Body Types

[TrackManDave]

From what Ive read, human body types have been classified in 88 different forms, based on the ecto meso endo idea. Apparently to find which of these 88 types you are you fill out a survey or something ranking each question a scale of 1-7. Can this be found online somewhere? Like a medical site or something?

 

[Destram]

I'd like to see this as well.

 

[Mr.Guvernment]

Well, best i could find is 3 body types

is not much really

http://www.dolfzine.com/new_page_4.htm

i am looking for more stuff....

 

[Scotty the Body]

Body Type And Maximising Your Body Potential

There are 3 basic body types and generally people will mainly fall into one of them.
Endomorph
Tendency towards small bones, large chest or breasts, pear shape, large head, short neck. Will gain weight easily.

Mesomorph
Tendency towards heavy bones, triangular shape, broad chest and shoulders. Little excess body fat.

Ectomorph
Tendency towards long bones, long neck and limbs, short trunk, narrow chest and buttocks. Little excess body fat.

People falling into these body types will often lean towards certain types of exercise. Endomorphs lean towards low impact cardio-vascular activities like walking, swimming and cycling. Mesomorphs often seem to like weight training, martial arts and racquet sports. Ectomorphs lean towards aerobic, dance, ballet, cycling, running and weight training.

Your level of body fat to muscle is also likely to be at least partially determined by body type. Height and weight charts do not usually take body type into consideration, which is why they are fairly crude measurement. The only way to measure body fat is by using callipers (if you can pinch more than 2.5cm/1inch from the back of your arm you need to lose some body fat) or better still use a body fat monitor (we have the best on the market in our Diet Aids Shop)

You cannot change your body type, but you can make the best of it. Endomorphs may have a tendency to put on weight, but by following a calorie controlled diet and exercise regime, they can create a toned and curvaceous body (think Jennifer Lopez!!). If you are an endomorph, try doing exercise you might not normally do, like weight training and running. These will maximise your metabolism to keep fat levels low. Endomorphs often have low levels of muscles through inactivity, as they often avoid exercise. But by increasing your muscle levels, you can reduce your fat levels to that of a mesomorph, follow the ectomorph example of running long distances and obtain a lean body, with little fat (hopefully!).

 

[Scotty the Body]

ARE YOU TRAINING RIGHT FOR YOUR BODY TYPE?
Paul Becker is an author, a natural bodybuilder and fitness consultant amongst other things. In this discussion Paul preaches the theory of Somatypes which describes three basic human body types: the endomorph, the mesomorph, and the ectomorph and describes how most people are a mix of these types. He has laid out twelve simple multiple questions to determine what body type you fall into.

Endomorph, Mesomorph or Ectomorph witch body type are you?

1) My bone structure is:
__ (a) Very Large
__ (b) Large to Medium
__ (c) Small to Frail

2) My body tends towards:
__ (a) Carrying too much fat
__ (b) Being lean and muscular
__ (c)Being too skinny

3) My body looks:
Men answer here:
__ (a) Round and soft
__ (b) Square and rugged
__ (c) Long and tenuous

Women answer here:
__ (a) Pear-shaped
__ (b) Hourglass-shaped
__ (c) Mostly straight up and down

4) As a child I was:
__ (a) Chubby
__ (b) Normal
__ (c) Too thin


5) My activity level is:
__ (a) Sedentary
__ (b) Fairly Active
__ (c) Over active, can't sit still


6) My approach to life is:
__ (a) Laid back
__ (b) Dynamic
__ (c) Worrisome

7) My metabolism is:
__ (a) Slow
__ (b) Just right
__ (c) Too fast

8) People tell me:
__ (a) I should lose some weight
__ (b) Stay the same, that I look fine
__ (c) I should gain some weight

9) If you encircle your wrist with your other hand's middle finger and
thumb:
__ (a) Middle finger and thumb do not touch
__ (b) Middle finger and thumb just touch
__ (c) Middle finger and thumb overlap


10) Concerning my weight, I:
__ (a) Gain weight easily, but find it hard to lose
__ (b) Gain or lose weight fairly easily. Usually stay about the same weight
__ (c) Have trouble gaining weight

11) I am hungry:
__ (a) Almost all the time
__ (b) Just at meal times
__ (c) Rarely

12) People would describer me as an:
__ (a) Emotional person
__ (b) Physical person
__ (c) Intellectual person

RESULTS

Give yourself a 1 for each A answer, a 2 for each B answer and a 3 for each C answer. Add them up and divide by 12.

Look below at the number you now have. If you come up with a fraction, for example 1.5, then you are somewhere in between those two body types. And recommendations would be a middle approach.

1 - You tend towards being an Endomorph, you biggest concern should be the losing of fat and adopting a lifestyle that keeps it off.

Strength training should be done to get a better muscle to fat ratio and therefore improve metabolism. Use moderate weights at a fast training pace (very little rest between sets and exercises).

You should lower your calorie intake (but not try to starve yourself) and should eat frequent but small meals. Sugars, sweets and junk food should be eliminated from your diet.

Engage daily in some activity like brisk walking, biking, etc., and try to increase the amount of time you spend each week.

2 - You tend towards being a Mesomorph and have a naturally fit body but to maintain it or improve it you should exercise and diet correctly for your type.

Strength training can be done more often and for longer sessions then would be good for an Ectomorph, but you must still be carefull not to overdo it. You should train with moderate to heavy weighs and at a moderate pace, not resting too long between sets. You will find you gain muscle quite easy (some women and even men might not want to get too bulky, but this won't happen suddenly. When you are happy with your muscle size simply train to maintain it).

Stick to a good healthy diet to keep you lean and muscular, and watch for any slow creeping fat gains.

Engage in and enjoy aerobic activities, sports, etc. but do not overdo.

3 - You tend towards being an Ectomorph, you should concentrate on gaining weight in the form of good lean muscle tissue (some women that are too thin may also want to put on a little fat to look more feminine).

Weight training should be done but not too often or for too long each session.

Weight should be fairly heavy and workout pace slower (longer rest periods between sets).

Diet should be high in calories (good quality food not junk) and you should eat more then you're used to and often.

Aerobic and other activities (sports, dancing, etc.) should be kept to a minimum, at least until you are happy with your weight and looks.

HISTORY
In the 1940s, Dr. William H. Sheldon introduced the theory of Somatypes. His theory described three basic human body types: the endomorph, characterized by a preponderance of body fat; the mesomorph, marked by a well-developed musculature; and the ectomorph, distinguished by a lack of either much fat or muscle tissue. He did also state that most people were a mixture of these types.

Sheldon's description of three body types has become an integral part of most literature on weight loss, fitness and bodybuilding.

The three body types are further described below.

ECTOMORPH

fragile
thin
flat chest
delicate build
young appearance
tall
lightly muscled
stoop-shouldered
large brain
Has trouble gaining weight.
Muscle growth takes longer.
MESOMORPH

athletic
hard, muscular body
overly mature appearance
rectangular shaped (hourglass shaped for women)
thick skin
upright posture
gains or loses weight easily
grows muscle quickly.
ENDOMORPH

soft body
flabby
underdeveloped muscles
round shaped
over-developed digestive system
trouble losing weight
generally gains muscle easily.
CONCLUSIONS
When you know which type you are (or which mixture) and diet and exercise correctly for that type, you will make much better progress.

 

[TrackManDave]

Good post STB. pretty much what i was looking for.

Im an ecto-meso leaning toward ecto.

I just was wondering if this big survey had been seen anywhere. But the one above serves well enough.

 

[Scotty the Body]

I've seen it but damnd if I can find it again.

 

[bigss75]

I got a 1.75 good post scotty