Strong muscles, minimal fat, and firm skin –
what really determines your body shape?
Slim, defined, muscular, or curvy – everyone has their own idea of the perfect body shape. Several key factors shape your body contours, with fat, muscle, and connective tissue having the greatest impact. The way your body looks and is structured depends on the amount and distribution of fat and muscle, along with the firmness of your connective tissue. Let’s explore which of these elements you can influence and how gender affects them.
Good fat vs. bad fat
Adipose tissue (fat) often has a bad reputation as the culprit behind unwanted curves, making many people eager to eliminate it. However, it plays many vital roles in the body: it stores heat, protects organs, and serves as an energy reserve. Fat isn’t inherently bad – it’s actually essential for survival.
It only becomes a nuisance rather than an asset when it accumulates in excess, creating unwanted curves. This often happens due to an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. There are two main types of adipose tissue: visceral fat and subcutaneous fat. Visceral fat is located in the abdominal cavity and performs various essential functions there. Subcutaneous fat sits just beneath the skin.
Weight gain increases both types of fat, but while excess visceral fat triggers hormone production that can have negative health effects, subcutaneous fat is usually not detrimental to health. However, it’s this fat beneath the skin – the subcutaneous fat – that creates stubborn fat deposits on areas like the thighs, buttocks, arms, and chin. In other words, it’s subcutaneous fat that causes your body to look “out of shape”.
Sculpting your body with muscle
Muscles also play a crucial role in shaping the body. They support movement, ensure a functional musculoskeletal system, and provide strength. Additionally, muscles burn energy, making them essential for maintaining a stable weight and aiding in weight loss.
With regular, targeted training, you can work on making specific muscle groups more defined and thereby reshape your body. However, it’s important to note that fat is lost across the entire body at once rather than in isolated areas – even though there are many common myths that suggest otherwise.
Genetic influences mean that muscle growth is different for women compared to men. Women typically build muscle more slowly and to a lesser extent, but the same exercises effectively enhance strength and definition for both sexes. Ultimately, as with most things in life, everyone has their own unique needs and goals when it comes to getting in shape.
The real secret of firm skin
Men are often more blessed when it comes to firm skin, thanks to the influence of testosterone. The “male hormone” – present in all bodies but in significantly lower concentrations in women – affects the structure of connective tissue. In women, connective tissue fibres run parallel, while higher testosterone levels create a lattice-like structure in men. This lattice-like structure provides greater firmness, preventing irregularities in fatty tissue from pushing into the upper skin layers. As a result, men tend to have smoother and firmer looking skin, particularly on the thighs.
