Your body type is predominantly genetic, but that doesn’t mean you are doomed to your genetics. You probably won’t ever get that hourglass figure if you have a more straight and narrow physique, but there are ways you can train in order to make the most out of your body type and have the body you’ve always wanted.
Maybe you have heard about the three different body types, but did you know that it is also important to train according to your body type? I know for a fact that if you train according to your body type, you will begin seeing real results.
With so much information out there, it can be quite confusing to find the right training style to best meet your needs. This is a great jumping-off point to help lead you in the right direction. And remember, long-lasting results, regardless of your body type, take time and consistency
The three body types are Ectomorph, Mesomorph, and Endomorph. You can get a good idea of what those body types look like and where they are prone to store more fat (or muscle) just by searching the internet.
Are you able to identify which body type you are? Not everybody is going to fit exactly into one or the other, of course, but you might notice that there is one that is more predominant. Let’s break it down a bit further and talk about each body type in more detail as well as how you should approach your strength and cardio training in order to maximize results.
The Ectomorph
The Ectomorph is naturally very thin, has narrow hips and shoulders, very low body fat and very thin arms and legs. The Ectomorph might say things like, “No matter how much I eat, I cannot seem to gain weight.” Quite contrary to popular belief, not everyone is looking to lose weight. If this is your current domain, train with heavyweights and lots of rest in between sets and only train 1-2 body parts per training day to avoid too much caloric expenditure.
The Mesomorph
The Mesomorph is kind of in between the Ectomorph and the Endomorph. They are able to put on muscle easily and genetically are the ideal body type for bodybuilding. They have very strong legs, broad shoulders, and a narrower waist. Generally, they also have very low body fat as well. If you are mesomorphic, The more varied the training, the better the results. Basic exercises include squats, lunges, deadlifts, rows, chest press, shoulder press, with heavyweights, followed by isolation exercises with moderate or lightweights.
The Endomorph
The Endomorph is more round and pear-shaped. They tend to store more body fat throughout the entire body, especially in the legs and arms. It’s much harder for the Endomorph to put on muscle and much easier to gain weight. However, as mentioned before, you can’t sit on the couch and blame your genetics! You can be thankful for the body you have and work towards becoming more fit and healthy — it just might take a bit more time and effort than for the Mesomorph. Recommended exercises include total-body workouts with compound movements to burn the most calories. This can be a mix of bodyweight training as well as moderate weight lifting.
The Hybrid of Two Body Types
We sometimes group people into general categories, but the good news is that being a combination body type means you have the strengths of two different body types to work with — for instance, you may naturally have both the endurance of an ectomorph and the muscle strength of a mesomorph, which can lead to big training gains.
The most common natural hybrids are ecto-mesomorphs, who have long, lean limbs and broader chests and shoulders, and endo-mesomorphs, who have thick but compact physiques that are muscular, not soft. Endo-ectomorphs, on the other hand, tend to have thin legs but substantial fat storage in the midsection — which is usually because they’ve spent years consuming a poor-quality diet and being sedentary. This body type is usually a result of behavior, not genetics.
All body types benefit from strength training. For lean ectomorphs, strength training helps build muscle definition and prevent injury. For curvier endomorphs, strength training can help boost fat burning. For more information on how to train for your specific body type, check here. I am making a large impact by helping celebrities and average joes achieve their dream body using practical and simple strategies.
