confused what the best workout methods are for your needs. The good news is that there is a simple solution: identifying your body shape.
 
If you want to determine which workout is best for you, you need to take the time to identify your body shape, so that you are able to choose the right workout for your specific needs.

​Wondering what your body shape is a result of? Usually a combination of your genetics and lifestyle choices, such as what you eat and how often you exercise. Here are the 6 body shapes and how to identify yours.

The A-Frame

This body type is also known as ‘The Spoon’ shape. This body shape tends to carry extra weight in the lower regions, such as on their thighs, buttocks and hips, while they have a smaller bust and waist.
 
Best exercise? This body shape should focus on lower body cardio to get rid of any excess weight. For this, walking, cycling or using the elliptical machine can work well. As for resistance training, to increase strength in the upper body and balance the shape out, shoulder presses, lateral rises and pulldowns are suggested. 

The V-Frame

This shape is also known as ‘The Cone’ as woman with this body shape tend to have shoulders that are more than two inches wider than their hips. This figure usually comes with a large bust, but narrow hips and small legs.
 
Best exercise? To add strength to the legs, the stepper machine is a good option, as is the treadmill on an upwards incline.. Squats, leg presses, and deadlifts can also be good for this body shape. 

The H-Frame

This body shape is seen on women who have an athletic build but with a large waist, shoulders and lack symmetry. This body shape is square and somewhat blocky.
 
Best exercise? The best exercises to focus on for this body shape is cardio that trims down the upper body, such as using the treadmill on an upper incline or the stepper machine. To bring balance to this body shape and even things out, lower body resistance is needed, bringing strength to the legs. Squats and leg presses are ideal for this. 

The Ruler

​This is a body shape where the hips, shoulders and chest are all fairly equal. This is a lady who is lean, carries little fat, and doesn’t gain weight easily.
 
Best exercise? Cardio exercise should be kept to a minimum to avoid unnecessary muscle mass loss. Resistance training can be beneficial though. Each muscle group should be trained once weekly, to maintain strength and tone. 

The 8 Frame

Also known as ‘The Hourglass’, this body shape is considered to be genetically gifted, because it is a shape that conveys the person is the proper height and weight for their frame, and because of this, every aspect of their body is in harmony.
 
Best exercise? Any cardio activity is fine, just as long as it’s balanced with resistance training. For bodybuilding or fitness, this is the ultimate frame. To stay healthy, changing up the workout program once every six to eight weeks could be a good idea. 

The Oval Frame

​This frame, also known as ‘The Apple’, is of average height, has a large bust, thin legs, and puts on weight in the mid section.
 
Best exercise? To generate overall weight loss, regular cardio workouts are necessary. As for resistance training, workouts should focus on full body to aid general fat loss and aid a balanced body transformation.