Ectomorph, Endomorph, Mesomorph (Which are you?)

[Snoochies]

Just wondering if anyone has looked into these bodyshapes much. I think when people try and get the optimal body shape they fail to realise it just may not happen based on their unique body shape.

Personally I'm a mix of Meso and Endo, I put on muscle very easy but also store fat easy but don't have the extreme pear shape look that an Endo has.

In league terms I would say majority of Props and second rowers are Endos and the backs would be Mesos with the occasional Ecto.


Below is an article to give a description of each. Which one or combination are you?


Your Body Type - Ectomorph, Mesomorph or Endomorph?

An ectomorph is a typical skinny guy. Ecto’s have a light build with small joints and lean muscle. Usually ectomorph’s have long thin limbs with stringy muscles. Shoulders tend to be thin with little width.
Typical traits of an ectomorph:

• Small “delicate” frame and bone structure
• Classic “hardgainer”
• Flat chest
• Small shoulders
• Thin
• Lean muscle mass
• Finds it hard to gain weight
• Fast metabolism

Ectomorphs find it very hard to gain weight. They have a fast metabolism which burns up calories very quickly. Ecto’s need a huge amount of calories in order to gain weight. Workouts should be short and intense focusing on big muscle groups. Supplements are definitely recommended. Ectomorphs should eat before bed to prevent muscle catabolism during the night. Generally, ectomorphs can lose fat very easily which makes cutting back to lean muscle easy for them.
MESOMORPH

A mesomorph has a large bone structure, large muscles and a naturally athletic physique. Mesomorphs are the best body type for bodybuilding. They find it quite easy to gain and lose weight. They are naturally strong which is the perfect platform for building muscle.
Typical traits on a Mesomorph:

• Athletic
• Hard body with well defined muscles
• Rectangular shaped body
• Strong
• Gains muscle easily
• Gains fat more easily than ectomorphs

The mesomorph body type responds the best to weight training. Gains are usually seen very quickly, especially for beginners. The downside to mesomorphs is they gain fat more easily than ectomorphs. This means they must watch their calorie intake. Usually a combination of weight training and cardio works best for mesomorphs.
ENDOMORPH

The endomorph body type is solid and generally soft. Endomorphs gain fat very easily. Endo’s are usually of a shorter build with thick arms and legs. Muscles are strong, especially the upper legs. Endomorphs find they are naturally strong in leg exercises like the squat.
Typical traits of an Endomorph:

• Soft and round body
• Gains muscle and fat very easily
• Is generally short and “stocky”
• Round physique
• Finds it hard to lose fat
• Slow metabolism

When it comes to training endomorphs find it very easy to gain weight. Unfortunately, a large portion of this weight is fat not muscle. To keep fat gain to a minimum, endomorphs must always train cardio as well as weights. Usually supplements may not be needed as long as the person has a high protein intake in their diet.
A combination of body types.

These body types aren’t set in stone. In fact, most guys have a combination of two body types. These combinations are either ectomorph/mesomorph or mesomorph/endomorph. It is not uncommon to find a pure mesomorph that gains weight like an endomorph for example.

 

[God-King Dean]

Ecto REPRAZENT!!!!

 

[cupid]

I don't agree with these labels. I was able go from a Ectomorph to a Endomorph.

 

[Martli]

I don't agree with these labels. I was able go from a Ectomorph to a Endomorph.

They're three general brackets, most people are a combination.

 

[Dirty Hoe]

I don't agree with these labels. I was able go from a Ectomorph to a Endomorph.

if you sit on the computer all day and stuff your face with junk...its a given you are going to be on the other end of the scale

 

[cupid]

if you sit on the computer all day and stuff your face with junk...its a given you are going to be on the other end of the scale

I said Ectomorph to Endomorph not Ectomorph to Mesomorph. Weight training only takes a hour a day, plus eating is the main part of developing muscle.

 

[roopy]

When I was doing classes in psychiatry (to become a psychiatric nurse) 30 years ago they still taught that ectomorph was the build most common to schizophrenics and endomorph was the build most common in depression.
Pretty sure they don't teach that anymore.

 

[macavity]

Im mostly Endomorph, but I'm 6'2 with broad shoulders (broad, child bearing hips, too...).

I find it near impossible to move fat - has taken me 18 months of full-on training to move 12kg (have increased strength very significantly though).

I have actually found heavy weight training (with a seperate light cardio session) is of most benefit - I am not losing much on the scales, but my body shape is evening out.... slowly.

 

[Martli]

I said Ectomorph to Endomorph not Ectomorph to Mesomorph. Weight training only takes a hour a day, plus eating is the main part of developing muscle.

Endomorph is the fat one, Meso is the muscular one.

 

[adamkungl]

In between a and b

 

[GuardDog]

in between meso and endomorph

 

[Misanthrope]

Although I have some excess weight that I'm working on losing, I'd say from those descriptions I'd fall into the mesomorph category. When I eat well and exercise I lose weight easily, and it's just as easy for me to put it on. Naturally broad shouldered and, despite not doing a lot of weights work, pretty well muscled beneath the excess.

I'd say I have a mix of that and endomorph, but leaning towards meso based on the descriptors above.

 

[Chook Norris]

ecto-meso.. my body isn't totally ripped, but i'd say it's in pretty fine condition. Quick metabolism, hardly gain any weight. I've been told i have wide shoulders.

 

[Thomas]

I was an ectomorph. I'm 5'9 and had broad shoulders but just couldn't put on muscle, even when playing footy. My metabolism was off the charts.

Then I got older. Did my knee in and got an office job. Now I think I am an endomorph.

 

[Lockyer4President!]

Genetically superior mesomorph reporting in.

 

[Dirty Hoe]

I said Ectomorph to Endomorph not Ectomorph to Mesomorph. Weight training only takes a hour a day, plus eating is the main part of developing muscle.

kids...learn my friend, it will come with age and experience

 

[Jocko]

Half way between an endomorph and a Mesomorph myself

 

[sportive cupid]

I can't work out which one I am.
None of them have boobs.

 

[_snafu_]

I'm an ecto-meso.

I found it reasonably difficult to put on weight when I was playing football - 6ft and about 87kgs. I went to the gym 4 days a week and used a split training system and managed to get down to 8% body fat.

17 years later, my metabolism has slowed and I hardly do any exercise. Now I weigh 94kgs and about 20% body fat. Although I find that if I eat properly I can lose weight pretty quickly.