The Beginner’s Guide to Body Types: Ectomorph, Mesomorph, and Endomorph

Nerd Fitness ^ | November 15, 2017 | Steve Kamb

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

We are all unique.

Yes, even you. Your mom was right!

And you’re here because questions about your body type and genetics:

What body type am I?

How does it affect my training and diet?

I have bad genetics, how screwed am I?

I am a [body type]. Does that mean I shouldn’t do [activity]?

We all have different bodies, genetics,reactions from certain foods, strengths, and weaknesses, and thus we each have different activities and behaviors that we’re predisposed to be good at (or struggle with!).

The standard way of thinking tells us that we have three main “body types”:

• Endomorph
• Ectomorph
• Mesomorph

(Don’t worry we’ll get into each of those below too.)

HOWEVER, when it comes to your genetic benefits and shortfalls, there is way more to it than just which category your body fits in.

As you’ll soon learn, just because you’re predisposed to be good at one thing or terrible at another doesn’t mean you should be pigeonholed or limited with what you can do.

With a bit of help from our favorite Role Playing Games, we’re going to dig into body types, character classes, and ways to buck the genetic lottery.

Whether or not you know your body type, or you have never heard those terms above before, I got you covered!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Read the whole thing; it's good.

[poinq]

This is why BMI is stupid. Body mass is not a factor of good or bad health. The factor is excess or too little fat. And there is no optimal weight.

But I disagree with the concept that everything is a calculation of calories minus energy use. Its not. Certain food is easily converted to energy and other food is not, even if it has the same amount of calories. Refined carbs (flour, sugar, corn syrup or starch) turn quickly into blood sugar and that forces you to store fat. Some people are quick to store lots of fat. Others aren’t. Lots of factors here.

The one truism here is that we are different. And we can all eat the same, exercise the same and we won’t ever be the same.

[BenLurkin]

What about fat guys with hairy backs and balding heads. What are they called?

I’m asking for a, uh, a friend.

[jacquej]

I would love to meet your friend!

Might he be attracted to “fluffy” silver haired grannies, by chance?

(just kidding wit ya!)

[jobim]

Interesting topic that I haven't seen since reading Dr. George Sheehan's book on running.
He referred to a book by Herbert Sheldon called "Atlas of Men" written in 1954, that
draws its research from prisons, photographing and analyzing and classifying body types.
I've never heard anyone else ever mention this subject until you posted this.

[BurrOh]

Hey Thanks, TSR! That is a fun read as well as being informative. I may be inspired to start my resolutions early. :-)

[HLPhat]

>>The factor is excess or too little fat.

https://www.google.com/search?q=morbid+obesity

Which, IIRC, was what BMI was supposed to correlate to 30 years ago... before electric gadgets to measure body fat became widely available.

[null and void]

Mmmmmaybe...

[garandgal]

It is good...thanks for posting. I’m one of those (like the author) who tend to be skinny...and I have a hard time building muscle.

Started CrossFit at 51; 18 months and a lot of protein later...I’ve gained 10 pounds. LOVE lifting!

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

#3. What about fat guys with hairy backs and balding heads. What are the called?

EASY. Hollywood moguls!

[sparklite2]

We went through this in Psych 102. It’s unnerving how closely the predicted qualities line up with the person.

I am an ectomorph who, as I recall, does ectomorphic things down to the smallest.

I haven’t read the article. Don’t need to. I live it. LOL

[miniTAX]

“But I disagree with the concept that everything is a calculation of calories minus energy use.”

---

Indeed, calculations could be credible had they not always excluded the most obvious: what we cr.p.
That’s why all the junk science around nutrition, and healthy food guidelines and gouvernemental recommendations... are worse than worthless (except for the bureaucrat leeches living on it).

[CapnJack]

The standard way of thinking tells us that we have three main “body types”: Endomorph Ectomorph Mesomorph

What about Xenomorph?

[LiveFreeOrDie2001]

I’m here for the “Not Guilty” pictures.....

[dartuser]

It’s a bug hunt ...

[metmom]

Carbs are my worst enemy when it comes to weight.

When I cut carbs, specifically wheat, the weight just falls off.

I can eat really well balanced meals, whole wheat, little sugar, but if I include wheat products, the weight just piles on.

[poinq]

I don’t eat sugar, corn products, like corn syrup or corn starch (but I do eat corn on the cob) and I don’t eat flour of any kind. I lost about 25 lbs five years ago and it stays off.

Also my cholesterol, blood sugar and triglycerides are all much lower. The reality is that I eat anything that is unchanged from how it came out of the ground like a baked potato or corn on the cob. And I eat everything green. And of course I eat cheese and meat with the same rules. That means I rarely touch anything that could be called sauce accept mustard. And if it comes from a box I am not likely to eat it.

[taterjay]

Is it ok to identify as a different body type?

[minnesota_bound]

My body type is perfect. Drives women wild.
That and my cologne.. Hai Karate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfAEb0uQm8

[central_va]

Don’t eat white colored food. Ever.