Do you feel that your exercise isn't getting you anywhere? Did you start working out with an image of a new you, tall and willowy, when you are actually short and stocky? Well, stop trying to exercise towards an impossible goal. Learn to exercise to suit your own body type.

What are body types?

We are all different. Just as some people have brown hair and others have blonde, some people are tall and slim, while others are short and stocky. Still others have softly rounded curves.

Unfortunately, fashion decrees that we are only attractive and desirable if we are tall and slender. But, in fact most people fit into one of three different body types, and however hard you work out, you cannot change your basic shape.

The three types are ectomorphs, who are long and lean, mesomorphs, who are muscular, and endomorphs who are round, and somewhat pear-shaped.

Most women tend to fight their body shapes, but you need to understand and accept what genetics has handed you, and learn to be comfortable in your own body.

Strength training

An effective workout needs to include strength training. This way you increase the ratio of fat to muscle in your body, and achieve a more compact, firm and toned body.

Many women neglect strength training, and bemoan their flabby upper arms and thighs. Regular use of weights will overcome this, in any body type.

Exercise for specific body types

Ectomorphs are lean, often flat-chested and have long legs. They often have low back problems and are prone to osteoporosis As a result they need strength training as well as a cardiovascular workout.

Ectopmorphs should use weights two or three times a week for 45 minutes to one hour. Their cardiovascular routine can include any of the usual exercises such as running, cycling and swimming.

Mesomorphs tend to be muscular and athletic. They have medium to large bones, and their weight is distributed evenly throughout the body, with a high ratio of muscle to fat.

Strength training needs to be regular and light. Using heavy weights will tend to lead to bulky muscles.

They tend to put on weight around the waist, so need good aerobic exercise to keep this weight off: at least 30 minutes, up to five times a week.

Endomorphs have soft, rounded, naturally curvaceous bodies, usually with a high percentage of fat. If endomorphs want to lose weight they need to do low to moderate intensity aerobic work at least five days a week for at least 45 minutes. Walking is particularly good exercise, as is cycling and swimming.

Strength training should focus on building the upper body to firm the muscles.

All body types should stretch well at the beginning and end of each exercise session, to avoid injury and keep supple.

How to tell your body type

This is a very rough guide, but you will probably have a fair idea where you fall anyway.

Put your hand around your wrist. If your thumb and forefinger overlap, you are an ectomorph, if they touch, you are a mesomorph, and if they do not touch at all, you are an endomorph.