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What’s My Body Type? Endomorph, Mesomorph, or Ectomorph

BodyFitnessWellbeingArticle

When we look at our bodies, we may be able to see that we are underweight, overweight, or just right. However, there may be a part of you wondering what your body type is. The three main types are known as endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph.

 

We are all made up of bits of each type. However, one will probably seem more applicable for us than the others. Let’s look further into what our body type is to see what it means for us.

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If you understand your body type, it will be easier to maintain or improve health and fitness by customizing your diet and exercise to suit what your body needs.

Endomorph Body Type

Endomorphs may find it hard to lose weight due to slow metabolisms. They gain fat easily and have a thicker bone structure. This makes them put on weight quickly, mostly around the belly area, which can be dangerous if left on for too long.

 

The good news is every body type is beautiful. No matter how you look you can always feel pride in yourself and dress nice to feel good. Watch this video where reality TV show winner, Ashley Nell Tipton previews how she styles plus sized models. 

 

 

This body type tends to have a round physique with wide hips and shoulders, which generally gives them an athletic look. However, their muscles tend to be smaller than those of the other types. This means that they may still feel sluggish when attempting more intense activities such as running.

Mesomorph Body Type

The mesomorph is the body type that gains muscle easily and loses fat just as quickly. Generally, they have a muscular physique with narrow hips and shoulders that are more in line with an ectomorph than an endomorph. It means that they may feel more energetic and agile than the other types, making them better at exercising because of this.

 

They can gain fat quickly if they do not watch their diet. They also have a higher metabolism which means that they can eat more before feeling full as opposed to an endomorph. 

body type amphy

Ectomorph Body Type

The last body type is the ectomorph, which means the muscles are naturally thinner than that of mesomorphs and endomorphs. They also have a hard time gaining weight and putting on muscle, making them extremely skinny and sometimes weaker. Fashion models often have this body type.

 

It may be harder to exercise or even do the basic things in life without muscle fatigue. Shoulders may often be thin and hips narrow, which can be difficult for ectomorphs to break out of.

 

They are smaller all around, which can make them look less masculine or feminine than mesomorphs and endomorphs. It may be harder to gain weight due to their small stomachs, but they will generally have an easier time keeping on weight if they do gain some.

How to Know What Your Body Type Is

Several tests can tell you what your body type is. One way is if you tend to gain weight, especially in the stomach area, this makes you an endomorph. Another test would be seeing which area of your body you gain weight in the fastest, most likely your stomach area.

 

A final test would be to look at yourself in the mirror and decide if you look more like a jock or a dainty person. If you see your shoulders as looking more masculine than feminine, you might be a mesomorph. If you have smaller hips and shoulders, you may be an ectomorph.

Can a Body Change?

Endomorphs, mesomorphs, and ectomorphs may all come off as different people because of their body types. Even though this is true, they can generally change into one another’s body type through exercise and diet changes.

 

You can change the way you look, build muscle, or lose fat to come as close to your ideal shape as possible. However, genetics usually determine your body type. For example, if you are an endomorph and want to be a mesomorph, you can lose weight with hard work. But this means that you may put it back on just as fast if you do not diet and exercise properly afterward.

 

Drastic body changes can be dangerous and difficult to maintain. There are ways to help each type become more like the one they wish to be. If you want to change from a mesomorph to an endomorph, lifting weights will help put on more muscle. But you must watch what you eat so that your muscle gains don’t convert into fat.

 

If you wish to become an ectomorph, you will need to do a lot of cardiovascular exercises and eat lower-carb diets. You may find that this is a hard adjustment due to the extreme diet change you will have to make. However, with the right time and a proper diet plan, you could transform your body in ways that go beyond your imagination.

 

For some people, their body type is stable even with age or weight loss. Others find that they can change into the body type that they want or don’t want. After all, it is no secret that pregnancy can change many women’s bodies forever.

 

If you feel like your body type is making it hard for you to live a normal life, try some activities below.

woman looking at her abs in a mirror


Best Activities by Body Type

Endomorphs can do activities that help increase muscle mass, so the body no longer looks as round and is more toned. Weight-bearing exercises such as squats, lunges, and presses are good for this. Running, jogging, and walking are good activities to help burn excess fat. 

 

For ectomorphs, activities that help build more muscle mass are good for increasing strength. These include deadlifts, bench presses, and shoulder presses. Eating diets high in protein is also great for building muscle.

 

Mesomorphs should focus on activities that maintain the body’s current fitness level while pushing it to work harder. Workouts with high-intensity interval training, plyometric exercises, and weight lifting.

man at gym


Final Thoughts About Body Types

Now you should have a better understanding of what your body type is. All three body types come with their benefits and downsides, so think about what each one means. If you understand your body type, it will be easier to maintain or improve health and fitness by customizing your diet and exercise to suit what your body needs.

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