When it comes to a vigorous work-out, most men tend to work harder on the upper body in comparison to women. However, there are some women who can and have achieved the upper body strength of some very fit men.

Most women partly out of the desire to look attractive tend to focus on exercises for the buttocks and legs. In these areas, women have an advantage over men because their pelvis tilts at a different angle than a man's. This effects the efficiency and style in the way women do squats. For example, women are more likely to benefit by tilting their feet outward with their legs apart while doing squats and they don't need to squat as low as men do.

Overall, women tend to have less muscle mass as compared to men though they do have additional layers in the stomach and hence have higher percentages of body fat on an average. This is why most women prefer to do exercises to increase their muscle tone and flexibility rather than bulk up and incur injuries by lifting too much.

Men on the other hand tend to be less flexible because of their natural body structure and also in attitude. Most men do not complete their essential warm up stretching exercises before they begin their vigorous routine.

Women are more open to trying out exercise routines that are novel or different such as pilates or yoga. These exercises tend to focus on improving flexibility and overall fitness. Over time a good pilates or yoga routine also helps to improve strength.

Yoga, for example focuses on optimizing balance which is achieved when the muscles helps support the joints and skeletal structure in a dynamic way. Once a person achieves this balance it will automatically help build strength.

Pilates on the other hand is a very coordinated exercise that concentrates more on controlling certain muscle groups so that better strength and posture can be achieved.

Thus, both pilates and yoga are therapeutic exercises that help reduce spine and joint problems. They along with other similar coordinated systems that have become popular in the West over the last 2 decades focus on integrating the mind and body.

The bottom line is that even though both men and women pay more importance to certain exercise values, they can both benefit by adapting certain aspects of the routines of the opposite sex.