Somatotype Introduction

Did you know that people have different body types? William H. Sheldon once proposed that humans have three main biological categories: endomorph, ectomorph, and mesomorph. According to Sheldon, everyone falls into one of these types. Today, we will examine this theory to see if Sheldon’s classifications holds any validity.

If we look around, we can see that people have different body types. Some are tall, some are short, and some are athletic, which lends credence to Sheldon’s claims. Although this theory is often rejected by scientists, we will use it as a guide to examine the differences among the three types.

Ectomorph: a skinny or lean body type with less body fat and muscle, and a difficulty gaining weight or muscle.

Endomorph: a chunky or soft body type with more stored fat, lots of muscle, and a tendency to gain weight easily. Note: a poor lifestyle can make anyone fat. Being fat or overweight does not necessarily mean someone is an endomorph. Endomorphs are naturally stocky, which is visible from an early age.

Mesomorph: an athletic or strong body type with wide shoulders and narrow hips, and the ability to easily gain muscle mass. Mesomorphs respond very well to working out, regardless of their current weight.

The book “The Biggest Lie in Fitness” breaks down these types and also defines body shapes to detail the different ways that people should approach diet, exercise, and rest. Everyone has a unique body, and we believe that your fitness regimen should reflect that.

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