The contribution of exercise to figure improvement is of particular concern to women. Exercise can help to control body fatness at the same time as it firms flabby muscles. The circumference of the waist, for instance, gets smaller if the abdominal muscles are exercised. Endurance exercises decrease the body fat throughout the body. The reduction of fat thickness at selected sites cannot be accomplished by localized exercises of the muscles at or near these sites. In other words, ‘spot reduction’ of fat is of little use.

The principles of exercise apply to men and women alike. Exercise activity should be sufficiently taxing, regularly performed, and progressive in intensity for worthwhile results. The choice of the form of exercise depends upon the purposes sought. Women need not be overly concerned that they will develop big muscles since even men who undertake a long-term, intensive programme of weight lifting for strength improvement often find it extremely difficult to increase the size of their muscles.

A minimal daily exercise programme for women should include exercises for the abdominal area leg lifts or sit-ups) and a brisk, 15 minute, walk. The benefits accruing from these two exercises are not normally included in a woman’s working day. Getting out of the house could be psychologically beneficial as well.