by Shauna Zamarripa

Created on: October 15, 2008   Last Updated: October 30, 2008

Not all exercise routines are created equal, because not all bodies are created the same way. The fitness routine that might work wonders for one individual might not make the slightest difference to someone else. The reason for this is because each individual has a unique body type that requires its own unique training methods.

Your body type is determined by your genetics and your activity levels and eating habits as a child. When a child enters puberty the amount of fat cells they have will remain at that number for the rest of their lives, and can only shrink or expand based on activity and eating habits in adulthood. Combined with predispositions to gaining weight or having a speedy metabolism, written into your genetic code, the focus needs to be shifted from replicating someone else's routine and exercising for your body type.

According to the professionals you will most typically find three different body types: A, B and C. We will explore these in greater detail.

A Type
The A type body has very fast metabolism gifted to them by genetics. They are the person you probably hate because they can eat anything and never gain a pound. However, dependent upon eating habits as a child, they might not have their weight distributed evenly and can loose muscle tone and definition quickly. A type bodies are also predisposed to gaining weight around the mid section if they fall into sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits.

They have naturally low body fat and have a difficult time putting on weight. A type bodies will benefit most from equal distributions of cardio training and whole body weight training. For example, 3 (30 min) sessions of low intensity cardio exercise and 3 times a week with weight training working on the entire body, combining both heavy and light weights is an ideal routine for the A type.

B Type
Type B bodies are what many people fall into. B types gain weight very easily, have a naturally rounded body and have a difficult time getting muscle definition. Type B bodies have the highest percentages of body fat, and were probably less active as children and were also probably raised with poor eating habits. Type B bodies love to eat, however, they love to eat things that aren't going to benefit their workout plan or fitness goals.

The best plan for someone that is a B type body is to participate at least 4 times per week in high intensity cardio training and two times per week with weight training, offering light weight with high levels of repetition.

C Type
Type C bodies are very lean naturally, and like the A type has a fast metabolism, given to them genetically. Typically those with a C type body were athletic as children and have maintained that athleticism well into adult hood. This benefits the C type body because they can easily gain muscle definition and lose weight without much effort.

It takes very little training to make a C type body look healthy, fit and toned. C type bodies require the least amount of exercise and are best suited with low intensity cardio between 2 3 times per week and weight training 1 -2 times per week focusing on whole body lifting.

Knowing your body type is half the battle. Once you have discovered which type you fall into, you can then devise and adjust your routine to get those results you've been missing.

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