Identifying your body type can help you understand how your body responds to different types of exercise. There are three main categories of body types; Ectomorph, Endomorph, and Mesomorph. (I know… they all sound straight from a comic book or something)
The ectomorph is the typical “hard gainer”. Generally, they are very slender and tall. Their muscles are light and their shoulders are rather small. It takes loads of work for a person like this to gain a lot of muscle mass.
The endomorph is the second body type. These people have a “soft” body. A lot of work is required to lose weight, their hips are broad, and their overall physique is more round.
The endomorph is the second body type. These people have a “soft” body. A lot of work is required to lose weight, their hips are broad, and their overall physique is more round.
The third type is the mesomorph. Mesomorphs are naturally more muscular than all the others. Men have broader shoulders, and women have an “hourglass” figure. It is the easiest for these people to gain muscle mass and still stay leaner than the endomorph. The majority of professional body builders are mesomorphs.
Ok….So what does this all mean?
Well.. for one thing, we now know that if a mesomorph and an ectomorph (who are the same weight, height, body fat percentage, etc), follow an identical workout routine, which one will gain more muscle. Conversely, we will also know which one will get skinnier if they follow an identical weight loss routine.
How does this affect you?
It comes down to you knowing your body.
What are you?
Meso, Ecto, or Endo? Or which combination of the three?
Once you figure that out, we can weigh the variables. If you are an endomorph that wants to lose body fat, it may be harder than the ectomorph running on the treadmill next to you. Don’t be discouraged.. just understand how your body naturally responds to exercise.
If you are an ectomorph that strictly wants to add some lean body mass, you are going to have to work harder than the mesomorph benchpressing right next to you. You may even want to cut down on the cardio. None of your goals should be compromised based on your body type.. the only thing that needs to change is the type (and intensity) of the training.
What all of this really means is that you have to be in touch with your body. You know best how your body responds to different forms of exercise. Sometimes if you have specific goals, your work outs may require a little bit of homework.
The Ectomorphs
The Endomorphs
The Mesomorphs
We also don’t have to fall into just one category. There are many combinations of these three categories such as ecto mesomorphs, or endo mesomorphs.
Ok….So what does this all mean?
Well.. for one thing, we now know that if a mesomorph and an ectomorph (who are the same weight, height, body fat percentage, etc), follow an identical workout routine, which one will gain more muscle. Conversely, we will also know which one will get skinnier if they follow an identical weight loss routine.
How does this affect you?
It comes down to you knowing your body.
What are you?
Meso, Ecto, or Endo? Or which combination of the three?
Once you figure that out, we can weigh the variables. If you are an endomorph that wants to lose body fat, it may be harder than the ectomorph running on the treadmill next to you. Don’t be discouraged.. just understand how your body naturally responds to exercise.
If you are an ectomorph that strictly wants to add some lean body mass, you are going to have to work harder than the mesomorph benchpressing right next to you. You may even want to cut down on the cardio. None of your goals should be compromised based on your body type.. the only thing that needs to change is the type (and intensity) of the training.
What all of this really means is that you have to be in touch with your body. You know best how your body responds to different forms of exercise. Sometimes if you have specific goals, your work outs may require a little bit of homework.
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