Which body type are you?
Humans have three distinct body types, they are ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph. Before starting any exercise or diet regime, you should try to figure out what type you are, as different training methods will be required to reach your goals.
The definitions below are the extremes of each type, each has their advantages and disadvantages evolutionary speaking which is why we are usually composed of a mixture of the three.
Ectomorph – skinny
I have to admit, a big chunk of my composition is the classic ectomorph. My problem isn’t gaining weight, it’s keeping it on… if I do not workout, no matter what I eat or do, I begin to loose weight.
Ectomorphs are characterized with having a very delicate, fragile and lean build. They usually have small shoulders, are lightly muscled and it takes them a long period of time to gain muscle, which is easily lost. You can spot an ectomorph from a mile away with their slender and long twiggy body.
People who best represent the ectomorphs body are top model Kate Moss and actor Brad Pitt.
Mesomorph – muscled
Mesomorphs are characterized with a hard, athletic body with a muscular physique that responds very well to exercise. They gain fat and muscle far easier then ectomorphs due to their strong build.
Mesomorphs have broad shoulders and a narrow waist, giving them a triangular appearance for men and hourglass for woman. Their face is usually very angular with prominent features, unlike ectomorphs, mesomorphs also have well developed muscles even down to their fingers.
People who best represent the mesomorphs body are actor/bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger and actress Demi Moore.
Endomorphs – curvy
Endomorphs have bodies that are great fat storage machines. For them, loosing weight is difficult and sometimes say “I can gain weight just looking at food”. They have a soft, round body and need to watch what they eat.
While ectomorphs are long and slanky, endomorphs have short and stubby features. Their build tends to concentrate from the abdomen and up, their legs and general features are not very well defined.
Actor John Goodman and celebrity talk show host Oprah Winfrey are great examples of endomorphs in the media.
Changing your body type
Although there are extremes of each body type, most people are a combination of several builds, as a result, you can only “modify” your body type but it is heavily influenced by your diet, ethnic background and exercise routine. For example, people from Asian descent tend to have stronger ectomorphic characteristics while population from an African descent tend to be more endomorphic.
As for myself, I grew up very lean but with YEARS of exercise and eating a proper diet, I have been able to modify my body type from one being very ectomorphic to slightly mesomorphic. Will I ever be a true mesomorphic, not unless I start tweeking around with my endocrine system (ei: taking growth hormones, steroids etc.). Naturally speaking, you are stuck with what you where given. As I mentioned earlier, once I stop working out, my body begins to slide back into its natural ectomorphic mold.
No matter your body type, you are fighting your body all the way, it doesn’t want change, it wants things to stay put. Thankfully you have a brain and can decide to take actions that override temporarily your genetic predispositions.
The Bottom Line
Be happy with what you got but always strive for what you want.
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As a recovering ectomorph…. I can tell you muscle gains are determined NOT by working HARDER in the gym, but by STUFFING yourself with food.
Stuffing is a great way to get that initial push but also a fantastic way to look like a butterball.
Jon
I am an over weight meso but when slim I am never hour glass, I am sort of an upside down triangle shape with broad shoulders and wide back and chest narrowing down like an upside down triangle, when slim my bottom is flat and my hips narrow. I wish I was an hour glass shape. currently I am trying to shift 3 stone as an over weight meso woman is not pretty,its sort of butch and bulky.