The Pear Shape Body Type: What Exercises are Best

Body Types: Pear Shape

You probably already have a good idea of whether or not you have a pear shape. If you’ve always carried most of your weight below the belt, chances are good that you’re a pear. Pears may actually be healthier than apples since pears carry mostly subcutaneous fat. This is the kind of fat you can pinch. It’s right under the skin. To find out for sure if you’re a pear, check your waist to hip ratio. If your waist to hip ration is 0.8 or less, you are a pear shape. If that number is greater than 0.8, you’re an apple.

Bringing Balance to the Pear

Women with pear shaped bodies may appear slightly out of balance. They have a small upper body that can seem even smaller in comparison to their bigger lower body proportions. The answer for bringing balance to the pear shape is exercise. Exercise can help slim down the hips and thighs as well as build up the shoulders, arms, and chest. This combination will bring the pear shaped body into better proportion.

Cardio for the Lower Body

Cardiovascular exercise is the key for both body types. Pear shape bodies will benefit from cardiovascular exercise that works the lower body. Walking, jogging/running, stair-climbing and roller skating are great choices for women with larger lower bodies. You’ll firm up the lower body while burning extra calories and fat. Try to do some form of lower body-focused cardio at least 4 times a week for 30-60 minutes.

Upper Body Balance

Pear shaped body types are known for having smaller arms, shoulders, and chests. For this reason, it’s a good idea to add muscle building exercises that build up these areas. Doing this will go a long way in improving overall body proportion. Try rowing, hand weight workouts, weight machines, and calisthenics that work the upper body muscles. Work each upper body muscle group at least 2 times a week. You could work the arms and chest on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and the shoulders and back on Tuesday and Thursday. Be sure to allow a day of rest between workouts for each muscle group.

Resources

1. https://www.healthcalculators.org/calculators/waist_hip.asp