By: Karen Sessions

Anyone who has ever worked out can tell you that there is not just one exercise program to fit all. If you are like most ladies, I'm sure there are body parts that you would like trim down, and others that you would like to add more size and shape to.

With all the conflicting information available to you, are you confused on how to properly workout to meet your body's needs? There is a solution. Identifying your body shape can remove a lot of the guesswork and refine your exercise program to satisfy your needs.

Your body shape is a direct result of your genetics, as well as lifestyle. You are a blueprint of your parents, grandparents, and so on. As true as this may be, you do have the power to change the plan. This change is made possible through your lifestyle, which are your food choices and activity level.

Basic Body Shape

There are 6 basic body shape frames that ladies fall into, and they are:

By: Christine Hardy

I hear it all of the time in one form or another, "I don't want to lift weights because I don't want big muscles" or "I just do aerobics and sit-ups because I don't want to look like a man." Then there is my all time favorite, the turning around while pointing to the rear end advising, "I have to lose weight in this area." Thoroughly convinced that profuse sweating is the key to an optimal physique, these women robotically enter the gym armed with an unwavering purpose... to SWEAT off the extra pounds!

And so, you observe these women frantically peddling on the stationary bikes, furiously stepping away on the stair masters, and feverishly trying to crunch themselves into a smaller clothing size. Don't even mention incorporating strength training into their meticulously planned workouts. These die-hards won't even glance at resistance training equipment let alone venture over into the free weight area.

Common Female Training Myths

By: Lisa Sutton

On the way to the gym the other day, while stopped at a red light, I happened to see two teen-aged girls, probably no more than fourteen or fifteen, walking down the sidewalk--certainly not a sight that would ever command my attention beyond a passing glance if that. However, these two young girls captured my attention. They wore tight, sleeveless half shirts and shorts cut high onto their thighs.

Yah, That Nasty

Immediately, I noticed that both of them were rail thin. I was thunderstruck. I couldn't believe my eyes! From where I sat in my car, I could see their collarbones. Their arms and legs were so thin that their knee and elbow joints looked disproportionately large and out of place. I watched them pass by and as they continued down the sidewalk, I couldn't help but note their protruding shoulder blades.

By: Joe Franco

Over the last decade, researchers have made extremely compelling arguments for the benefits of weight training for women and those over the age of forty. Still, the number of women who take this recommendation to heart is still quite low.

Most women who exercise are spending most of their gym time on cardiovascular exercise, and less time using resistance that challenges their bodies. Resistance training does not have to be hitting the weight room with an all-male crowd and intimidating machines.

You have options and you owe it to yourself to explore them. There are specific women only fitness centers now available. However, you still need to find the right one that will allow your body and mind to grow rather than doing the same old routine without progressive resistance.

I haven't been a big fan of using numbers such as body weight and body fat to track progress over the past few years. In fact, I have pretty much avoided weighing myself or taking any kind of measurements for that matter.

I consider myself a student of Max-OT and one of my training goals this year was to gain a greater understanding of the Max-OT principles. I also wanted to make sure that I was implementing what I have learned to the best of my abilities each and every workout.

Have you been working out like a maniac lately without any significant results? Been strictly dieting without giving in to treats but still you just don't have that six-pack of abs you really want and deserve? Well, time to figure out the reasons why your body is fighting you!