What's Your Body Type?

There are three major body types: endomorphs, ectomorphs, and mesomorphs. Some of us are a combination of these three types, but our bodies generally favor one more than the other three. Understanding which body type you are will allow you to find exercise techniques that more efficiently work towards your goals — whether that’s weight loss or muscle development. Let’s go through the types in detail to find out more about each one.

Mesomorph

The muscle man; mesomorphs are usually those muscular people you see at the gym. Mesomorphs develop muscle more easily than the other two body types. They typically have wider shoulders, narrower hips, and have long, round, muscular bellies. Now, just because a mesomorph has a lot of muscle doesn’t mean they can get away with not doing exercise.

Eventually doing nothing and eating badly will catch up with everyone. When it comes to training, mesomorphs should lift moderate weights regularly and incorporate some cardio into their workout. They typically don’t need to worry about bulking up, but should still keep an eye on their diet to avoid fat gain.

Endomorph

Endomorphs are the gain masters. Their body builds muscle very well, but they also gain fat easier than the other two body types. Endomorphs tend to feel like they could gain weight by just walking into a bakery! This body type generally has a more blocky build, as well as wider hips and shorter limbs. For endomorphs aiming to lose weight, the majority of the work will be in the kitchen. For training, this body type will benefit from an elevated heart rate; focus on lighter weights but more reps, with little rest in between each set. Regular cardio can also help keep the fat off and tone your muscles.

Ectomorph

Ectomorphs are those people who seem to eat everything but not gain any weight. While this could be perceived as a coveted trait, not being able to gain weight doesn’t mean just fat. It can be difficult for ectomorphs to build muscle too as their metabolism burns through everything. Ectomorphs tend to be long-limbed and have narrow hips.

For training, this body type should focus on eating lots of healthy carbs and proteins. Don’t overdo it on junk food however. Just because you don’t look unhealthy doesn’t mean you aren’t! Lifting moderate weights and doing little cardio is the best way for ectomorphs to gain muscle.

The combo

Not everyone fits into these categories, they are a generalisation. If you’re one of the many individuals who’s more of a combination of the main three body types, think about your body and how it gains weight. Some people develop muscle very easily and can remain lean with moderate training, but can also gain fat if they don’t eat well. This might be classed as a meso-endo combination, but lots of combos exist, so don’t be put off if you don’t recognize your body in these three categories.

Do you feel like you can build muscle but it’s covered in a layer of fat? Do you find it harder to gain weight? There are many resources to be found online that you can use to investigate what kind of dieting and training techniques to incorporate into your program. Understanding your body will help you work better with it to achieve your goals as quickly as possible. Think about it and see what kind of training your body needs.

Maddy has worked in the health and fitness industry for 5 years. She has a bachelors in Exercise Science and has recently received her Masters in Exercise Physiology. She has worked with a wide demographic of clients as a Personal Trainer and loves helping people reach their goals and continue to grow.  She is an outdoor enthusiast and dedicates her workouts to rock climbing, hiking and whatever new experiences may come her way.

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