Male physiques are commonly grouped into three categories: mesomorph, ectomorph, and endomorph. These classifications rely on characteristics such as limb proportions, body mass, height, and how fat is distributed across the body.
Men’s bodies show a wide range of shapes and sizes, yet they’re often simplified into these three groups:
| Body type | Features |
|---|---|
| Ectomorphic | slim shoulders and hips, with little muscle and low body fat |
| Mesomorphic | wide shoulders, narrower hips, and an easier time building muscle |
| Endomorphic | “pear-shaped” silhouette with a greater tendency to store fat |
No one exists purely as one of these three types; we all display traits from multiple categories. You may primarily resemble one type or have a mix of features from two or all three.
Take this quiz to discover your body type.
History of somatotypes
The labels ecto-, meso-, and endomorphic are also known as somatotypes. Psychologist William Herbert Sheldon introduced these terms in 1940 as part of an attempt to link body shape with tendencies like criminal behavior.
In later work he proposed measuring the degree of each somatotype on a 1-to-7 scale. For instance, a nearly pure ectomorph might be rated 7-1-1, while someone of average build could be scored 4-4-4.
Sheldon’s ideas are now dismissed by mainstream science and labeled pseudoscience, but the somatotype framework persists as a practical way to think about which sports might suit someone or how prone they are to gaining muscle or fat.
Today, practitioners often use the Heath-Carter method to classify somatotypes. That approach relies on 10 measurements:
- height
- weight
- skinfold thickness at: the back of the arm, shoulder, calf, waist
- breadth of the: upper arm bone, upper leg bone
- flexed arm girth
- tensed calf girth
Ectomorph body type
Ectomorphs are typically lanky and slim, with narrow trunks and thin arms and legs. People of this type usually carry little fat and often struggle to add significant muscle mass.
Sports where ectomorphic physiques may excel include:
- long-distance running and race walking
- endurance-focused events
- basketball
- volleyball
Endomorph body type
Endomorphs are generally stockier and tend to store fat more readily. While not every person with this build is overweight, this somatotype has a higher association with obesity in studies.
Endomorphic figures usually have wider waists and hips relative to their shoulders.
Sports where endomorph characteristics can be advantageous include:
- track and field throwing events
- Olympic-style weightlifting
- sports like football or rugby
Mesomorph body type
Mesomorphs often show broader chests and shoulders with a comparatively tight waist. These builds tend to gain muscle more readily than the other types.
People with mesomorphic traits may perform well in:
- track and field sprints and jumps
- any sport requiring short bursts of speed or explosive power
- strength-based competitions
- boxing
- gymnastics
What determines body shape
Your age and genetic makeup strongly influence your body form. They affect factors such as:
- limb length and proportions
- bone frame
- tendency to store body fat
- capacity to build muscle
- how muscle and fat are distributed
Your lifestyle choices also shape your physique, including:
- dietary habits
- how often you exercise
- what kinds of exercise you do
- whether your job involves physical labor
- how much time you spend sitting
Should your body shape influence your diet and training?
The core principles of healthy eating and exercise are similar regardless of somatotype. Still, recognizing your body type can clarify whether you’re likely to find it easier or harder to gain muscle or fat, and it may guide some training or nutrition choices.
Ectomorph diet and exercise
Because ectomorphs often resist gaining both fat and muscle, they may benefit from prioritizing resistance training to build mass.
People in this group typically don’t need to worry as much about unwanted weight gain compared with other somatotypes.
Endomorph diet and exercise
Endomorphic individuals usually gain fat more readily than others. They may want to emphasize cardiovascular activity to burn calories and be cautious with high-calorie foods such as:
- highly processed items
- sugary beverages and sweets
- fried foods
- refined grains like white rice or white flour products
Mesomorph diet and exercise
Mesomorphs typically increase muscle more easily than people of other types. Consuming adequate protein is important to support muscle growth.
Although mesomorphs may not gain fat as readily as endomorphs, they often still need to monitor their diet more closely than ectomorphs.
Learn more about how much protein you need to build muscle, and check related resources such as types of butts for additional body-shape context.
What does body typing achieve?
Identifying your somatotype is one more tool for reaching fitness objectives. Keep in mind that few people fit perfectly into a single category and many elements influence how easy it is to gain muscle or fat.
One practical use of somatotyping is predicting which sports someone might naturally suit. Various athletic organizations utilize the Heath-Carter somatotype to evaluate physical potential.
Takeaway
Understanding your body type can clarify whether you’re more likely to gain muscle or fat and suggest which sports you might excel in.
Nevertheless, no one is perfectly confined to one of these three groups, and you shouldn’t let a label restrict your choice of activities or goals.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.