In this article, we will tell you all there is to know about the 3 main body types.
Sports and nutrition make it clear that we all have different body types and we are never the same. Our physical constitution can affect many aspects of our lives, such as the type of training and diet we should have in order to shape our physique and lead healthier lives.
In order to do this properly, the first thing is to establish your body type. If that’s what you want, you’re in the right place. In this article, we will tell you all there is to know about the 3 main body types, and we will tell you the best tips and habits according to each one of them. Let’s get started!
The three main body types
Interestingly enough, the theory of the 3 body types is not actually an anatomical or biological theory – it’s psychological. Dr. William Sheldon developed this theory in 1942 believing there was a strong correlation between physical constitution and psychology. Let’s now look into the 3 main body types.
The ectomorph body
An ectomorph body is recognizable due to its thin constitution. Its shoulders and chest are narrow, which makes arms, fingers and legs seem long in comparison.
What’s the best diet for an ectomorph body
Ectomorph bodies are often due to an increased metabolic rate, which leads to them stay slim even despite eating more than average. Indeed, ectomorph people on the slimmer side of the spectrum have always been slim and never in their life have they had excess fat. The reason behind this is often an active thyroid, which in turn makes them nervous and high in energy and activity.
All of these conditions result in the ectomorph person having very low fat percentages and not gaining much weight despite a lot of eating. In this case, nutrition is key and there’s a way to beat the hyperthyroidism and intense energy: taking in a lot of protein and carbohydrates. If you want to increase your body mass, rely on protein shakes and hit the gym hard.
Ectomorph body training
This is usually not a problem for ectomorph people, as they are usually very active. Ectomorph people have a natural tendency to do a wide variety of cardio exercises, such as running or swimming. If the goal is to build muscle and gain some body mass, however, a different approach will need to be adopted. We are not going to lie, this will not come easy, as ectomorph types are considered hard gainers. This means that they will require a longer time. The help of a professional trainer will be greatly appreciated.
The mesomorph body
“Meso” means “middle” in Ancient Greek, in this case it refers to a versatile body type that can both win and lose weight with relative ease. Mesomorph people usually have athletic bodies, the upper part of the body is relatively larger, which means that the torso is built in a V-shape in men, and an hourglass figure in women.
What’s the best diet for an mesomorph body
Mesomorph people should have a balanced diet if they want to keep an athletic body, as they can easily become slim or get very muscular through gym training. Fat is usually only seen on the stomach and hips, but it is also easily eliminated with cardio exercises. In terms of diet, this translates into a low fat and carbohydrate diet, focused mostly on protein, vegetables and fruits.
Mesomorph body training
Mesomorph people can build muscle very fast, and depending on desired results can end up looking very strong and buffed. However, this also means that one-sided training (such as excessive arm training while neglecting other parts), can quickly result in a visible disproportion. It is therefore preferable to do a varied set of exercises and make sure all muscles are evenly trained, including smaller muscles such as the triceps.
The endomorph body
The endomorph body has a tendency to acquire mass easily and a difficulty to lose it. They are located at the opposite side of the spectrum from the ectomorphs. Their body shape is usually rounder and arms and legs seem shorter in comparison, but don’t worry, there’s effective ways to lose fat as an endomorph.
What’s the best diet for an endomorph body
Endomorph bodies store fat very quickly, which explains why people with this body type are known as easy gainers. You guessed it. When it comes to nutrition, fats and carbohydrates should be avoided to rely heavily on proteins. It is also crucial to adjust food quantities to the amount of training. Less training should be translated into less eating, and less calories. Avoiding fat is not so important, as, for instance, olive oil or other natural, vegetable fats. You should just make sure to equate your eating to your sports routine, which we will now get into.
Endomorph body training
Endomorph bodies have it very easy to gain mass, but this is not necessarily just fat. If you adjust your diet and exercise accordingly, you can use this to your advantage and build muscle quickly and very effectively. This should be done in a balanced and targeted manner. The important thing for this body type is to increase reps and reduce weights. And cardio should definitely be a part of your routine.
How to know what is my body type
All we have explained before seems very easy and straightforward, but reality rarely is so. The truth is that in most cases the different body types are not very clearly cut and it is natural not to be sure what your body type is. In fact, researchers such as Healt and Carter reached the conclusion that there is no such thing as a pure body type (or are extremely rare). Most often than not, people are somewhere in between two categories.
To know precisely where you stand, you might want to check your bone width, as scientific research suggests that bone constitution greatly influences your overall morphology. This test, however, cannot be done by yourself, and you will have to consult a doctor.
What if diet and sports routines fail
The truth is that, due to a series of factors including genetics, metabolism, time and money, not everyone can acquire the body they want. In cases such as these, plastic surgery can represent an alternative. Liposculptures are often carried out in foreign countries with good medical standards at affordable prices, which explains many people getting operated in Istanbul after knowing how much does a BBL cost in Turkey. But let’s get to the final, most important part of this whole article.
Your body is your temple
Let us conclude by talking about framing, because mentality can do you a lot of good when it comes to building a better and healthier life. Doing sports and eating healthy are habits that should be pursued for your own personal good, and not to please others. Their main benefit is making you feel great and having higher energy, looking better is just a side effect. Your body is your temple and it will accompany you until the end, so make sure you take good care of it!
