Being at home in lockdown has got most of us moving around a bit less than we would usually.
We’re barely hitting our daily steps, our bodies are feeling a little more stiff than usual and our Apple Watch circles are nowhere near completed.
So trying to get in little at-home workouts is just what we need to keep or bodies moving a little bit.
MORE: Benefits of exercise and best workouts for women for all ages
And now a fitness expert has revealed the best exercises for each body type, explaining easy and efficient moves you can do while you’re at home.
GlamFIT Studios Coach and Weight Loss Mindset Specialist Jenna Rigby has explained each body shape and how different exercises work for the shapes.
Here’s how to work out for your body shape…
Best workout moves for each body shape
Rectangle (a.k.a. Banana) shape exercises
“A rectangle is a straight up and down body type where your measurements are usually the same in all areas,” explains Jenna. “Women with this body type often strive to create curves that don’t naturally occur.”
Best exercises for banana shapes
“To enhance and create curves, dedicate particular days of exercise to the specific body parts you want to enhance.
“For example, to build a booty you need to focus on building muscle through Glute exercises such as squats.
“When muscle needs to be created, weighted exercises such as deadlifts and weighted lunges will help you build those areas quicker.”
Triangle (a.k.a. Pear) shape exercises
“Triangle is one of the most common body types, your shoulders and bust are narrower than your hips and you tend to have slim arms.”
Best exercises for pear shapes
“To begin with, focus on fat burn around the stubborn areas – this can be achieved through HIIT-style workouts which keep you in the fat burning zone the longest.
“Keep each workout varied and focused on exercising the whole body evenly. And don’t forget those beautiful arms!
“They’re already slim so perfect to get toned up quickly and look good in those sleeveless dresses.”
Inverted Triangle (a.k.a. Apple) shape exercises
“If your shoulders and bust are larger than your relatively narrow hips, you have what’s known as an inverted triangle and are often seen as ‘top heavy’.”
Best exercises for apple shapes
“Posture is key in enhancing this body type. Try pairing up chest and back day to provide strength in these areas and help to elevate your posture.
“My favourite chest exercise has to be press-ups, and lateral pulldown and hyper back extension are great for the back.”
Diamond shape exercises
“If you have broader hips than shoulders, a narrow bust, and a fuller waistline, you have what’s called a diamond body shape,” explains Jenna.
“With this, you may carry a little more weight in your upper legs.”
Best exercises for diamond shapes
“Start by defining your legs – running and uphill walking will help create that definition.
“This body type also often has a naturally flat stomach so HIIT training works well to maximise fat-burn in this area and show off your best features.
“My favourite stomach burners have to be bicycles and lying leg raises.”
Hourglass shape exercises
“Often the most desired body type, your buttocks and bust are well-balanced, and the waist is also defined,” says Jenna. “Your body is generally in proportion throughout.”
Best exercises for hourglass shapes
“Your workouts need to be evenly balanced amongst all body areas to avoid losing those curves.
“Starting with cardio and moving onto a full body circuit routine is the best way to burn fat evenly. Circuit classes, CrossFit, and dance often work well for these body types.”
Athletic shape exercises
“If you’re naturally muscular but not particularly curvy, you have an athletic body type – your shoulder and hip measurements are about the same,” explains Jenna.
“Your waist is narrower than your shoulder and hips, but it isn’t overly defined and looks more straight up and down.”
Best exercises for athletic shapes
“This body type is perfect for weight training and muscle definition can easily be achieved to create curves in all the right places.
“Weighted Squats and Deadlifts compound exercises will help build the lower body curves and supersets on the biceps and triceps (bicep curls and tricep pull-downs) will provide arms envied by many.”
Jenna added, “It’s important to remember with any body type, cardio and fat-burning activities will always help enhance your figure and get your body type looking its best.
“Keep your workouts initially focusing on the full body and then move onto enhancing your best features 3-6 months into a routine. Toning is not about losing your best features it’s all about embracing and showing them off!”
