Bodytype: Ectomorph, Endomorph, or Mesomorph?
Written on October 16, 2007 – 12:14 pm | by Russ Turley
After last week’s discussion on basal metabolic rate and Jeff’s nice recap and clarification this week, it got me thinking. If I’m going to try to transform my body, I should find out what will work best with my body type. What type of diet and exercise is going to maximize my weight loss? I found there are three basic body types, and these are the same for men and women.
- Ectomorph - thin, linear appearance
- Endomorph - big bones, round face, large trunk and thighs
- Mesomorph - broad shoulders, narrow waist, naturally large muscles and fast metabolism
I definitely fall into the endomorph category, in fact large thighs might be my defining characteristic. Depending on where you fall in these three body types you may want to adjust the type of exercise and food choices you make. Most articles I read on the subject had similar recommendations.
The endomorph must increase his metabolism through weightlifting and must eat lots of fruit and vegetables in order to lose weight. This I would consider bad news for me, being an endomorph. I mean who doesn’t like fruits and vegetables, but weight lifting? If you are an ectomorph, the naturally slim, do nothing or if you would like to gain muscle eat more calories and focus on weightlifting. There’s that dirty word again. Lastly the mesomorphs, the naturally muscular jock types, should train strongly with weights, and not worry so much about what they eat. Again with weight lifting (I’m sensing a trend here.)
These are very broad generalizations about how work with your body type instead of against it. Do more research at the links below and post your body type in the comments as well as how you’re going to lose weight and transform your body.
Bodytype: Ectomorph, Endomorph, or Mesomorph?
Pictures of body types
Body type test
Dr. William H. Sheldon
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- Fat 2 Fit #97 – Orthorexia
Tags: body types, diet, ectomorph, endomorph, mesomorph, weight lifting, Weight loss
6 Responses to “Bodytype: Ectomorph, Endomorph, or Mesomorph?”
By April on Feb 9, 2008 | Reply
I feel that when I was in my late teens and early twenties I felt that my body type was a mesomorph but in my late twenties and two kids later I think I am a endomorph. Some of my family members are very thin and other are heavy. I am not big on pills I have worked out and diet that does work but right now there is no time. i have tried WW it is good but any diet which consist of healthy foods are more exspenive than fatty foods. It is an everyday struggle.
By Russ Turley on Feb 9, 2008 | Reply
April » I hear you April. With 4 boys, growing fast, already I can see what they’re going to eat like when they’re teenagers. My wallet is dreading that time. Buying good food for them will be very expensive, but definitely worth it. Check out the post I did on eating healthy on a budget (http://www.fat2fitradio.com/archives/35) or search for that on Google.
Russ
By Robert (Endomorph body type) on Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Another interesting thing about endomorphs is that once the muscle is built, it’s hard to lose it, even with prolongued absence of training. Also, endomorphs have better cardio because of increased lungue capacity.