Classifying Body Types

Whether its crazy diets, celebrity testimonies, or extensive hours and money spent at the gym, weight loss is a popular topic in society. There are always countless commercials for weight loss pills, miracle machines, diet systems, exercise programs, and success stories. So why is it so difficult for people to attain a healthy state of fitness? Well, the problem is that the majority of people do not know their body type. There are three basic body types: ecto, endo, and meso. They outline the characteristics of the build of the bodies, how they act to weight maintenance endeavores, and can help you figure out which strategies to apply to reach your fitness goals.

The first body type is an ectomorph. Ectomorphs can be characterized as naturally skinny, so they have trouble gaining weight and with muscular growth. They have a delicate build, flat chest, young appearance, usually tall, and can be fragile. As for weight loss and strengthening, they should concentrate on gaining weight in the form of lean muscle tissue. Weight training should be done, but not too often or for too long. However, hand weights and free-weights should be somewhat heavy and the rests between each set should be longer. Since they are thin, their diet should be high in healthy calories and protein. Eating more than their used to and more often is recommended since they have the tendency to burn it off fairly quickly. Aerobic activities, such as sports, dancing, etc. should be kept to a minimum.

On the opposite side are the endomorphs. They are the more big-boned people, with a larger structure and the tendency to gain weight quickly. They are usually soft-bodied, flabby, with under-developed muscles, and a round shape. However, their bodies allow them to gain muscle easier than the ectopmorph. Concerning weight loss, losing fat and adopting a healthier lifestyle that helps keeps it off, is the most important. Strength training will be the best direction to go as it will get a better muscle to fat ratio, and therefore improve metabolism. Weight lifting should consist of light to moderate weights at a fast training pace. Using circuit training, in which there are very little rests between sets and exercises, will allow for the most fat burning. For the diet, calorie intake should be lowered, but not starving oneself. Eating less, but more frequently will help feed that feeling of hunger and keep you feeling fuller longer. Sugars, sweets, and junk foods should be eliminated as well. Opt for a fruit or small servings of a sweet to keep your cravings in check. Engaging daily in some activity like brisk walking or biking, any little things that will give your body movement and get your heart rate pumping are going to have the biggest effects.

Lastly is the athletic body, or the one in between the ecto and endomorphs: the Mesomorphs. This is usually the most coveted body type and the one that most people will work towards. Nevertheless, there is a significant