Exercise to make the best of your body shape
Depending upon your genetics, as well as your exercise routine and diet,  your body shape may be quite different from those around you.
Not everyone likes the body type or shape that they are born with, but  there are ways to make the most of what you have. Here are some tips on  how to identify your body type and shape as well as how to sculpt it  with the best possible exercises.
There are six basic body types:
•8 frame or hourglass 
•A frame 
•H frame 
•V frame 
•Ruler 
•Oval/Apple
Each body frame carries weight differently and, therefore will pose  different exercise challenges to the individual.
The 8 frame is considered the perfect body shape. It is often called the  hourglass figure. For those of you lucky enough to have this naturally  proportionate shape blessed with chest and hips of the same size and a  waist ten inches smaller, your job is easy.
You can perform any type of cardio which means you can vary your work  out to keep from being bored. You should still include a regiment of  resistance training at least twice weekly. Work all of the muscles of  the body between the two days.
If you are 8 frame or an Hourglass
If you are have an hourglass figure, then you should be focusing on both  cardio and resistance exercises. Cardio will assist in keeping your  weight in check, while resistance exercises will help to maintain  balance between your upper and lower body.
Vary your repetitions and keep your resistance weights light so as not  to build too much muscle mass. Here are some great exercises that you  may want to try:
•slow jogging
•stationary biking (with light resistance)
•jumping jacks
•swimming
•bicep curls, shoulder press, and squats
The A body shape is not quite as lucky as the 8 frame. This body type is  thinner on the upper body and carries most of the body weight in the  hips, thighs, and butt. This body shape wants to avoid doing cardio  exercises that will increase the muscle size of the lower body.
This means the stair climber is out unless you want to increase the  spoon like figure proportions. Stick with the elliptical or the  treadmill without an incline. Resistance training should target the  upper body to even out the body shape. The bigger you make the upper  body muscles, the smaller the lower body will appear.
If you are a A body type
If you are an A you will want to focus on exercises that will balance  out the top half of your body with the bottom half of your body.
You will also want to try to thin down your lower half. To achieve this,  focus on aerobic activities that work out your lower body and  resistance exercises that will build your upper body. Use light weights  and perform high repetitions of exercises. Some great activities  include:
•walking
•cycling (with low resistance)
•elliptical training
•jumping rope
•leg lifts and dips
•push ups, chin ups, and shoulder press
•Training Tip:
•Cardio – 3 times per week (30 min) of low intensity exercise
•Weights- 3 times per week working the whole body and combining light  and heavy weights
The H frame body shape has a larger waist and shoulders. People with  this type of body want to concentrate on minimizing the waist. The  cardio choices for this body include the treadmill with an incline and  the stepper. Resistance training should concentrate on the lower body.  Squats and leg presses are great resistance exercises for the H body  shape.
If you are a H frame
Cardio choices should be focused trimming the upper body and bringing  out the symmetry. Such cardio tactics should include theTreadmill on an  incline
The stepper
Proper lower body training is needed for balance to bring it up to par  with the wide shoulders. Focus on squats, leg press and stiff dead lifts  as the bulk of your training, and use the extension and lunges as  finishers.
The V frame body also known as the "cone shape" has shoulders measuring  at least two inches more than the hips. This body shape is usually  bigger up top and smaller on the bottom. The goal for this body shape is  to build up the lower body to even out the body shape.
For cardio, the stepper is a good way to burn fat while increasing the  muscle tone in the legs. Avoid doing cardio that will slim the legs. As  with the H frame, resistance training should focus on the lower body.
If you are a V frame
The stepper is a good form of cardio to burn calories and add thickness  to the legs.
The treadmill on an incline is also good, but this body type is best to  avoid the elliptical machine, as it will lean the legs up too much.
To bring the legs up to speed, focus on quality leg training. Basic  power movements should compose the bulk of your leg training, such as  squats, leg presses and stiff deadlifts. Shaping exercises such as  extensions and lunges are a good finisher for legs.
The Ruler body shape is usually equally thin from bottom to top. A  person with this body shape has difficulty adding weight and shape. The  majority of exercise should be resistance training. Too much cardio will  only further minimize the body. Focus on resistance exercises for the  whole body evenly. Building muscles on the upper body and lower body  will help bring out more shape.
If you are a ruler
Running is the ideal exercise for you. This will keep your build lean.  You can do this for about half an hour. Sit-ups can also do well for you  to strengthen your abs and maybe even that prominent belly look. You  can do these 3 sets of 20 if you can.
The ideal sports that you can engage to will be volleyball and  basketball. These sports will involve your whole body and you can do  this for also half an hour. Reaching and stretching before the game will  do wonders on your upper body segment.
To ensure that you build a symmetrical body shape, all of the muscle  groups should be emphasized and routinely given a workout. Focus on:
•stretching
•sit-ups
•step classes
•spinning
•walking or jogging on an incline
•squats
•bench press and shoulder press
The apple/oval body shape is biggest in the middle, chest and stomach,  but little in the arms and legs. This body shape wants to concentrate on  cardio that will burn fat and build toned legs. The stepper and the  treadmill on incline are great cardio to lose weight all over while  still building some muscle tone on the legs.
Resistance training should concentrate on the lower body, again to build  tone in the legs.
If you are an Apple
If you are an apple, you will want to focus on aerobic training in order  to slim down and lose body fat. By working on the lower half of your  body, you can help balance out your chest and shoulders.
Look to perform exercises that are low-resistance and involve low  repetitions, such as:
•stair climbing
•walking on an incline
•running
•leg squats, leg press, and dead lifts
•The trick is, know your body shape and the exercises to use to sculpt  the masterpiece.
Note: Some women will not fit into any of these categories but the basic  principles still apply. Regular exercise, light weights or resistance  training and a healthy low fat diet will deliver lasting results over  the long term.